recovering previous data on reused HDD

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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SokerDuMig
Posts: 2
Joined: 08 Jan 2020, 15:48

recovering previous data on reused HDD

#1 Post by SokerDuMig »

I was suggested testdisk ( in the MX Liinux forum to recover from my mistake then installling MX Linux ( on a previous Debian server).
Here is my text:
I've been a Debian user for some year and wanted to try something new.
However the installation procedure for MX Linux was different and I wasn't that focused.
So I found out that the System partition have been installed on another HDD. Previously approx 6TB data in ext4 format. ie it is still ext4 format, but........ :-( :bawling:
Is there a tool to recover the data on this very large HDD?
I still have the XFCE-Debian installation working (depending on that HDD I boot from).
My guess is, that if there is a way/tool it should be work from the old Debian system??
The step by step procedure I've found does not cover this.
But I guess there is ??

recuperation
Posts: 2719
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: recovering previous data on reused HDD

#2 Post by recuperation »

Your case does not differ from anybody else who has partly overwritten a hard drive.
Try Testdisk and if that fails there is still Photorec left.

SokerDuMig
Posts: 2
Joined: 08 Jan 2020, 15:48

Re: recovering previous data on reused HDD

#3 Post by SokerDuMig »

recuperation wrote: 08 Jan 2020, 20:53 Your case does not differ from anybody else who has partly overwritten a hard drive.
Try Testdisk and if that fails there is still Photorec left.
Okey, thanks.
But I thought that as I now have some files written ( the System partition ) on "on top" of it?
So by following the "normal guidelines" , the old information is going to be visiable? and the new files/foulders should not be there?

Is there a youtube video or a step by step instruction somewhere that helps?
The help I have found ( 5)( as I understand) is covering several/general topics.
As the hdd is 8TB, I don't have the posebility to clone it. Ie I like to take a safe route ( if there is one :-) ).
Perhaps my dyslexi is to bad to manage it, but I like to try.
Can someone point out where to start in the TestDisks wiki?

recuperation
Posts: 2719
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: recovering previous data on reused HDD

#4 Post by recuperation »

SokerDuMig wrote: 09 Jan 2020, 13:23 But I thought that as I now have some files written ( the System partition ) on "on top" of it?
So by following the "normal guidelines" , the old information is going to be visiable? and the new files/foulders should not be there?
Any overwritten information is gone.
Is there a youtube video or a step by step instruction somewhere that helps?
The help I have found ( 5)( as I understand) is covering several/general topics.
I don't understand what you mean with "5".
As the hdd is 8TB, I don't have the posebility to clone it. Ie I like to take a safe route ( if there is one :-) ).
Cloning is always part of the safe route.
Can someone point out where to start in the TestDisks wiki?
https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf

Start with the table of contents:
https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

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