Mistakenly flashed an OS over an SD Card with an existing partition

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Author
rramphal
Posts: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2020, 22:03

Mistakenly flashed an OS over an SD Card with an existing partition

#1 Post by rramphal »

Hi everyone!

I had an SD card with one partition (apparently it was Mac HFS formatted – I can't remember, but that is what TestDisk says). I mistakenly picked it to flash to create a LiveUSB which destroyed the original filesystem and overwrote about 1-2 GB of data. I don't care at all about the LiveUSB partition, and even about losing some of the original data. I'm just hoping to get as much recovered as possible.

I used TestDisk 7.1. I selected the appropriate rdisk (on MacOS) and TestDisk detected EFI GPT for the partition table. Then I ran Analyse, first Quick Search and then Deeper Search. Both times, I got the result that there were Mac HFS partitions that could not be recovered. It also reported sizes that were way bigger than the drive itself. I didn't really know what do do from there, so I quit out, and tried running PhotoRec.

PhotoRec was able to find files from the original partition (yay!), but without their original names. I know that is what PhotoRec does, but if there is any way to recover the original directory structure, that would save me a LOT of time. I quit out of PhotoRec in favor of asking for some help here before continuing.

Here is the log from the TestDisk run:

Code: Select all

Sun Sep 27 01:20:15 2020
Command line: TestDisk

TestDisk 7.1, Data Recovery Utility, July 2019
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
https://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Darwin, kernel 19.6.0 (Darwin Kernel Version 19.6.0: Thu Jun 18 20:49:00 PDT 2020; root:xnu-6153.141.1~1/RELEASE_X86_64) x86_64
Compiler: GCC 4.2
ext2fs lib: none, ntfs lib: none, reiserfs lib: none, ewf lib: none, curses lib: ncurses 5.7
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/disk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors, sector size=512
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors, sector size=512

Partition table type (auto): EFI GPT
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB
Partition table type: EFI GPT
Partition table type (auto): EFI GPT
Partition table type (auto): EFI GPT
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB
Partition table type: EFI GPT

Interface Advanced
hdr_size=92
hdr_lba_self=1
hdr_lba_alt=488552447 (expected 488552447)
hdr_lba_start=34
hdr_lba_end=488552414
hdr_lba_table=2
hdr_entries=128
hdr_entsz=128
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]
gpt_change_part_type
Change partition type:
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]
Change partition type:
 1 P Unknown                     2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]

Analyse Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
hdr_size=92
hdr_lba_self=1
hdr_lba_alt=488552447 (expected 488552447)
hdr_lba_start=34
hdr_lba_end=488552414
hdr_lba_table=2
hdr_entries=128
hdr_entsz=128
Current partition structure:
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]

search_part()
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)

FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6752
     EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
check_FAT: Bad number of sectors per cluster

LVM magic value at 119950619/0/1

LVM magic value at 119950875/0/1

HFS magic value at 121565845/0/1
part_size 1761739010
     Mac HFS                121565845 1883304854 1761739010
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 902 GB / 840 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=121565845, size=1761739010, end=1883304854, disk end=488552448)

HFS magic value at 121565847/0/1

HFS magic value at 130066204/0/1
part_size 2040004866
     Mac HFS                130066204 2170071069 2040004866
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 1044 GB / 972 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=130066204, size=2040004866, end=2170071069, disk end=488552448)

HFS magic value at 130066206/0/1
       0 0000 0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
     Unknown                181199776 1628878407 1447678632
     FATX, 741 GB / 690 GiB
       0 0000 0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Partition not added.

