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| Thread ID: 128277 | 2012-12-10 04:02:00 | Accidental format of OS in Ubuntu | Curbd (13334) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1317408 | 2012-12-10 04:02:00 | Hi there, Earlier using an Ubuntu live cd and running GNU Parted, I accidentally formatted my main operating system hard drive. I formatted it into Ext3, and soon after realised what I had done. I shut the computer down and tried to restart in XP but there was an error as expected. What's the best approach for recovering the data? Will XP need to be reinstalled or can it be completely recovered? I'm not sure if now having it formatted into Ext3 causes more issues, as windows can't read Ext3 partitions. I really hope you can help (Rest assured my next thread after this will be about backing up). Thanks! Curbd |
Curbd (13334) | ||
| 1317409 | 2012-12-10 04:13:00 | Depends on if you want to recover the data on the drive, OR the Actual OS. If its data recovery, its possible sometimes using the right software even after a format. If its the OS ( XP) better to wipe it clean and reinstall. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1317410 | 2012-12-10 04:18:00 | If I can recover the OS too that would be great, but if it's only the data I can restore then I'm happy with that too. Thanks. |
Curbd (13334) | ||
| 1317411 | 2012-12-10 04:45:00 | A recovery of the OS / Programs if it did work, could be unstable, or not work at all. Better to reinstall, would take less time in the long run and then you'll know its complete. A fresh install will run better more than likely anyway, good chance to have a "clean out". |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1317412 | 2012-12-10 04:50:00 | Sounds like a good plan! What is the best way to recover my files? I'm currently looking at TestDisk by CGSecurity. Any tips too? Thanks so much for your help and fast replies :) |
Curbd (13334) | ||
| 1317413 | 2012-12-10 05:20:00 | No experience on software (although I'd be keen to know because it will happen to me :rolleyes: ) Just remember that you will need to have a 2nd HDD to recover the data to since if you recover to the damaged/formatted HDD you will be overwriting the stuff you are trying to retrieve. | The Error Guy (14052) | ||
| 1317414 | 2012-12-10 05:22:00 | Which partition did you format? XP or ubuntu? If ubuntu, only the XP bootloader needs reinstalling as the grub files on the ubuntu partition are gone, so the grub bootloader won't work. If XP, testdisk is your best bet for restoring the previous ntfs partition, although as stated above, XP may need a repair install, or better yet, copy off the data from ubuntu or such, then a clean install. Testdisk can also give access to the lost data and you can copy it from there if you have some storage space available on another mounted volume. |
fred_fish (15241) | ||
| 1317415 | 2012-12-10 05:27:00 | Thanks for the advice on using a second hard drive, I have one formatted (correctly, this time!) and ready to go. The Error Guy, I'll let you know how I get on and what software I use. fred_fish, it was the XP volume that was formatted, Ubuntu was being run as a live cd. Thanks for the advice everyone, time for me to download a TestDisk live disc! I'll keep you posted. Curbd. |
Curbd (13334) | ||
| 1317416 | 2012-12-10 05:43:00 | If you have enough of a data cap you can download XP SP3 with almost all the latest updates from here (www.ryanvm.net) | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1317417 | 2012-12-10 06:34:00 | Thanks gary67, although painful I think I'll take the long approach - I can't risk errors. Thanks for the link, it's great to see that somebody has created the resource! Ok, question, in TestDisk I am asked what partition table the drive has. It was originally NTFS, but when I formatted it it was set to Ext3. My options in TestDisk are: Intel - Intel/PC partition (selected by default by TestDisk) EFI GPT partition map (Mac i386, some x86_64) Humax partition table Apple partition map Non partitioned media Sun Solaris partition XBox partition What should I choose? Thanks. Curbd. |
Curbd (13334) | ||
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