Page 2 of 5

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:10
by Bety
If I press P then appears my files, but a lot of them in red, ¿what does the red files means, they are damaged?
Image

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:20
by Fiona
Ok, I've already seen something that doesn't match
Partition length in your partition table is slightly different to your found one after Quick Search.
Red files are shortly deleted ones.
You can hide them through pressing h on your keyborad, so that you'll only see your current files and folders which appear as white.
Please check do you see all your folders and files?
You can scroll through your list using page up and page down and your up and down arrow keys on your keyboard.
If you'd like to enter a folder, you can select it and use the right arrow key on your keyboard.
Pressing q you'll get back to the previous directory/path.

Fiona

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:25
by Bety
Hello kindly Fiona! I need you, I press P and appears allmost all my files (althougth i don't undertand if "Red files are shortly deleted ones." means that are files that testdisk deleted, or files that i deleted years ago? or files that I want to recover but I would not be able to recover?

Now, what i have to do? It's normal that when i press to "quick search" the disk was not analysed? I will recover all the disk with the files? how can i do that please Fiona?

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:33
by Fiona
There are files which normally you've deleted.
TestDisk is a datarecovery utility and doesn´t delete anything.
You can read the names of the deleted folder and files.
You also can recover them.
But only in case if you need them?
Do you recognize any deleted files?
Do you need them?
Pressing h will only hide and not delete them.
Pressing h again and they will appear again.
But often user which like to recover a partition don't need deleted files.

Fiona

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:34
by Bety
The red files are files that i deleted? then if I deleted them I don't need. I will be able to recover all the files that I don't deleted?

Image

What I must do Fiona? I must to change form "Primary booteable" to "primary" using letter P, or I must leave as "Primary Booteable"?

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:38
by Fiona
If youn don't boot from your external disk you can set it to P for primary only.
But it doesn't matter either.
Because each disk can contain 1 bootable partition.
Do you know how it works?
Use your right or left key on your keyboard and set it to P.

If you've seen all your filers and folder as white colored, I think you can recover your complete partition with all data on it.

You can only recover deleted files through copy them to another healthy disk or partition.
Otherwise, they're not available

Fiona

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:43
by Bety
"Use your right or left key on your keyboard and set it to P."

Hello Fiona, thanks for you support, thanks for stay here, I don't know if I must to change from primary booteable to only primary, I only ask it but I have no idea, this external hard disk contains proyects of my job, I don't start the computer with this external hard dis, then... what do you think? better I leave it as primary booteable or better I change it to primary? (Will this decision have negative effects to recover the disc with the files? I'm very afraid, i don't know

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:52
by Bety
How can i recover the disk with all the white files? What button I have to press? L: Load backup? or what?

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 18:56
by Fiona
As a safe solution you can copy/backup your files first.
In Advance, you can create a folder on another disk/partition where you'd like to copy/backup your data to.
It's always advisable to make a backup first.
When you list your files, at the bottom of your display you'll find all the commands.
You can mark all folder and files which you'd like to recover.
Deleted files should be hidden.
Standard path, where testdisk copies your data is the testdisk folder.
Please keep an eye on enough available space on your target disk.
To choose another target/destination where you'd like to copy your data to, you can check that 2 dots in the upper area of the display and press enter.
Each time, you´ll get on directory up, until you get to your disk selection.
You can select another disk, partiton and folder and enter it!

Fiona

Edit:

Partition recovering.
When your partition appears green, you can set it to P for primary only.
Then easily press enter.
Select Write and conform with enter and yes.
Close testdisk.
Disconnect your external disk and connect it again.
So you can avoid to restart your PC.
Don't run any chkdsk.
Restarting a PC and you have a faulty/dirty file system, it might be possible that chkdsk (autochk) starts automatically.
In case you can press any key to stop it.

Re: You need to format the disk in drive before you can use

Posted: 21 Nov 2015, 19:24
by Bety
After I copied all the files to another external hard disk: Then, for the recover I only must press "write" and I don not have to press L: Load backup?

What Write comand does to recover the external hard disk?

In ehic cases one persona have to press L: Load backup? what does it mean? Thanks you Fiona