Setting up Testdisk for partition repair
Posted: 21 Dec 2012, 07:52
Good day,
It`s my first real attempt at rescuing data from hard drive at such a large scale. I am wondering if someone could help me figure out what is the best approach to succeed.
I lost a Linear array formated as ext3. I tried several solution to recover data "automaticaly" using tools with more user friendly interface but with no luck beside a few files from one of the drive only. The disks are perfectly healthy, no bad sector and no error when looking at SMART status. When trying to tweak the array I believe I accidently created another one over it. Partition's are intact, drives where not formated or used in any way afterward beside trying to recover data.
I decided to give a chance to testdisk despite my limited knowledge of it. The good news, it sees 2 raid array. My guess was one is the good one, the other the one I made by mistake.
I selected the one I believe was the right one.
Next, testdisk selects NONE
Next, testdisk selects Advanced.
At that point I only have one choice, to create an Image.
My first question, is an Image a good option to recover data? My problem is the following, the Linear array is marked at 3998 GB / 3724 GiB, and I have another one that I could empty of 4000 GB / 3726 GiB and I am not sure the image will fit in.
Nonetheless, I went back, went into geometry and selected sector size of 4096. My drives are WD EARS 2TB with 4K sector.
Second question, is that something that I should select ?
I then triggered the expert mode (I saw someting on the forum on that), selected Analyse. It shows me a Linux LVM2 partition with a message "Structure Ok" at the bottom. It also says that nothing can be written because "NONE was selected.
Now my last questions
I have the Deeper search option. Considering the space I have to cover and the rate of the deeper search, I may have for a good 20hrs of scan to reach the 100%, Is there any benefit to go through the whole Deeper Search ?
Following the deeper search, what will most likely be the next steps or options ?
Thanks a lot for any answer.
Phil
It`s my first real attempt at rescuing data from hard drive at such a large scale. I am wondering if someone could help me figure out what is the best approach to succeed.
I lost a Linear array formated as ext3. I tried several solution to recover data "automaticaly" using tools with more user friendly interface but with no luck beside a few files from one of the drive only. The disks are perfectly healthy, no bad sector and no error when looking at SMART status. When trying to tweak the array I believe I accidently created another one over it. Partition's are intact, drives where not formated or used in any way afterward beside trying to recover data.
I decided to give a chance to testdisk despite my limited knowledge of it. The good news, it sees 2 raid array. My guess was one is the good one, the other the one I made by mistake.
I selected the one I believe was the right one.
Next, testdisk selects NONE
Next, testdisk selects Advanced.
At that point I only have one choice, to create an Image.
My first question, is an Image a good option to recover data? My problem is the following, the Linear array is marked at 3998 GB / 3724 GiB, and I have another one that I could empty of 4000 GB / 3726 GiB and I am not sure the image will fit in.
Nonetheless, I went back, went into geometry and selected sector size of 4096. My drives are WD EARS 2TB with 4K sector.
Second question, is that something that I should select ?
I then triggered the expert mode (I saw someting on the forum on that), selected Analyse. It shows me a Linux LVM2 partition with a message "Structure Ok" at the bottom. It also says that nothing can be written because "NONE was selected.
Now my last questions
I have the Deeper search option. Considering the space I have to cover and the rate of the deeper search, I may have for a good 20hrs of scan to reach the 100%, Is there any benefit to go through the whole Deeper Search ?
Following the deeper search, what will most likely be the next steps or options ?
Thanks a lot for any answer.
Phil