TestDisk can't write Boot Sector data

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
jenglish
Posts: 1
Joined: 30 Jun 2017, 03:06

TestDisk can't write Boot Sector data

#1 Post by jenglish »

I have been using TestDisk distributed on the PartedMagic tool to examine and repair an XP boot disk (Samsung 160-GB) that lost it's NTFS partition. I have successfully restored the partition type to be NTFS, and was able to access data on the disk, however I am having trouble restoring the boot sector so that I can boot from the disk. I also used Spinwrite to check & repair any surface issues, and Spinwrite reported there were no surface errors to be found. So, using Testdisk to either copy the Backup Boot Sector over the boot sector, or to Rebuild the Boot Sector, and then write it to disk, I get a Testdisk message saying “Write error: Can’t overwrite NTFS boot sector”. When I dump the boot sector data it shows the primary to be all nulls, where the backup one looks normal. I can see & read all the other data in the NTFS partition now, but without a good boot sector I can’t boot the drive. Is there a way to get the Boot Sector issue straightened out, and why can't Testdisk write the boot sector when Spinwrite sees every byte of the drive to be read/writable? Would appreciate any suggestions you could provide.

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

Re: TestDisk can't write Boot Sector data

#2 Post by cgrenier »

Please provide the testdisk.log file generated by latest 7.1-WIP version

Locked