Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#1 Post by HanLi »

Hey There

My computer completely ****ed itself a few days ago and after narrowing down the problem I've been using test disk to try and repair some partitions.

After having to restart the scanning a few times (very annoying) I finally got to the part where you assign the boot, Primary, Logical thing with the partitions before you repair.

It isn't as straightforward as I would like though as there are six partitions on the drive (Dell....)

Now I really don't want to screw this up so I need help in figuring out which is which.

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, April 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30401 255 63
     Partition               Start        End    Size in sectors
>* Dell Utility             0   1  1    10 254 63     176652 [DellUtility]
 D FAT32 LBA               11   0  1  4188 254 63   67119570 [NO NAME]
 D HPFS - NTFS             11  23 13  1316 129 29   20971520 [RECOVERY]
 P HPFS - NTFS           1316 129 30 30074 207 21  462002176 [OS]
 D HPFS - NTFS          19382  96 43 19382 226 44       8192 [Boot]
 D FAT32 LBA            30074 239 54 30401  42 41    5240832 [MEDIADIRECT]
I was able to change the DellUtility partition type to its proper one, but have absoulutely no idea how to assign the others. I already messed around with them so the things listed are not the defaults given.

"OS" partition is the C drive of our PC and "Recovery" is the D Drive, those two are listed when you open Computer in windows.

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1720 and running Windows Vista if that helps.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#2 Post by Fiona »

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1720 and running Windows Vista if that helps.
Yes it helped a lot.
It's a notebook and might be possible that your disk geometry is changed.
Just to determine the reason why your geometry is changed, do you use that disk on USB?
In case it would be possible to edit your geometry values to have another diagnose.
Your No Name-FAT32-partition overlaps your Recovery and probably is not needed?
Also strange is your Boot partition?

But now, please let me know, do you diagnose your disk on USB?

HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#3 Post by HanLi »

Hi Fiona

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure what you mean by "diagnose on usb". The disk I analysed is an Internal Hard drive inside the laptop. But I'm running TestDisk on an Ubuntu Live USB to diagnose it.

I'm not too sure about Geometry and stuff as I'm not that tech savvy so I'll have a look at what it is on google

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#4 Post by Fiona »

The disk I analysed is an Internal Hard drive inside the laptop. But I'm running TestDisk on an Ubuntu Live USB to diagnose it.
If your disk is internal, then it should be Ok.
There is nothing to change.
Just leave it as it is.
Some more information are appreciated!
ThatNo Name- FAT32-partition, do you have any use for?
Looks like that's a remnant found by TestDisk.
Also, Do you have any idea about your Boot partition?
It's a preetty small one.
Actually, Vista doesn't use a different boot partition.

HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#5 Post by HanLi »

Thanks for your reply.

The main problem is, I messed with the types so they are different from the default types, so do I need to change the types or just leave them as they are.

The only two Partitions I used are OS and Recovery, which are the C and D drives on my PC.

Mediadirect is for the thing which allows you to watch movies and listen to music without starting windows.

DellUtility is some dell thing, and I have No idea what the NoName and Boot Drives are for.

So, what types would each Partition be. I'm assuming that OS and Recovery are Primary, NoName is Deleted, and Dell Utility is boot? Or is OS the boot drive seeing as windows is installed on OS?

HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#6 Post by HanLi »

I have taken a few punts and I am guessing that Media Direct and OS are both bootable, while RECOVERY is a Primary status. What would you think DellUtility is and do I just leave Boot and Noname as Deleted?

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#7 Post by Fiona »

Ok lets have a try.
Dell Utility is already set, so there is no further action requrired to explain it.
I'll set all your Partition and write Infos!
Just correct the partitions, as you can see it here;

P Dell Utility 0 1 1 10 254 63 176652 [DellUtility]
Dell Utility is correct and contains some tools for recovery and diagnose purposes.
The partition type Dell Utility is not visible to Vista, it's on purpose that Vista and users don't change anything.
You don't boot from this partition, set it only as P for primary.
You can see it at the left.

P HPFS - NTFS 11 23 13 1316 129 29 20971520 [RECOVERY]
It's your recovery partition and should be hidden also.
My last cases were not on brand new dell Laptops.
That's why I can't call to mind that Dell changed anything about the recovery partition type.
But I know, Dell used for the Recovery partition, partition type CP/M.
Please check your Recovery partition.
Press T to change Partition type.
Press enter to continue.
At the right your cursor is blinking.
Write db for that CP/M-partition type.
If you know that Dell uses today Windows Re (store), type 27.
But this is only guessing around, because I didn't see your original partition table.
This is important, that Vista doesnt get any access to this partition either, because it will add a drive letter and your drive letter from Vista might be changed also.
Vista will not boot anymore, because it doesn't find the path.
You don't boot from your Recovery partition, that's why it's only primary.

* HPFS - NTFS 1316 129 30 30074 207 21 462002176 [OS]
This is your partition were you boot from.
Set it to * (Star) for active and bootable.

P FAT32 LBA 30074 239 54 30401 42 41 5240832 [MEDIADIRECT]
Easily set it to primary also.
Most notebook and laptop manufacturer using primary partitions only.
This partition goes to the end of the disk.
So it wouldnt be possible to add another logical partition.

Your Boot partition is ignored.

Press enter to proceed.

Confirm at Write with enter and y.
Close TestDisk using Quit and restart your laptop
If you experience any problems about boot, please let me know.

HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#8 Post by HanLi »

Thanks for your long reply!

My computer is a bit better now but will still not start. Before after the BIOS screen it would just be black, but now the option for "Launch Windows Normally" and "Startup Repair" come up. I chose Startup repair but it doesn't work, it loads windows then just hangs on a black screen.

My windows Vista disk will not load either, it has the windows loading files thing, then also hangs on a black screen.

An also my Ubuntu will not start now either, it just keeps on the Ubuntu is loading thing, I'm not sure if that is a problem with the USB Ubuntu is installed on, or the computer itself.

I followed your insturctions, and set recovery to CP/M.

I might have to go to a technician.

Any help is appreciated?

HanLi
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 Apr 2012, 08:55

Re: Assigning Partition Types (Primary, Backup etc)

#9 Post by HanLi »

Hey Fiona, I took my laptop to see a techie and he said the Hard Disk has failed, but fortunately he was able to get everything off of it.

I just want to thank you heaps for all the free support you have given me and for taking time to write the replies. Its great that there are people like you willing to help people for no cost and sometimes no thanks.

So thank you and I hope you have a great week!

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