Can TestDisk read the Master File Table (MFT)?

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Author
dale
Posts: 2
Joined: 29 Jun 2012, 01:35

Can TestDisk read the Master File Table (MFT)?

#1 Post by dale »

Hello,

I am new here. It seems TestDisk is a powerful tool. I am wondering if it can read the Master File Table of the Hard Disk and save it as a txt file in the same executable file folder (in Ext4 or FAT32)?

The MFT holds the metadata for the information on the hard drive. The information should include filenames, authors, file size, file address (sector, cluster) and so on.

Thanks, -dale

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

Re: Can TestDisk read the Master File Table (MFT)?

#2 Post by Fiona »

If you rebuild a boot sector TestDisk checks the MFT, but it's only intended for boot sector rebuilding purposes.
TestDisk doesn't create a txt file from a MFT.
Only the log file can provide some infos about your MFT.
TestDisk can try to repair your MFT using Advanced / Boot / Repair MFT.
I only recommend it in rare cases because you're going to alter/modify your file system.
That's it.

Fiona

dale
Posts: 2
Joined: 29 Jun 2012, 01:35

Re: Can TestDisk read the Master File Table (MFT)?

#3 Post by dale »

Hi Fiona,

thank u for ur reply.

Since TestDisk is an open source project, is it easy to modify it to create a txt file from a MFT?

Best, -dale

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