Im only recovering txt files so far - is this normal?

[rh1983]

Hi everyone,

I am using photorec_win.exe from testdisk-6.14-WIP. I am trying to recover files from my WD external HD that lost its formatting with my honeymoon video on (only copy - I know, how stupid).

I have bumbled through the set up and left it to run recovery on my disk, it has been running for over 19 hours now but has only recovered 2843 .txt files that contain the following text:

TTP/1.1
Host:[FF02::C]:1900
STMicrosoft Windows Peer Name Resolution Protocol: V4:IPV6:LinkLocal
Man:"ssdp:discover"
MX:3

They all say the same or similar and are labled "f0539264.txt", "f0539520.txt" etc.

Is this normal and can I expect it to start finding my files soon or have I done something wrong?

I am very sorry if I am asking silly questions, I have tried to search the forums but cannot find anything similar.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Richard

[Fiona]

- is this normal

Nope, but you can use the menu File Opt to select what files should be recovered.
Easily press s to deselect all file types and activate only your requested ones.
But;
Might be an idea to diagnose your boot sector?
It's only a diagnose and nothing will be changed.
But I'ld need info from the menu Analyse in TestDisk first from your (partition table) current partition structur, to check that your partition is ok.
Because, if your paretition in your partition table is not ok, a boot sector diagnose would be useless.

Fiona

[rh1983]

Thank you for your reply fiona

Might be an idea to diagnose your boot sector?

Im not sure what you mean, sorry. In TestDisk_win.exe I have the options to 'create', 'append', 'no log'. Is it one of those? Sorry for my ignorance.

info from the menu Analyse in TestDisk

Is one of those options for this?

Thank you for your help Fiona.

Richard

[Fiona]

It's actually a good idea to diagnose your boot sector if your disk appears as unformatted.
If something appears as unformatted it might be possible that windows displays a message and will format it.
Don't do it!
The difference is, you can try to list your data.
If your data are listed, you can copy them to another intact disk.
Each step I provide it's only for diagnosis purposes.
So you'll not change anything to your disk.
Please don't use Write in TestDisk or Repair MFT nor FAT.

I'll have a try to guide you step by step.
Please ask, if you don't understand something.
Start TestDisk.
Confirm at Create Log with enter.
Select your affected disk and press enter.
Choose partition table type Intel (if not autodected and already checked).
Don't confirm at Analyse but Advanced.
If your partition is listed as Unknown, choose Type and press enter.
Select your previous file system FAT32 and press enter.
Confirm at Boot with enter also.
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 me know, do you see your data or an error message.
To get back to the previous screen, easily press q for Quit.

Infos will follow.

[rh1983]

Thank you for your kind help once again Fiona.

Unfortunately what I select '[advanced]' it says "no partition available"..

Am I a lost cause?

Thank you for your help.

Richard

[Fiona]

Am I a lost cause?

No, not at all.

Looks like your partition table is empty?
Could you diagnose it?
Start TestDisk.
Confirm at Create Log with enter.
Select your affected disk and press enter.
Choose partition table type Intel (if not autodected and already checked).
Confirm at Advanced and please upload a screenshot or copy and paste the content in your post.

Fiona