accessing non bootable NTFS partition/s on USB Hard Disk

sparkymarcopolo · 19 Mar 2012

Hi everyone, I've a disk in a laptop (XP NTFS with 3 partitions) that is failing to boot so I've placed it in a caddy and attempted to access it on my Windows 7 PC.

When it's connected it prompts me to initialise device first (which I suspected it would do).

I've managed to access partitions to some degree using a diag mount utility http://hddguru.com/software/2007.05....ind-and-Mount/ but where the data is stored it won't let me change the permissions, reporting the device is write protected when I attempt to re-assign full permission or ownership.

Having had a good look around for some software to access it and allow permission/ownership changing, I've not got that far and don't want to end up installing this and that.

Has anyone some suggestions how to access or can anyone recommend a utility so I can change the permissions/owner to get the data off?

Thanks

FliGi7 · 19 Mar 2012

You can try booting from a live linux cd and accessing the data from there.

SIW2 · 19 Mar 2012

yep - or try PartedMagic or similar

sparkymarcopolo · 20 Mar 2012

Ok, tried Ubantu Desktop and no luck, couldn't even see plugged in USB device.

Also tried Parted Magic, no luck there either.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

fseal · 20 Mar 2012

I guess I don't understand why you weren't just able to "import foreign disk" from the disk manager and access the partitions normally through explorer. (Or were all the partitions "gone"?)

Also, if all you need to do is get the data off, why do you need write permissions? If the disk is mounted read only you should still be able to read off the data to another drive then you can change the permissions there? Or are the file copy's failing? (Though if mounted normally through the disk manager they probably should)

FliGi7 · 20 Mar 2012

Being that it's prompting you to initialize the device, it's not properly mounting, so you'll have a hard time accessing it. Linux is your best bet for this, but don't expect it to show up as a mounted device, as you've just experienced.

First, disconnect all other hard drives except your failing one, then run the Linux live cd. You'll need to run the "sudo fdisk -l" command to check if Ubuntu can even see the hard drive. It should show up as /dev/sda or something of the sort. Post up a screenshot of the results.

sparkymarcopolo · 20 Mar 2012

Ok, now you've lost me. Is this Disk Manager in Ubantu Desktop (I was using the try it and not install version)?

When I plug the device into my Windows Vista/7 PC's, the only way I can access it is using the mount tool and the files I need are in Documents and Setting > UserName (it's when I go here that I'm advised about permissions) an why I tried to change the security.

FliGi7 · 20 Mar 2012

This is Ubuntu Desktop but it is not Disk Manager. Disk Manager only shows mounted volumes. You'll need to open a command prompt and run that command.

sparkymarcopolo · 20 Mar 2012

FliGi7 said:

This is Ubuntu Desktop but it is not Disk Manager. Disk Manager only shows mounted volumes. You'll need to open a command prompt and run that command.

Righto, is there a specific live flavour I should download?

FliGi7 · 20 Mar 2012

Doesn't matter. Just get the latest one.

Actually, download this one:

http://ubuntu-rescue-remix.org/

Then, you can use these tutorials to help recover your data:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DataRecovery

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15761...buntu-live-cd/

http://geekyprojects.com/storage/how...-table-or-mbr/