Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

Using TestDisk to repair the filesystem
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tomekforum
Posts: 5
Joined: 23 Oct 2020, 16:02

Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#1 Post by tomekforum »

Hello,
I have an interesting issue with my 8TB hdd, encrypted with Truecrypt.
It should be "visible in Win10" as Unallocated space (before mounting), but somehow 3 empty partitions appeared on it, 2 even overlapping one with another.
Interestingly enough, when I connect this hdd with SATA cable or via sata-usb converter to my new GIGABYTE mainboard, it blocks my PC at the start (even entering BIOS is not possible).
I discovered it after a change from ASUS mainboard, which STILL discovers this HDD without any issues.

BUT ! If I connect it to the running Win10 with the same sata-usb converter, it can be mounted with Truecrypt and its full content is available! So the problem is just re-booting, which requires disconnecting this HDD.

I have no other 8TB to backup it and reformat, which would be the easiest solution.
Will just DELETING the 3 empty partitions solve the issue with booting (while not damaging Truecrypt partition)? Of course the priority for me is not to loose my 8TB of data in the process...
Or maybe some BIOS reconfiguration of my newer GIGABYTE mainboard would help?

I attach the printscreens from TestDisk/Win10/TestCrypt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jIt1B5 ... sp=sharing
Please advise,
Tom
recuperation
Posts: 3026
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#2 Post by recuperation »

Please provide proper documentation uploading the pictures to this forum using the attachment tab on the bottom of this page.
Please provide a Testdisk log file.
You did not tell what you encrypted - the whole drive or a partition?
To determine the right partition table scheme you need to describe your setup. Did you purchase a naked 8TB, if yes, how did you connect it, or are you talking about an external drive in a case that you removed from the case?

For your boot problems please consult some general computer forum.

Your Truecrypt partition may already be dammaged.
tomekforum
Posts: 5
Joined: 23 Oct 2020, 16:02

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#3 Post by tomekforum »

Thanks for such a quick reply!
I uploaded the pictures, also of the testdisk log.

I bought unformatted 8TB hdd (around 4 years ago), I connected it via SATA to my old ASUS mainboard, then used TrueCrypt to encrypt. I encrypted whole drive (Hidden TrueCrypt Volume option, so the small part of it is a different volume with different pwd).

The seller could not make it running, but it worked fine with my mainboard from the first time and I had no issues with it so far.
Now the only workaround is to connect it as an external drive via USB case, while my Win10 is already running.
Any advice?
Attachments
testdisk1.jpg
testdisk1.jpg (469.04 KiB) Viewed 6456 times
testdisk2.jpg
testdisk2.jpg (330.95 KiB) Viewed 6456 times
testdisk3.jpg
testdisk3.jpg (330.95 KiB) Viewed 6456 times
tomekforum
Posts: 5
Joined: 23 Oct 2020, 16:02

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#4 Post by tomekforum »

and the remaining pictures.
Attachments
hdd2.jpg
hdd2.jpg (85.92 KiB) Viewed 6455 times
hdds.jpg
hdds.jpg (170.72 KiB) Viewed 6455 times
testdisk4.jpg
testdisk4.jpg (308.06 KiB) Viewed 6455 times
tomekforum
Posts: 5
Joined: 23 Oct 2020, 16:02

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#5 Post by tomekforum »

and the remaining pictures.
recuperation
Posts: 3026
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#6 Post by recuperation »

After looking at your answer it appears to me that the best solution for you is the one you proposed yourself.
Trying to operate on your drive without a risk of loosing something in your case is simply not possible.
tomekforum
Posts: 5
Joined: 23 Oct 2020, 16:02

Re: Truecrypt drive with overlapping partitions

#7 Post by tomekforum »

Thank you.
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