LVM magic value at 323921532/0/1
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
Check the harddisk size: HD jumper settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (250 GB / 232 GiB) seems too small! (< 1111 GB / 1034 GiB)
The following partitions can't be recovered:
     Mac HFS                121565845 1883304854 1761739010
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 902 GB / 840 GiB
     Mac HFS                130066204 2170071069 2040004866
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 1044 GB / 972 GiB

Results
   P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB

interface_write()
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]

search_part()
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)

FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6752
     EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
FAT32 at 2054/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 2054/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6752
     EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [Tails]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
FAT32 at 2054/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 2054/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6758
FAT: cluster=771(0x303), pos=12910
FAT: cluster=1540(0x604), pos=19062
     MS Data                     2054    2394117    2392064 [Tails]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
FAT32 at 2060/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 2060/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6764
FAT: cluster=1539(0x603), pos=19060
FAT: cluster=3076(0xc04), pos=31356
FAT: cluster=4613(0x1205), pos=43652
FAT: cluster=6150(0x1806), pos=55948
FAT: cluster=7687(0x1e07), pos=68244
FAT: cluster=9224(0x2408), pos=80540
FAT: cluster=10761(0x2a09), pos=92836
FAT: cluster=12298(0x300a), pos=105132
FAT: cluster=13835(0x360b), pos=117428
FAT: cluster=15372(0x3c0c), pos=129724
FAT: cluster=16909(0x420d), pos=142020
FAT: cluster=18446(0x480e), pos=154316
FAT: cluster=19983(0x4e0f), pos=166612
FAT: cluster=21520(0x5410), pos=178908
FAT: cluster=23057(0x5a11), pos=191204
FAT: cluster=24594(0x6012), pos=203500
FAT: cluster=26131(0x6613), pos=215796
FAT: cluster=27668(0x6c14), pos=228092
FAT: cluster=29205(0x7215), pos=240388
FAT: cluster=30742(0x7816), pos=252684
FAT: cluster=32279(0x7e17), pos=264980
FAT: cluster=33816(0x8418), pos=277276
FAT: cluster=35353(0x8a19), pos=289572
FAT: cluster=36890(0x901a), pos=301868
FAT: cluster=38427(0x961b), pos=314164
FAT: cluster=39964(0x9c1c), pos=326460
FAT: cluster=41501(0xa21d), pos=338756
FAT: cluster=43038(0xa81e), pos=351052
FAT: cluster=44575(0xae1f), pos=363348
FAT: cluster=46112(0xb420), pos=375644
FAT: cluster=47649(0xba21), pos=387940
FAT: cluster=49186(0xc022), pos=400236
FAT: cluster=50723(0xc623), pos=412532
FAT: cluster=52260(0xcc24), pos=424828
FAT: cluster=53797(0xd225), pos=437124
FAT: cluster=55334(0xd826), pos=449420
FAT: cluster=56871(0xde27), pos=461716
FAT: cluster=58408(0xe428), pos=474012
FAT: cluster=59945(0xea29), pos=486308
FAT: cluster=61482(0xf02a), pos=498604
FAT: cluster=63019(0xf62b), pos=510900
FAT: cluster=64556(0xfc2c), pos=523196
