New to TestDisk, Double Checking Results

Using TestDisk to repair the filesystem
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Author
RodLockwood
Posts: 8
Joined: 07 Apr 2018, 08:56

New to TestDisk, Double Checking Results

#1 Post by RodLockwood »

I am trying to fix a 2 TB external drive (connected to a different computer) that GParted reported has overlapping partitions that it could not fix. This drive is formatted for ext4 with an MS-DOS MBR. This drive, Limbo, has only one non-bootable partition. At least, it isn’t supposed to be bootable. This is the results from the Deep Scan via Analyse.

Disk /dev/sdd - 2000GB / 1862 GiB - CHS 243197 255 63

The harddisk (2000GB / 1862 GiB) seems too small! (< 4000 GB / 3725 GiB)
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...

The following partitions can't be recovered:
Partition Start End Size in sectors
Fat32 LBA 212632 102 3 442108 34 48 3686527702

HPFS - NTFS 244196 254 63 486393 222 30 3906957757

Next page (#2)
Warning: the current number of heads per cylinder is 255
but the correct value may be 128.
You can use the Geometry menu to change this value.
It's something to try if
- some partitions are not found by TestDisk
- or the partition table can not be written because partitions overlaps.

Next page (#3)
D HPFS - NTFS 0 32 33 243197 25 28 3906959360 [Limbo]
D Linux 0 32 33 243197 57 60 3906961408
D FAT12 85478 104 3 85479 174 7 20480
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 65 58 127445 1 44 204800
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 98 27 188229 125 56 976706636
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 130 59 127558 118 48 2023424
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 163 28 188231 28 31 976728064
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 195 60 127445 131 46 204800
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 228 29 188230 0 58 976706636
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 5 61 127558 248 50 2023424
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 38 30 188231 168 33 976728064
D HPFS - NTFS 127432 70 62 127446 6 48 204800

104 MB / 100 MiB

I am thinking the warning is not important, since it is about a NTFS partition and a FAT partition that I think is bootable (LBA), and there is only one partition listed that is the correct format. I checked the Linux and FAT12 partitions. The Linux is fine, and the FAT12 is okay except the file names are the kind of gibberish you see when looking at binary files in a text editor. I am thinking the FAT12 may be the MBR. Am I correct in thinking that I should mark the Linux partition as the Primary partition, and leave the FAT12 because a new MBR would|should|could be created any way?

My laptop is sitting with page #3 still open.

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cgrenier
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Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 15:08
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Re: New to TestDisk, Double Checking Results

#2 Post by cgrenier »

Do you want to recover the NTFS partition Limbo or the Linux ext4 partition ?
Choose which one to recover and set it as P(rimary). On next screen, choose Write, confirm, Quit and restart your computer.

RodLockwood
Posts: 8
Joined: 07 Apr 2018, 08:56

Re: New to TestDisk, Double Checking Results

#3 Post by RodLockwood »

In other words, my thinking was correct. The only partition that was marked Limbo was the ext4 partition (I made an error and put the tag on the wrong line). So there is nothing else to fix at this point. Thank you, Mr Grenier.

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