TestDisk doesn't recognize my disk anymore.

[Muloza]

Hi guys,

I have a 1TB disk with it's actuator arm stuck on the platter. I fixed that, and it spins up good again.

I couldn't acces the disk and it didn't showed up in Disk Management, so I tried TestDisk. No partitions were found in the quick search, so I did a deep search. It searched for almost 2 days and after it was done, I saw 1 green partition. TestDisk asked if I wanted to write the partition. I did. After that it said something like 'Could not write partition' (I forgot the exact error).

So I thought I just start TestDisk again and see what happens. Unfortunately it doesn't recognize the disk anymore. I rebooted my computer, reconnect the disk, but nothing works.

Did I do something wrong?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Muloza

[Fiona]

Did I do something wrong?

Never write to a probably physically damaged disk.

I saw 1 green partition.

If you've seen a partition, it's recommended to list files and copy them to another healthy disk or partition.

If you'd like to recover files, your disk must be recognized correctly.
You can have another try using a Linux LiveCD like Knoppix.
If it doesn't help as much either, it might be a case for a datarecovery company.
In case, further stressing of your disk, can increase damage?

Fiona

[Muloza]

Thanks for the answer Fiona!

I didn't see the 'P' option to list files. I remember however TestDisk said 'Structure: OK' after the deeper search.

Tonight I will try Knoppix. The only thing I need is 1 short video.

Muloza

[Fiona]

I didn't see the 'P' option to list files.

It's not an option.
If a partition is found, it should be marked (if more partitions are displayed) and easily press p on your keyboard to list your files.
Either it lists your files and if your file system is damaged you'll get a message like filesystem is damaged.
All commands are listed at the bottom of the screen.
Especially after Quick and Deeper Search running Analyse.

Fiona

[Muloza]

I tried it again on another computer.



I changed it to 16.



I pressed Enter to continue. But I'm scared to press Write again.

[Fiona]

I assumed that you're using windows because you mentioned disk management?
Do you use a Mac or a windows PC?
Intel Mac uses normally EFI GPT.
If you have a windows PC, otherwise let me know.
Geometry doesn't match.
Only an Apple HFS+ partition with size of 22 GB is found.
Apple HFS+-partitions don't offer to list files.
What kind of partition table type did you choose?
Should be Intel on a windows PC.
Please have another try and use intel mbr standard values.
In case your disk should be listed as amount of Cylinder, 255 , 63
If your disk doesn't display these values, you can use the menu geometry to change it.
-Amount of Cylinder (generates automatically)
-Change the value of heads to 255
- change the value sectors to 63
Leave the other values alone and quit the menu geometry at Ok.
Run another diagnose.
If nothing would be found, Deeper Search also.
If partitions are found, please have a try to list your files.
Your scan should run faster.

Fiona

[Muloza]

Thanks for the answer!

I have a Windows PC but the disk is from a customer, who's a photographer, so maybe she uses a Mac.

I use Intel as partition table.

I will try the recommended settings. The problem at the moment is TestDisk doesn't recognize the disk anymore. Yesterday it happened on my laptop, so I tried this PC, where it worked. But after I quit TestDisk and run it again, it's gone. Same problem on a third computer. I have no idea why that happens.

Edit: Please wait... is loading longer than normal. Maybe it's working again.

Doing a Quick Search now.

[Fiona]

I will try the recommended settings.

Nope!
If she's using an Intel-Mac, you should use partition table type EFI-GPT instead and don't change geoemtry settings!

Fiona

[Muloza]

I try EFI-GPT now, but Quick search is very slow.

Edit: I didn't change the values.

[Fiona]

Yes it*s ok, except tesdisk hangs due to bad sectors.
In case you can run crystaldiskinfo first to check your disk.
Please download the portable version, because the installer (exe) contains adware Open Candy.
Might be advisable to check your disk first.
Then run a testdisk diagnose.
Unfortunately on GPT partitions, testdisk will scan each sector and it's time consuming.

Fiona