FAT: cluster=66093(0x1022d), pos=535492
FAT: cluster=67630(0x1082e), pos=547788
FAT: cluster=69167(0x10e2f), pos=560084
FAT: cluster=70704(0x11430), pos=572380
FAT: cluster=72241(0x11a31), pos=584676
FAT: cluster=73778(0x12032), pos=596972
FAT: cluster=75315(0x12633), pos=609268
FAT: cluster=76852(0x12c34), pos=621564
FAT: cluster=78389(0x13235), pos=633860
FAT: cluster=79926(0x13836), pos=646156
FAT: cluster=81463(0x13e37), pos=658452
FAT: cluster=83000(0x14438), pos=670748
FAT: cluster=84537(0x14a39), pos=683044
FAT: cluster=86074(0x1503a), pos=695340
FAT: cluster=87611(0x1563b), pos=707636
FAT: cluster=89148(0x15c3c), pos=719932
FAT: cluster=90685(0x1623d), pos=732228
FAT: cluster=92222(0x1683e), pos=744524
FAT: cluster=93759(0x16e3f), pos=756820
FAT: cluster=95296(0x17440), pos=769116
FAT: cluster=96833(0x17a41), pos=781412
FAT: cluster=98370(0x18042), pos=793708
FAT: cluster=99907(0x18643), pos=806004
FAT: cluster=101444(0x18c44), pos=818300
FAT: cluster=102981(0x19245), pos=830596
FAT: cluster=104518(0x19846), pos=842892
FAT: cluster=106055(0x19e47), pos=855188
FAT: cluster=107592(0x1a448), pos=867484
FAT: cluster=109129(0x1aa49), pos=879780
FAT: cluster=110666(0x1b04a), pos=892076
FAT: cluster=112203(0x1b64b), pos=904372
FAT: cluster=113740(0x1bc4c), pos=916668
FAT: cluster=115277(0x1c24d), pos=928964
FAT: cluster=116814(0x1c84e), pos=941260
FAT: cluster=118351(0x1ce4f), pos=953556
FAT: cluster=119888(0x1d450), pos=965852
FAT: cluster=121425(0x1da51), pos=978148
FAT: cluster=122962(0x1e052), pos=990444
FAT: cluster=124499(0x1e653), pos=1002740
FAT: cluster=126036(0x1ec54), pos=1015036
FAT: cluster=127573(0x1f255), pos=1027332
FAT: cluster=129110(0x1f856), pos=1039628
FAT: cluster=130647(0x1fe57), pos=1051924
FAT: cluster=132184(0x20458), pos=1064220
FAT: cluster=133721(0x20a59), pos=1076516
FAT: cluster=135258(0x2105a), pos=1088812
FAT: cluster=136795(0x2165b), pos=1101108
FAT: cluster=138332(0x21c5c), pos=1113404
FAT: cluster=139869(0x2225d), pos=1125700
FAT: cluster=141406(0x2285e), pos=1137996
FAT: cluster=142943(0x22e5f), pos=1150292
FAT: cluster=144480(0x23460), pos=1162588
FAT: cluster=146017(0x23a61), pos=1174884
FAT: cluster=147554(0x24062), pos=1187180
FAT: cluster=149091(0x24663), pos=1199476
FAT: cluster=150628(0x24c64), pos=1211772
FAT: cluster=152165(0x25265), pos=1224068
FAT: cluster=153702(0x25866), pos=1236364
FAT: cluster=155239(0x25e67), pos=1248660
FAT: cluster=156776(0x26468), pos=1260956
FAT: cluster=158313(0x26a69), pos=1273252
FAT: cluster=159850(0x2706a), pos=1285548
FAT: cluster=161387(0x2766b), pos=1297844
FAT: cluster=162924(0x27c6c), pos=1310140
FAT: cluster=164461(0x2826d), pos=1322436
FAT: cluster=165998(0x2886e), pos=1334732
FAT: cluster=167535(0x28e6f), pos=1347028
FAT: cluster=169072(0x29470), pos=1359324
FAT: cluster=170609(0x29a71), pos=1371620
FAT: cluster=172146(0x2a072), pos=1383916
FAT: cluster=173683(0x2a673), pos=1396212
FAT: cluster=175220(0x2ac74), pos=1408508
FAT: cluster=176757(0x2b275), pos=1420804
FAT: cluster=178294(0x2b876), pos=1433100
FAT: cluster=179831(0x2be77), pos=1445396
FAT: cluster=181368(0x2c478), pos=1457692
FAT: cluster=182905(0x2ca79), pos=1469988
FAT: cluster=184442(0x2d07a), pos=1482284
