WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Author
aagnie
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 13:38

WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#1 Post by aagnie »

Hi ,

I have been working with testdisk and my brothers external WD HDD. He has been using it for backup and needs the content but windows is unable to use the disk and keeps saying "You need to format disk..:". I have tried Mac and Linux as well.

So I have been able to copy pictures and movies clips using TestDisk (thanks!) - but before formating the disk I am wondering what is wrong with the disk
When I look at the disk (see below) the backup boot sector is bad - but when I try to copy it from the boot sector - I get write error !

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, March 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
     Partition                  Start        End    Size in sectors
 1 * FAT32 LBA                0   1  1 121600 254 63 1953520002 [Elements]

Boot sector
OK

Backup boot sector
fat32_boot_sector: Can't read backup boot sector.
Bad

First sectors (Boot code and partition information) are not identical.
Second sectors (cluster information) are not identical.
Third sectors (Second part of boot code) are not identical.

A valid FAT Boot sector must be present in order to access
any data; even if the partition is not bootable.


 [  Quit  ]  [  List  ] >[Org. BS ]  [Rebuild BS]  [  Dump  ]
                      Copy boot sector over backup sector
Result of copy:

Code: Select all

"Write error: Can't overwrite FAT32 backup boot sector"
Any clue ?

Best regards
Aage

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

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#2 Post by Fiona »

In few cases I've seen this message, it was not possible to copy the boot sector over the backup of the boot sector.
Also, some users tried to repair their backup from the boot sector.
After copying the boot sector over its backup, partition appeared as RAW.
In some cases chkdsk /r helped to solve that issue!
In this case, I only suggest to sync a backup of a boot sector if there is any reason for.
Before someone uses chkdsk, I suggest to have a backup first.
Should be a normal maintenance, like backup, chkdsk and defrag.

aagnie
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 13:38

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#3 Post by aagnie »

Hmm strange - tried the chkdsk way

Code: Select all

C:\Windows\system32>fsutil fsinfo drives

Drives: C:\ D:\ E:\

C:\Windows\system32>chkdsk e: /r
The type of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.

No luck.

I have checked/tried the recovery example on the wiki - but the "write error...:" appears again.

/aage

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

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#4 Post by Fiona »

I'd need infos from TestDisk Analyse and Quick Search.
Under Quick Search, press p to list your data.
I'll compare your partition table to the results under Quick Search.

Code: Select all

CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
I'ts strange, normally TestDisk displays data if at least the boot sector or it's backup is ok.
In your case your boot sector is OK, but your backup of the boot sector not.
In this case, your data should be avilable and chkdsk should be possible.

aagnie
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 13:38

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#5 Post by aagnie »

I have done the analyse and quick search part.

The output:

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, March 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
     Partition               Start        End    Size in sectors

Keys A: add partition, L: load backup, Enter: to continue
When hitting enter:

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, March 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63

     Partition                  Start        End    Size in sectors


No partition found or selected for recovery

 [  Quit  ] >[Deeper Search]
                          Try to find more partitions
I have tried the "Load backup" with no luck - so I need to add a partion or ?

Regards
Aage

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

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#6 Post by Fiona »

Using the menu Advanced found your boot sector.
But it looks like that Quick and Deeper Search didn't find it.
Your partition should be in your partition table, otherwise Advanced wouldn't list it.
Got to the menu Advanced and Boot.
Check how your boot sector is listed.
Please upload a screen.
Might be possible to use Rebuild BS.

Information will follow.

Fiona

aagnie
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 13:38

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#7 Post by aagnie »

Hi ,

The boot sector is aparently ok as listed below.

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, March 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
     Partition                  Start        End    Size in sectors
 1 * FAT32 LBA                0   1  1 121600 254 63 1953520002 [Element

Boot sector
OK

Backup boot sector
fat32_boot_sector: Can't read backup boot sector.
Bad

First sectors (Boot code and partition information) are not identical.
Second sectors (cluster information) are not identical.
Third sectors (Second part of boot code) are not identical.

A valid FAT Boot sector must be present in order to access
any data; even if the partition is not bootable.


 [  Quit  ]  [  List  ] >[Org. BS ]  [Rebuild BS]  [  Dump  ]
                      Copy boot sector over backup sector
Really weird ;-)

Regards
Aage

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

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#8 Post by Fiona »

Would it be possible to use Rebuild BS?
When it was successful, you'll see the menu List.
Do you see your data or an error message?
Please let me know.
If your data are listed, I'd suggest to copy them to another intact partition or disk.
Don't use Write at the moment.

aagnie
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 13:38

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#9 Post by aagnie »

The output from "Rebuild bs"

Code: Select all

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, March 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
     Partition                  Start        End    Size in sectors
 1 * FAT32 LBA                0   1  1 121600 254 63 1953520002 [Elements]

Boot sector
OK

Backup boot sector
fat32_boot_sector: Can't read backup boot sector.
Bad

First sectors (Boot code and partition information) are not identical.
Second sectors (cluster information) are not identical.
Third sectors (Second part of boot code) are not identical.

A valid FAT Boot sector must be present in order to access
any data; even if the partition is not bootable.


>[  Quit  ]  [  List  ]  [Org. BS ]  [Rebuild BS]  [  Dump  ]
                            Return to Advanced menu
As far as I can see - all the files are present when choosing "List" - as I mentioned earlier - copying files is not a problem - I have copied all the pictures and some video to another drive.

Regards
/Aage

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

Re: WD USB HDD "You need to format disk...."

#10 Post by Fiona »

Looks like Rebuild BS easily goes back to the previous screen.
It was intended to get a different result, so that chkdsk might work.
But it didn't work either.
In your case if you copied/backup your data, the format your harddisk and copy data back.

Fiona

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