external harddisk not accessible anymore

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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
tinkie
Posts: 3
Joined: 10 Jul 2012, 09:28

external harddisk not accessible anymore

#1 Post by tinkie »

Hello,

I cannot access my Adata CH94 external usb harddisk anymore. When I try to access it, my pc asks to format the disk (tried in more pc's).

I have run the testdisk tool and attached the logfile to this message.

I have some questions. The tool finds a backup for my partition after Deeper Search . Should I then Load this backup? I am able to view my directories. Is it better to copy the files first before I load the backup?

Maybe I can find an example somewhere how to do this. Please point me to this.

Thank you for your help. I will try to write a tutorial when I am able to fix this.

Tinka

*edit*

I don't seem to be able to upload the testdisklog. Here are the important parts (I think)

Mon Jul 9 21:11:23 2012
Command line: TestDisk

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, May 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Windows Vista (6002) SP2
Compiler: GCC 4.6, Cygwin 1007.9
Compilation date: 2012-07-05T08:08:04
ext2fs lib: 1.42.2, ntfs lib: 10:0:0, reiserfs lib: 0.3.1-rc8, ewf lib: 20120504
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(/dev/sda)=320072933376
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(/dev/sdb)=3980394496
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(/dev/sdc)=640135028736
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive0)=320072933376
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive1)=3980394496
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive2)=640135028736
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\C:)=47188399104
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\D:)=21225275392
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\E:)=251656142848
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\F:) GetFileSize err Onjuiste functie.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\F:) SetFilePointer err Onjuiste functie.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\F:
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\G:)=640132383744
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\H:)=3976200192
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63, sector size=512 - WDC WD3200BEVT-22ZCT0, S/N:2020202057202d44585737453830484b34463631, FW:11.01A11
Disk /dev/sdb - 3980 MB / 3796 MiB - CHS 483 255 63, sector size=512 - Generic- Multi-Card, FW:1.00
Disk /dev/sdc - 640 GB / 596 GiB - CHS 77825 255 63, sector size=512 - ADATA HDD CH94

Partition table type (auto): Intel
Disk /dev/sdc - 640 GB / 596 GiB - ADATA HDD CH94
Partition table type: Intel

Analyse Disk /dev/sdc - 640 GB / 596 GiB - CHS 77825 255 63
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=255 sector=63


test_FAT()
1 * FAT32 LBA 0 1 1 77824 254 63 1250258562
sector_size 0
cluster_size 0
reserved 10762
fats 0
dir_entries 0
sectors 16128
media 00
fat_length 512
secs_track 0
heads 0
hidden 3808428032
total_sect 1250258562
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 0C
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
Current partition structure:
Invalid FAT boot sector
1 * FAT32 LBA 0 1 1 77824 254 63 1250258562
1 * FAT32 LBA 0 1 1 77824 254 63 1250258562

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdc - 640 GB / 596 GiB - CHS 77825 255 63
file_pread(6,2,buffer,1250265088(77825/102/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,1,buffer,1250265088(77825/102/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,7,buffer,1250265089(77825/102/39)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,8,buffer,1250265096(77825/102/46)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,3,buffer,1250265104(77825/102/54)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,3,buffer,1250265151(77825/103/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,8,buffer,1250265167(77825/103/54)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,11,buffer,1250265214(77825/104/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,2,buffer,1250267136(77825/135/7)) lseek err Invalid argument

Results

interface_write()

No partition found or selected for recovery

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdc - 640 GB / 596 GiB - CHS 77825 255 63
FAT32 at 0/1/7
FAT1 : 32-152614
FAT2 : 152615-305197
start_rootdir : 305198 root cluster : 2
Data : 305198-1250258541
sectors : 1250258562
cluster_size : 64
no_of_cluster : 19530521 (2 - 19530522)
fat_length 152583 calculated 152583
heads/cylinder 1 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 48519 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 0/1/7
FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 15 2265054
FAT found using backup sector!, 1159 MB / 1105 MiB
file_pread(6,2,buffer,1250265088(77825/102/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,1,buffer,1250265088(77825/102/38)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(6,1,buffer,1250265087(77825/102/37)) lseek err Invalid argument
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2

Results
* FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 63 2265102
FAT found using backup sector!, 1159 MB / 1106 MiB


dir_partition inode=0
* FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 63 2265102
FAT found using backup sector!, 1159 MB / 1106 MiB

dir_partition inode=15138818
* FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 63 2265102
FAT found using backup sector!, 1159 MB / 1106 MiB
FAT: cluster=15138818(0xe70002), pos=969189485
Directory /backup_studeerkamer2

dir_partition inode=8006141
* FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 63 2265102
FAT found using backup sector!, 1159 MB / 1106 MiB
FAT: cluster=8006141(0x7a29fd), pos=512698157
Directory /backup_medion