FAT: cluster=185979(0x2d67b), pos=1494580
FAT: cluster=187516(0x2dc7c), pos=1506876
FAT: cluster=189053(0x2e27d), pos=1519172
FAT: cluster=190590(0x2e87e), pos=1531468
FAT: cluster=192127(0x2ee7f), pos=1543764
FAT: cluster=193664(0x2f480), pos=1556060
FAT: cluster=195201(0x2fa81), pos=1568356
FAT: cluster=196738(0x30082), pos=1580652
FAT: cluster=198275(0x30683), pos=1592948
FAT: cluster=199812(0x30c84), pos=1605244
FAT: cluster=201349(0x31285), pos=1617540
FAT: cluster=202886(0x31886), pos=1629836
FAT: cluster=204423(0x31e87), pos=1642132
FAT: cluster=205960(0x32488), pos=1654428
FAT: cluster=207497(0x32a89), pos=1666724
FAT: cluster=209034(0x3308a), pos=1679020
FAT: cluster=210571(0x3368b), pos=1691316
FAT: cluster=212108(0x33c8c), pos=1703612
FAT: cluster=213645(0x3428d), pos=1715908
FAT: cluster=215182(0x3488e), pos=1728204
FAT: cluster=216719(0x34e8f), pos=1740500
FAT: cluster=218256(0x35490), pos=1752796
FAT: cluster=219793(0x35a91), pos=1765092
FAT: cluster=221330(0x36092), pos=1777388
FAT: cluster=222867(0x36693), pos=1789684
FAT: cluster=224404(0x36c94), pos=1801980
FAT: cluster=225941(0x37295), pos=1814276
FAT: cluster=227478(0x37896), pos=1826572
FAT: cluster=229015(0x37e97), pos=1838868
FAT: cluster=230552(0x38498), pos=1851164
FAT: cluster=232089(0x38a99), pos=1863460
FAT: cluster=233626(0x3909a), pos=1875756
FAT: cluster=235163(0x3969b), pos=1888052
FAT: cluster=236700(0x39c9c), pos=1900348
FAT: cluster=238237(0x3a29d), pos=1912644
FAT: cluster=239774(0x3a89e), pos=1924940
FAT: cluster=241311(0x3ae9f), pos=1937236
FAT: cluster=242848(0x3b4a0), pos=1949532
FAT: cluster=244385(0x3baa1), pos=1961828
FAT: cluster=245922(0x3c0a2), pos=1974124
FAT: cluster=247459(0x3c6a3), pos=1986420
FAT: cluster=248996(0x3cca4), pos=1998716
FAT: cluster=250533(0x3d2a5), pos=2011012
FAT: cluster=252070(0x3d8a6), pos=2023308
FAT: cluster=253607(0x3dea7), pos=2035604
FAT: cluster=255144(0x3e4a8), pos=2047900
FAT: cluster=256681(0x3eaa9), pos=2060196
FAT: cluster=258218(0x3f0aa), pos=2072492
FAT: cluster=259755(0x3f6ab), pos=2084788
FAT: cluster=261292(0x3fcac), pos=2097084
FAT: cluster=262829(0x402ad), pos=2109380
FAT: cluster=264366(0x408ae), pos=2121676
FAT: cluster=265903(0x40eaf), pos=2133972
FAT: cluster=267440(0x414b0), pos=2146268
FAT: cluster=268977(0x41ab1), pos=2158564
FAT: cluster=270514(0x420b2), pos=2170860
FAT: cluster=272051(0x426b3), pos=2183156
FAT: cluster=273588(0x42cb4), pos=2195452
FAT: cluster=275125(0x432b5), pos=2207748
FAT: cluster=276662(0x438b6), pos=2220044
FAT: cluster=278199(0x43eb7), pos=2232340
FAT: cluster=279736(0x444b8), pos=2244636
FAT: cluster=281273(0x44ab9), pos=2256932
FAT: cluster=282810(0x450ba), pos=2269228
FAT: cluster=284347(0x456bb), pos=2281524
FAT: cluster=285884(0x45cbc), pos=2293820
FAT: cluster=287421(0x462bd), pos=2306116
FAT: cluster=288958(0x468be), pos=2318412
FAT: cluster=290495(0x46ebf), pos=2330708
FAT: cluster=292032(0x474c0), pos=2343004
FAT: cluster=293569(0x47ac1), pos=2355300
FAT: cluster=295106(0x480c2), pos=2367596
FAT: cluster=296643(0x486c3), pos=2379892
     MS Data                     2060    2394123    2392064 [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
check_FAT: Bad number of sectors per cluster

