external Raw usb drive, clean command and restoring data

jumanji · 21 Apr 2016

If you want to run TestDisk, let me know beforehand so that I can give you the instructions. If you are going ahead without my instructions, just make sure you do not give any write command anytime..

When TestDisk shows you the found partitions after a Quick Search/Deep Search, you should only highlight each shown partition and press CTRL+P for it to list the files. Only one partition will show you the files. You should then select the files and give the copy command to copy the files to another external drive with adequate space. And this destination drive should have been plugged into system before you start TestDisk for it to see it.

Note: If Test Disk shows your partitions - which can be more than one as I stated earlier - you will also see a message in the Window that the partitions have been found using the backup bootsector.

If you have any doubts on what should be the next step, post a screenshot and ask for help. Don't give any command without knowing what it will do. You can quit Test Disk anytime by repeatedly pressing Q or clicking on the X (Close button) on the right hand top of the Window.

notis · 21 Apr 2016

Hi.
I tried already yesterday midnight (here is Spring time - no possible to sleep..)
Very carefully.. (better later than never..)
Unfortunately analysis was going very very slow (full of this fuc**** "cyclic redu.... " error)
Quit, Q and close it.
I'll try again with your instructions (let it as much it needs to finish)

I've a 'feeling' that 25000 files (easeus had found), 15 years of memories and work have fly in the universe...
At very least I keep joking...

Lao Tse said "be one with loss and deprivation so you can accept it... "
(loosing is an old story....)

I'll keep you knowing results, last message will be when I'll bury the disk.... as I see
you like to be in troubles too... :)

notis · 22 Apr 2016

It is scanning very slow
Like you see in screenshot after 10 hours is at lba 15566848 .
I count it needs 42 days! to finish... (not surprizing I was expecting more..)
Until now it shows the first DellUtility- Fat16 partition which is right.
I have to let it scanning for a month, I don't have other way.
What do you think? or is too much? laptop must not shut down for so long time.

[in screenshot shows different lba, I took the foto sometime ago -not important...]

jumanji · 22 Apr 2016

Let it keep chugging. It may pick up speed.

notis · 26 Apr 2016

Hello friend.
Today I had to move to another place. I closed scanning, not happy about ...
I upload last screenshot before I had to close it. 7% of the disk after 4 -5 days?(I don't remember how many)
Often I'm changing places so not easy to wait a month (maybe more?).
I have to complete scanning but the problem is that you have to start all over again.. Is there a way to continue from where you stop it?

jumanji · 26 Apr 2016

I couldn't find any authoritative information on stopping TestDisk and continuing later. Experiment. You can try this:

On the first screen choose [Create] . This will create a log file. Continue further till it searches. Note down the search position and stop. Quit TestDisk. Next time you run TestDisk Choose [Append] and proceed further. When it gets to search, note whether it starts from where it left taking the cue from the log file. If it does well and good. Otherwise there is no go.

notis · 28 Apr 2016

Ok.. I'm going to try it.
I did so many "mistakes" and you are still here helping me..
Thanks for all (for patience too..)