Hi all,
On my Windows 7 laptop, I have two HDD installed, the first is my boot disk with the windows and the second is a disk mainly for storing files.
Few weeks ago, I used Windows disk manager to try to create a new partition on my second drive in order to install Linux and have a dual boot system.
In the process of doing this, I deleted the two existing partitions on my second drive.
I ran Testdisk but although I could see both partitions when I search, the second partition (which is dynamic) shows as not recoverable.
Any idea of what can I do to try to recover this?
I used Photorec and retrieved the stored files but most of them have lost their filename so it's impossible to understand what is what and there is no folder structure anymore so it's really hard to find any files amongst thousands. Also, I noticed that most if not all, of my photos seem to have been recovered with no issues but a lot of my recovered PDF files are showing as corrupted and can't be opened anymore.
I stopped using the drive since the partition was lost so it's very unlikely files were overwritten.
Any idea/suggestion of how I can recover the lost partitions to make my life a lot easier?
Accidentally lost partition
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Before posting, please read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf
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
-
recuperation
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
- Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)
Re: Accidentally lost partition
Read this article:
https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step
If the p-key ("list files") does not work, try out any other recovery software to see if they do better.
PhotoRec is the last line of defense if everything else fails.
https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step
If the p-key ("list files") does not work, try out any other recovery software to see if they do better.
PhotoRec is the last line of defense if everything else fails.
Re: Accidentally lost partition
Hi there,
Thanks for the guidance, I followed the instructions as per the link you shared.
I managed to find both partitions on my drive, the second one was showing as Deleted.
I followed the instructions to Write the partitions in the partitions table.
I then got the next screen where my Boot sector is showing as Bad and the Backup boot sector as OK.
I then selected the Backup BS option but I get a message saying "Write error: Can't overwrite NTFS boot sector"
Any suggestion why this might be and how to overcome this?
Thanks for the guidance, I followed the instructions as per the link you shared.
I managed to find both partitions on my drive, the second one was showing as Deleted.
I followed the instructions to Write the partitions in the partitions table.
I then got the next screen where my Boot sector is showing as Bad and the Backup boot sector as OK.
I then selected the Backup BS option but I get a message saying "Write error: Can't overwrite NTFS boot sector"
Any suggestion why this might be and how to overcome this?
-
recuperation
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
- Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)
Re: Accidentally lost partition
Have you granted admin rights to TestDisk?
Is your "HDD" in question a SSD?
Is your "HDD" in question a SSD?
Re: Accidentally lost partition
Sorry if I am asking the obvious, but how do I grant admin rights? I run "testdisk_win.exe" and I am asked if I want to allow the software to make changes, is this what you refer to? It does not specifically asks for admin rights.
No, the drive is a normal external 1GB HDD, not an SSD.
No, the drive is a normal external 1GB HDD, not an SSD.
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recuperation
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
- Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)
Re: Accidentally lost partition
Initial posting:
The worse the description is the the lesser the chance of getting a correct answer.
As for your question right-click on "testdisk_win.exe" and select "run as admin".
Later on:ksotos wrote: 30 Oct 2025, 02:27 Hi all,
On my Windows 7 laptop, I have two HDD installed, the first is my boot disk with the windows and the second is a disk mainly for storing files.
It's disappointing to read that kind of documentation. The case changed from a laptop with two disks inside to a case with one disk and the other one attached externally.
The worse the description is the the lesser the chance of getting a correct answer.
As for your question right-click on "testdisk_win.exe" and select "run as admin".