FAT: cluster=2(0x2), pos=305261
FAT: cluster=512(0x200), pos=337901
FAT: cluster=513(0x201), pos=337965
FAT: cluster=514(0x202), pos=338029
FAT: cluster=515(0x203), pos=338093
FAT: cluster=516(0x204), pos=338157
FAT: cluster=517(0x205), pos=338221
FAT: cluster=518(0x206), pos=338285
FAT: cluster=519(0x207), pos=338349
FAT: cluster=520(0x208), pos=338413
FAT: cluster=521(0x209), pos=338477
FAT: cluster=522(0x20a), pos=338541
FAT: cluster=523(0x20b), pos=338605
FAT: cluster=524(0x20c), pos=338669
FAT: cluster=525(0x20d), pos=338733
FAT: cluster=526(0x20e), pos=338797
FAT: cluster=527(0x20f), pos=338861
FAT: cluster=528(0x210), pos=338925
FAT: cluster=529(0x211), pos=338989
FAT: cluster=530(0x212), pos=339053
FAT: cluster=531(0x213), pos=339117
FAT: cluster=532(0x214), pos=339181
FAT: cluster=533(0x215), pos=339245
FAT: cluster=534(0x216), pos=339309
FAT: cluster=535(0x217), pos=339373
FAT: cluster=536(0x218), pos=339437
FAT: cluster=537(0x219), pos=339501
FAT: cluster=538(0x21a), pos=339565
FAT: cluster=539(0x21b), pos=339629
FAT: cluster=540(0x21c), pos=339693
Directory /


interface_write()
1 * FAT32 0 1 1 140 254 63 2265102
simulate write!

write_mbr_i386: starting...
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition

TestDisk exited normally.

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

Re: external harddisk not accessible anymore

#2 Post by Fiona »

Partition found by TestDisk is only 1.1 GB.
Probably wrong, because it's too small.
But in your partition table is a partition whicht fits.
Could you have a boot sector diagnose?
Start TestDisk, confirm at create a log with enter and select your affected disk.
Confirm at partition table type with enter also
Don't confirm at Analyse but Advanced.
Confirm at Boot.
Highlight Rebuild BS and hit Enter.
Rebuild your BS will be in progress.
Normally, it takes some minutes.
If it's finished, please post the infos or upload a screen.
If you see a menu List, please highlight it and press enter.
Please let us know, do you see your data or an error message.
To get back to the previous screen, easily press q for Quit.
Procedur would be like in this thread;
http://forum.cgsecurity.org/phpBB3/part ... h-t14.html
If you're able to watch your data, you could write your boot sector.

Fiona

tinkie
Posts: 3
Joined: 10 Jul 2012, 09:28

Re: external harddisk not accessible anymore

#3 Post by tinkie »

I followed the procedure and the screenshot is shown below. I was able to list the files. The directory listing gave zeros for each file.
As you can see it is a 640 Gb disk.
What is the best way to continue?

Thank you very much,

Tinka
Attachments
screenshot
screenshot
screenshot1.png (40.61 KiB) Viewed 4579 times

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

Re: external harddisk not accessible anymore

#4 Post by Fiona »

Please confirm at "Write" with enter and y.
Close TestDisk using Quit.
Restart your PC that changes take effect.
Check the result.

If chckdsk (Autochk) appears, please stop it by pressing any key.
Let me know the result.

Fiona

tinkie
Posts: 3
Joined: 10 Jul 2012, 09:28

Re: external harddisk not accessible anymore

#5 Post by tinkie »

I can see my data again. You are wonderful! I will make a donation.

Thank you,

Tinka

pinkie
Posts: 1
Joined: 25 Aug 2012, 07:44

Re: external harddisk not accessible anymore

#6 Post by pinkie »

hi,

i also have a Adata CH94 external usb harddisk that suddenly stopped working. When I plug it in, My computer asks me to format the drive.

i followed the procedures above by
1. rebuild bs
2. when a list of files shown, pressed q to previous screen
3. pressed 'list', after which the screen says 'no file found, filesystem may be damaged'

can you advise what is the next step? thank you.
Attachments
testdisk_list.png
testdisk_list.png (55.98 KiB) Viewed 4360 times
after i finished 'rebuild bs', shows list of files
after i finished 'rebuild bs', shows list of files
testdisk1.png (67.64 KiB) Viewed 4360 times
after i finished 'rebuild bs' and pressed q to previous screen
after i finished 'rebuild bs' and pressed q to previous screen
testdisk.png (69.44 KiB) Viewed 4360 times

Locked