Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive Topic is solved

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Author
th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#1 Post by th0mas0s »

I have a Buffalo 1TB external USB HDD which I am unable to get into as Windows setup formatted it, actually I pressed the key so technically....

The log output isn't helping me too much having gone through a few FAQ's some identical to mine, any help would be fantastic.

There is 950GB of the usual rubbish, music, Videos, Documents, Programs etc.. I need to recover.



Thu Nov 8 16:02:25 2012
Command line: TestDisk

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, September 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Windows 7 (7601) SP1
Compiler: GCC 4.6, Cygwin 1007.9
Compilation date: 2012-10-25T19:31:29
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)=1000204885504
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive0)=320072933376
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive1)=1000204885504
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\C:)=319965626368
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\D:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\D:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\D:
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\E:)=1000201757184
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\G:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\G:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\G:
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\H:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\H:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\H:
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63, sector size=512 - ST3320418AS, S/N:2020202020202020202020203257344153483150, FW:CC6B
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63, sector size=512 - BUFFALO HD-PCTU2, S/N:00B1B110748500000000, FW:0108

Partition table type (auto): Intel
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - BUFFALO HD-PCTU2
Partition table type: Intel

Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=240 sector=63
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 07
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=2
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=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1
Current partition structure:
Invalid NTFS or EXFAT boot
1 P HPFS - NTFS 0 1 1 121600 239 63 1953519057
1 P HPFS - NTFS 0 1 1 121600 239 63 1953519057
No partition is bootable

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
BAD_RS LBA=3065542689 4643356
file_pread(5,3,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
check_FAT: can't read FAT boot sector
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 0B
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=3065542689, size=1400899236, end=171474628, disk end=1953525167)
file_pread(5,2,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,15,buffer,1953525761(121601/90/27)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,3,buffer,1953525776(121601/90/42)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,3,buffer,1953525823(121601/91/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,8,buffer,1953525839(121601/91/42)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,11,buffer,1953525886(121601/92/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,2,buffer,1953527808(121601/122/58)) lseek err Invalid argument
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (1000 GB / 931 GiB) seems too small! (< 2286 GB / 2129 GiB)
The following partition can't be recovered:
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236

Results

interface_write()

No partition found or selected for recovery

th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Re: Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#2 Post by th0mas0s »

This drive has been assigned a drive letter (E:\) but windows wants to format when ever you go near it.

I have run a full test disk with the following output



Thu Nov 8 21:19:20 2012
Command line: TestDisk

TestDisk 6.14-WIP, Data Recovery Utility, September 2012
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Windows 7 (7601) SP1
Compiler: GCC 4.6, Cygwin 1007.9
Compilation date: 2012-10-25T19:31:29
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)=1000204885504
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive0)=320072933376
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\PhysicalDrive1)=1000204885504
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\C:)=319965626368
disk_get_size_win32 IOCTL_DISK_GET_LENGTH_INFO(\\.\E:)=1000201757184
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\G:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\G:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\G:
filewin32_getfilesize(\\.\H:) GetFileSize err Incorrect function.

filewin32_setfilepointer(\\.\H:) SetFilePointer err Incorrect function.

Warning: can't get size for \\.\H:
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63, sector size=512 - ST3320418AS, S/N:2020202020202020202020203257344153483150, FW:CC6B
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63, sector size=512 - BUFFALO HD-PCTU2, S/N:00B1B110748500000000, FW:0108

Partition table type (auto): Intel
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - BUFFALO HD-PCTU2
Partition table type: Intel

Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=240 sector=63
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 07
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=2
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=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=1
Current partition structure:
Invalid NTFS or EXFAT boot
1 P HPFS - NTFS 0 1 1 121600 239 63 1953519057
1 P HPFS - NTFS 0 1 1 121600 239 63 1953519057
No partition is bootable

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
BAD_RS LBA=3065542689 4643356
file_pread(5,3,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
check_FAT: can't read FAT boot sector
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 0B
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=3065542689, size=1400899236, end=171474628, disk end=1953525167)
file_pread(5,2,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,15,buffer,1953525761(121601/90/27)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,3,buffer,1953525776(121601/90/42)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,3,buffer,1953525823(121601/91/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,8,buffer,1953525839(121601/91/42)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,11,buffer,1953525886(121601/92/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,2,buffer,1953527808(121601/122/58)) lseek err Invalid argument
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (1000 GB / 931 GiB) seems too small! (< 2286 GB / 2129 GiB)
The following partition can't be recovered:
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236

Results

interface_write()

No partition found or selected for recovery

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
BAD_RS LBA=3065542689 4643356
file_pread(5,3,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,3065542689(190821/52/49)) lseek err Invalid argument
check_FAT: can't read FAT boot sector
check_part_i386 failed for partition type 0B
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=3065542689, size=1400899236, end=171474628, disk end=1953525167)
file_pread(5,2,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,1953525760(121601/90/26)) lseek err Invalid argument
file_pread(5,1,buffer,1953525759(121601/90/25)) lseek err Invalid argument
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (1000 GB / 931 GiB) seems too small! (< 2286 GB / 2129 GiB)
The following partition can't be recovered:
FAT32 190821 52 49 278023 38 36 1400899236

Results

interface_write()

No partition found or selected for recovery

th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Re: Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#3 Post by th0mas0s »

My OS is Windows7 although this is an external device.

There should be 1 partition (max size for 1TB)

I have found similar posts but like those posts to continue without guidance would be foolish.

All help is gratefully received once I have receovered my data we can then arrange a donation to CGSecurity for an amazing site which has clearly help many

th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Re: Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#4 Post by th0mas0s »

My disk shows in disk manager as 931.51 GB RAW Primary Partition and healthy

th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Re: Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#5 Post by th0mas0s »

And finally is showing as Basic

I am not sure how to proceed without data loss, I appreciate any help

th0mas0s
Posts: 6
Joined: 08 Nov 2012, 19:01
Location: Essex, UK

Re: Windows Setup formatted my external USB drive

#6 Post by th0mas0s »

ok I carried on investigating through other posts on here and decided to plough on with my recovery.

after choosing the extended search I continued with the following;

Advance from the main menu
Build
Rebuild BS
List (to check if the directory structure was still intact)
Quit

then the final commands

Write
and confirmed I wanted to write the new NTFS boot secor

And now I can see all my files and folders and shall proceed to backup to multiple drives to avoid such drama in the future.

No one came to my help this was all self help and studying this site and various others, but if you have the same issue s you should safely be able to recover your data.

Good Luck.

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