How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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guessmyusername
Posts: 4
Joined: 02 Aug 2012, 09:48

How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

#1 Post by guessmyusername »

I have been using TestDisk and PhotoRec the last couple of days, and I am pleased to say they have been working very well the last couple of days!

However, when I run TestDisk and list the files of a folder, it does not list all of the files in my corrupted hard drive; for example, in my music folder, I only have artists that start with the letter "A" and finish with the letter "J." Similarly, in my collection of anime, I can only see the first 80 or so episodes. I have tried pressing right and down on my arrow keys to search for more files, but it does not do anything. Additionally, I pressed "a" to select all files then "C" to copy them, but it is still copying only the files that are displayed. In short, how can I display all of the files in that folder?

Here is a screenshot for a better understanding:
http://i.imgur.com/VCdvu.png

Thank you in advance!

(You can ignore my previous topic titled "How can I list all files in a folder?" because I ask the same question.)

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

Re: How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

#2 Post by Fiona »

Can you repeat your diagnose using testdisk6.14WIP-32bit?
Would it be possible that your checked line is a folder?
It's not listed as folder or directory but a file.
Would it be possible to copy as a test?
At the bottom of the screen you'll find the commands.
Standard path is your testdisk folder.
Would be for a test ok.
Changing directories you need only to check that two dots and press enter.
To move into any folder you can use your right arrow key.

Fiona

guessmyusername
Posts: 4
Joined: 02 Aug 2012, 09:48

Re: How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

#3 Post by guessmyusername »

I have repeated the same procedure with TestDisk 6.14, but the results are the same. I do not know how to "copy as a test"; what do you mean by that?

In short, I have a lot of files in different folders that I wish to copy, but TestDisk does not display all of the files in the folder. I can only copy and paste some of the files, e.g., the first few hundred files in alphabetical order, but that's it. If there is a way to copy a folder, I am thinking that may make a difference.

Also, I think this is the only method with TestDisk to recover my files because when I "Rebuild BS" it says "Extrapolated boot sector and current boot sector are identical." I also have the option to "Dump" the sector, but I am not sure what that does. When I "Repair MFT" an error message saying "Can't read NTFS MFT" appears, so I'm effectively left with listing the files and copying them (which I don't mind).

Thank you for the help thus far.

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

Re: How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

#4 Post by Fiona »

"Can't read NTFS MFT"
It means that your file system is damaged.
Did you scroll through your files only using your arrow and page up and down keys?
I do not know how to "copy as a test"; what do you mean by that?
Your testdisk photo displays only files.
You can see it at the left.
r-r-r means, it's only a file (attributes of a file).
To choose a folder in testdisk at the left side you'd see something like dr-xr for directory.
So there is a file called JAY-Z & Linkin Park.
The question is, should that be a file or a folder?
Please let me know.
For recovery it's necessary to determine the status of your file system.

Fiona

guessmyusername
Posts: 4
Joined: 02 Aug 2012, 09:48

Re: How to recover ALL files from a corrupted hard drive?

#5 Post by guessmyusername »

Yes, I went through my files on the hard drive with arrow keys.

To answer your question, the "Jay-Z & Linkin Park" that you see in the screenshot is a file. My problem is that there are more files after it in that folder (titled "Music") that I do not know how to access.

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