On my system, I run two operating systems: Windows 10 & Ubuntu 17.10. Also, there is a data partition (NTFS) for things like music, documents, etc. Ignoring things like the small EFI partitions that windows needs for some reason, the layout on disk roughly looks like this:
C: Windows (labelled Boot) > D: Data > Ubuntu
The data partition was too small as I was unable to shrink the Windows partition further. Files at the end of the partition were in the way. Eventually, I got so frustrated with Windows inability to shrink the partition by moving the files out of the way that I used third-party software. With Aomei Partition Assistant, I accomplished the task and freed up space between my Windows and Data partitions.
As always when you do anything like this, something has to break. In this case, my Ubuntu partition was completely removed. I created a bootable device and ran TestDisk as per the step by step instructions.
At this point, I did not understand, that this software defaults to marking all the partitions as Deleted. So after my first attempt of recovering one partition, I was actually left with all partitions removed. It would have been really nice if TestDisk didn't change my perfectly fine partitions.
I did manage to backup my data, but all my partitions are still gone and I am unable to recover them myself.
Partition Layout:
I tried to reconstruct my partition layout by looking at the same computer that doesn't have the extra data and Ubuntu partition. This should be correct:
- /dev/sda1: Recovery Partition 1
MS Recovery Environment (System, No Automount)
NTFS - /dev/sda2: ESP Partition 2
EFI System (No Automount)
FAT 32 - /dev/sda3: Partition 3
MS Reserved (No Automount)
Unknown - /dev/sda4: Boot Partition 4
Basic Data
NTFS - /dev/sda5: Data Partition 5
Basic Data
NTFS - /dev/sda6: Ubuntu Partition 6
ext4 - /dev/sda7: Push Button Reset Partition 7
MS Recovery Environment (System, No Automount)
NTFS
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Disk /dev/sda - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
The harddisk (1000 GB / 931 GiB) seems too small! (< 1826 GB / 1701 GiB)
Check the harddisk size: HD jumper settings, BIOS detection...
The following partitions can't be recovered:
Partition Start End Size in sectors
> MS Data 1428251552 3210830751 1782579200
MS Data 1453311127 3235890326 1782579200
MS Data 1784684543 1978580990 193896448
MS Data 1784686591 3567265790 1782579200
[ Continue ]
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 912 GB / 850 GiB
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Disk /dev/sda - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Partition Start End Size in sectors
>P MS Data 2048 1230847 1228800 [Recovery]
P EFI System 1230848 1845247 614400 [EFI System Partition] [ESP]
D MS Data 2107392 1365267626 1363160235 [Boot]
D MS Data 2107392 1784686591 1782579200 [Boot]
D MS Data 1384472187 1384478360 6174
D MS Data 1384478360 1384484533 6174
D EFI System 1453770464 1453775327 4864 [EFI System Partition] [NO NAME]
D Mac HFS 1469365381 1741759690 272394310
D MS Data 1590788096 1784684543 193896448 [Data]
D MS Data 1784686592 1920208895 135522304
D MS Data 1886894081 1920208896 33314816
D MS Data 1920208896 1953523711 33314816 [Push Button Reset]
Partitions 3 and 4 are the same, I can list the files on both. That's Windows. Partition 3 represents the size that matches the point after using Aomei Partition Assist. Partition 4 represents the size before using that software.
I can only set these to Primary. Neither Logical nor Boot. The same is true for every single partition that is listed.
I don't know what's up with partitions 5, 6 or 7 in that list. Number 8 represents the free space that was removed from the Windows partition when I shrunk it.
Finally, number 9 is my data partition, number 10 the Ubuntu one. Number 11 is the Push Button Reset partition.
What's next?
I tried switching some partitions to primary and see what it does. Really, nothing good or bad. Selecting the Windows Boot Manager just shows a Windows Recovery screen. Pressing F1 to enter some recovery mode does ... absolutely nothing. The Ubuntu boot manager is still completely gone. No signs of it.
I'm really lost and I hate software now. Any pointers are appreciated.