Raw partition recovery

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
Armin
Posts: 2
Joined: 22 May 2022, 18:31

Raw partition recovery

#1 Post by Armin »

I have a drive with 2 FAT partitions and 2 RAW partitions. Windows recognizes 2 partitions and I can list files in them. Other 2 have "H:\ is not accessible. The disk structure is corrupted or unreadable". On one of those RAW partitions is WinNT filesystem. I need not only to recover files, but to be able to boot to WinNT.
TestDisk 7.2 sees RAW partitions as HPFS - NFTS.

After quick scanning and selecting Intel/PC partition and analyse it shows:
check_FAT: Unusual number of reserved sectors 8 (FAT), should be 1.
FAT16 >32M 0 32 33 65 101 28 1048568 [DOS]
check_FAT: Unusual number of reserved sectors 8 (FAT), should be 1.
check_FAT: Unusual number of reserved sectors 8 (FAT), should be 1.
FAT16 >32M 65 134 6 326 141 47 4193448 [TMP]
HPFS - NTFS 326 155 22 518 155 21 3084480
HPFS - NTFS 518 184 51 1223 184 50 11325825

Selecting partition and pressing ENTER to continue, I get "No partition found or selected for recovery"


Deep scan shows
Disk \\.\PhysicalDrive1 - 512 GB / 476 GiB - CHS 62260 255 63
Partition Start End Size in sectors
>D FAT16 >32M 0 32 33 65 101 36 1048576 [DOS]
D FAT32 LBA 0 32 33 4177 117 36 67108864 [NO NAME]
D FAT16 >32M 65 134 6 326 155 21 4194304 [TMP]
D HPFS - NTFS 326 155 22 518 184 50 3086336
D HPFS - NTFS 326 184 51 518 184 50 3084480
D HPFS - NTFS 518 184 51 1223 211

Selecting any NTFS and pressing P - list files it reports: Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged.

Is it possible to make bootable RAW partition?

recuperation
Posts: 2720
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Raw partition recovery

#2 Post by recuperation »

If even Testdisk is unable to list the content of the partition that you would like to boot from, trying to make that broken partition bootable is a simple waste of time.

Armin
Posts: 2
Joined: 22 May 2022, 18:31

Re: Raw partition recovery

#3 Post by Armin »

But TestDisk -> Advanced (FilesystemUtils) -> partition -> Boot shows Boot sector OK.

I have files recovered in original folder structure. It this beneficial is some way?

recuperation
Posts: 2720
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Raw partition recovery

#4 Post by recuperation »

Armin wrote: 23 May 2022, 07:23 But TestDisk -> Advanced (FilesystemUtils) -> partition -> Boot shows Boot sector OK.
That is insufficient.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_Stone
Being able to translate the first word does not make the rest readible for you.
I have files recovered in original folder structure. It this beneficial is some way?
Yes, because you got at least parts of your broken data.

Locked