LVM magic value at 119950619/0/1

LVM magic value at 119950875/0/1

HFS magic value at 121565845/0/1
part_size 1761739010
     Mac HFS                121565845 1883304854 1761739010
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 902 GB / 840 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=121565845, size=1761739010, end=1883304854, disk end=488552448)

HFS magic value at 121565847/0/1

HFS magic value at 130066204/0/1
part_size 2040004866
     Mac HFS                130066204 2170071069 2040004866
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 1044 GB / 972 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=130066204, size=2040004866, end=2170071069, disk end=488552448)

HFS magic value at 130066206/0/1
       0 0000 0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
     Unknown                181199776 1628878407 1447678632
     FATX, 741 GB / 690 GiB
       0 0000 0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Partition not added.

LVM magic value at 323921532/0/1
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
Check the harddisk size: HD jumper settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (250 GB / 232 GiB) seems too small! (< 1111 GB / 1034 GiB)
The following partitions can't be recovered:
     Mac HFS                121565845 1883304854 1761739010
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 902 GB / 840 GiB
     Mac HFS                130066204 2170071069 2040004866
     HFS blocksize=16777216, 1044 GB / 972 GiB

Results
     EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
     MS Data                     2054    2394117    2392064 [Tails]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
     MS Data                     2060    2394123    2392064 [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB

interface_write()
 
No partition found or selected for recovery
simulate write!

Analyse Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
hdr_size=92
hdr_lba_self=1
hdr_lba_alt=488552447 (expected 488552447)
hdr_lba_start=34
hdr_lba_end=488552414
hdr_lba_table=2
hdr_entries=128
hdr_entsz=128
Current partition structure:
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]

search_part()
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB - 488552448 sectors
FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT1 : 32-2367
FAT2 : 2368-4703
start_rootdir : 4704 root cluster : 2
Data : 4704-2392063
sectors : 2392064
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 298420 (2 - 298421)
fat_length 2336 calculated 2332
heads/cylinder 255 (FAT) != 1 (HD)
sect/track 63 (FAT) != 1 (HD)

FAT32 at 2048/0/1
FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=6752
     EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB
Search for partition aborted

Results
   P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
     FAT32, blocksize=4096, 1224 MB / 1168 MiB

interface_write()
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [EFI System Partition] [TAILS]
simulate write!

Interface Advanced
hdr_size=92
hdr_lba_self=1
hdr_lba_alt=488552447 (expected 488552447)
hdr_lba_start=34
hdr_lba_end=488552414
hdr_lba_table=2
hdr_entries=128
hdr_entsz=128
 1 P EFI System                  2048    2394111    2392064 [Tails]
Partition table type (auto): EFI GPT
Disk /dev/rdisk2 - 250 GB / 232 GiB
Partition table type: None

Interface Advanced
   P Unknown                        0  488552447  488552448
Change partition type:
   P HFS                            0  488552447  488552448

TestDisk exited normally.
Is there any hope for me? I would be very grateful for any help you all could offer!
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recuperation
Posts: 2735
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Mistakenly flashed an OS over an SD Card with an existing partition

#2 Post by recuperation »

rramphal wrote: ↑28 Sep 2020, 22:30 I know that is what PhotoRec does, but if there is any way to recover the original directory structure, that would save me a LOT of time. I quit out of PhotoRec in favor of asking for some help here before continuing.
Try out commercial tools and post about your experience.
The website states:
"TestDisk is powerful free data recovery software! It was primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again"

Testdisk is able to handle some dammage scenarios inside of a few file systems but other software can do more.
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rramphal
Posts: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2020, 22:03

Re: Mistakenly flashed an OS over an SD Card with an existing partition

#3 Post by rramphal »

Thank you recuperation!

Can you help me understand what in the logs lets you know that TestDisk won’t work in my situation? I’ve read other people’s posts on recovering after partial overwrite, so I was hopeful. Is it because it’s an HFS partition? I’m new to all good, so I’m trying to understand it better.

Also, do you have and suggestions for commercial products to try?

Thank you again!
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recuperation
Posts: 2735
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Mistakenly flashed an OS over an SD Card with an existing partition

#4 Post by recuperation »

rramphal wrote: ↑29 Sep 2020, 19:29 Can you help me understand what in the logs lets you know that TestDisk won’t work in my situation?
It's not the log content but your statement about what Testdisk stated after running deep search.
You have to go through the list of partitions after deep search and use the "p"-key ("list files") feature to look if they contain what you are looking for.

I have no experience with current commercial recovery products.
If you don't know what file system has been in use before you overwrote it it is difficult to select the right product anyway.
Testdisk can only show you the status quo and some remains of what has been before but this is only an indication what may have been before.
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