Where to begin?
Posted: 12 Sep 2013, 13:01
I would like to restore a windows 7 file system on a laptop using TestDisk. I am new to this tool.
First, let me explain what went wrong. Windows was unable to boot for unknown reasons, and would have to be reinstalled anyway. Therefore I created a bootable USB with the most recent Linux Mint distribution, to see if I could access the windows file system. This was indeed possible, and I decided that I would like to install Mint next to Windows, I knew the installer has this option (but in hindsight, I should have made a backup of the windows files at this point).
However, when the installer started installing Mint, I realised that it didn't ask me if I wanted to install it alongside windows. So I aborted the installation.
When booting from USB now, the hard drive is not recognized (maybe because the installer removed the partition table?) running
gives the following output.
(thus only listing the bootable usb stick)
The thing is, I don't really know where to start since I am not experienced in this area. How damaged would the filesystem be, or is this just a partition table issue? Any pointers to the TestDisk documentation would be greatly appreciated.
If additional details are required, please let me know!
Jacco
First, let me explain what went wrong. Windows was unable to boot for unknown reasons, and would have to be reinstalled anyway. Therefore I created a bootable USB with the most recent Linux Mint distribution, to see if I could access the windows file system. This was indeed possible, and I decided that I would like to install Mint next to Windows, I knew the installer has this option (but in hindsight, I should have made a backup of the windows files at this point).
However, when the installer started installing Mint, I realised that it didn't ask me if I wanted to install it alongside windows. So I aborted the installation.
When booting from USB now, the hard drive is not recognized (maybe because the installer removed the partition table?) running
Code: Select all
mint@mint ~ $ sudo fdisk -lCode: Select all
Disk /dev/sda: 16.1 GB, 16058941440 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1952 cylinders, total 31365120 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x04dd5721
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 31365119 15682528+ c W95 FAT32 (LBA)The thing is, I don't really know where to start since I am not experienced in this area. How damaged would the filesystem be, or is this just a partition table issue? Any pointers to the TestDisk documentation would be greatly appreciated.
If additional details are required, please let me know!
Jacco
