help repairing FAT32 external HD

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Author
rheemixed
Posts: 8
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:50

help repairing FAT32 external HD

#1 Post by rheemixed »

Hi guys,

First of all, I'd like to say that I'm not very tech-savvy, so I apologize in advance! Please try to keep your explanations very simple.

When I plugged in my external HD yesterday, it kept saying I needed to format it, and I was unable to access my files saved there. I didn't have a chance to back up all my most recent files. After a lot of searching, it seems that I need a "partition recovery tool" to fix my drive.

I followed the instructions to try to fix the drive, but I'm kind of stuck right now, and I was hoping you guys could help me out. This is what I've done so far: Advanced -> Choose partition -> Boot -> Rebuild BS

I get a message that says "Extrapolated boot sector and current boot sector are different," and when I select "List", I get a message that says "No file found, filesystem may be damaged". The instructions say that it should list my files here, so I'm a bit concerned.

You guys probably get this question all the time, so I'm sorry for asking. I looked up previous posts on the forums, but it seemed like there were small differences in all the cases, and I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if those differences are significant. Thanks for the help!

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#2 Post by Fiona »

I'm not a tech-savvy either! :)
Please confirm in TestDisk through until you see the menu Analyse (your affected disk must be selected).
Would it be possible to upload a screenshot from Analyse (there should be a description "current partition structur").

Fiona

rheemixed
Posts: 8
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:50

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#3 Post by rheemixed »

Hi Fiona,

Here's the page after "Analyze"
Attachments
analyze.png
analyze.png (24 KiB) Viewed 11570 times

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#4 Post by Fiona »

I assumed that your partition might be wrong?
That's why the menu Advanced cannot work correctly.
Your current partition size is only 1 GB out of 500 GB.
It's advisable tu run Quick Search and if nothing will be found Deeper Search also.
On your last screen press enter to start Quick Search.
If there starts a question about vista, press enter to proceed.
I'd need the screen if Quick Search is finished.
You can recognize it, if you see "Result".

rheemixed
Posts: 8
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:50

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#5 Post by rheemixed »

kk I'll do that.

When I tried running quick search/deeper search before, it took ~3hrs each, so I'll get back to you after they are finished. Thanks for the help.

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#6 Post by Fiona »

If Quick Search finds your Partition, you can press p to list your files.
Then Deeper Search woudn't be necessary.
If you see an error mesaage, please let me know.

rheemixed
Posts: 8
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:50

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#7 Post by rheemixed »

Finished quick search. Here are the results. I started deeper search as a result.
Attachments
deeper search.png
deeper search.png (30.06 KiB) Viewed 11557 times

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#8 Post by Fiona »

Please run Deeper Search.
If the scan is finished, please upload a screen.
Don't press enter to proceed.
Don't close TestDisk. otherwise it might be possible that you must repeat that scan.
If a partition is found, please check it and press p to list files.
To go back to the previous screen, press q for Quit.
Please let me know, did you see your files or an error message?

Fiona

rheemixed
Posts: 8
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:50

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#9 Post by rheemixed »

Deeper search just finished. Screen picture is attached.

I can see my files when I press "p", though some of them are colored red, while others are white. How should I proceed?
Attachments
deeper search results.png
deeper search results.png (17.88 KiB) Viewed 11552 times

User avatar
Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: help repairing FAT32 external HD

#10 Post by Fiona »

Your partition is too small!
Only 1 GB.
I assume that you used your complete space before?

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