Where to begin?

Using TestDisk to repair the filesystem
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jacco
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Sep 2013, 12:37

Where to begin?

#1 Post by jacco »

I would like to restore a windows 7 file system on a laptop using TestDisk. I am new to this tool.

First, let me explain what went wrong. Windows was unable to boot for unknown reasons, and would have to be reinstalled anyway. Therefore I created a bootable USB with the most recent Linux Mint distribution, to see if I could access the windows file system. This was indeed possible, and I decided that I would like to install Mint next to Windows, I knew the installer has this option (but in hindsight, I should have made a backup of the windows files at this point).
However, when the installer started installing Mint, I realised that it didn't ask me if I wanted to install it alongside windows. So I aborted the installation.

When booting from USB now, the hard drive is not recognized (maybe because the installer removed the partition table?) running

Code: Select all

mint@mint ~ $ sudo fdisk -l
gives the following output.

Code: Select all

Disk /dev/sda: 16.1 GB, 16058941440 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1952 cylinders, total 31365120 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x04dd5721

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *          63    31365119    15682528+   c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
(thus only listing the bootable usb stick)

The thing is, I don't really know where to start since I am not experienced in this area. How damaged would the filesystem be, or is this just a partition table issue? Any pointers to the TestDisk documentation would be greatly appreciated.
If additional details are required, please let me know!

Jacco

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cgrenier
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Re: Where to begin?

#2 Post by cgrenier »

Can you post the testdisk.log content after following http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step ?

jacco
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Sep 2013, 12:37

Re: Where to begin?

#3 Post by jacco »

Testdisk only lists the usb stick as media, so I am not able to create such a log file. Any suggestions?

jacco
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Sep 2013, 12:37

Re: Where to begin?

#4 Post by jacco »

If anyone could give me a pointer where to start, that would be great :)

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