USB stick recovery- I've tried all I have read but no luck-- help?

Using TestDisk to repair the filesystem
Forum rules
When asking for technical support:
- Search for posts on the same topic before posting a new question.
- Give clear, specific information in the title of your post.
- Include as many details as you can, MOST POSTS WILL GET ONLY ONE OR TWO ANSWERS.
- Post a follow up with a "Thank you" or "This worked!"
- When you learn something, use that knowledge to HELP ANOTHER USER LATER.
Before posting, please read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf
Locked
Message
Author
geekomatic
Posts: 2
Joined: 28 Jan 2017, 03:59

USB stick recovery- I've tried all I have read but no luck-- help?

#1 Post by geekomatic »

I've just been going in circles. The boot sector is wrong but I can't seem to get Testdisk to fix it. I followed a guide by Fiona, (Just keep this as None.
But don't confirm at Analyse but Advanced.
Check Type and press enter.
Check your previous file system (I've no idea either, has it been FAT32 or NTFS?).
Normally thumb drives are preformatted using FAT32.
So I assume FAT32?
Check FAT32 and press enter to continue.
Check Boot and press enter.
Check rebuild BS and press enter.
If it was succsesful you see a menu List.
Check it and press enter.
Do you see your data or an error message?) hoping it would be the answer, but no.


The following is what I have after doing the above steps:

1st this:

Disk /dev/sdd - 2109 MB / 2012 MiB - CHS 1022 65 62

Partition Start End Size in sectors
> P FAT32 0 0 1 1022 30 56 4120576




[ Type ] >[ Boot ] [Undelete] [Image Creation] [ Quit ]
Boot sector recovery

Then, when I go through the steps, this:

"TestDisk 6.14, Data Recovery Utility, July 2013
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sdd - 2109 MB / 2012 MiB - CHS 1022 65 62
Partition Start End Size in sectors
P FAT32 0 0 1 1022 30 56 4120576

Boot sector
Bad

Backup boot sector
Bad

First sectors (Boot code and partition information) 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 ] [Rebuild BS] [ Dump ]
Return to Advanced menu"

Is there any way to get the data off of this thumb drive?

Thank you for any assistance!

Cheers from Australia

User avatar
cgrenier
Site Admin
Posts: 5432
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 15:08
Location: Le Perreux Sur Marne, France
Contact:

Re: USB stick recovery- I've tried all I have read but no luck-- help?

#2 Post by cgrenier »

As RebuildBS failed, use PhotoRec. Version 7.1-WIP recommanded.
If necessary, read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf on how to install it

geekomatic
Posts: 2
Joined: 28 Jan 2017, 03:59

Re: USB stick recovery- I've tried all I have read but no luck-- help?

#3 Post by geekomatic »

Thanks- I did end up doing that in the end. I think the USB was just too far gone. Data retrieved, owner now more aware to backup!

Appreciated!

Locked