Ubuntu

Need help recovering data lost after mistaken reformat.

Asked by WestCoast

I am new to Ubuntu. I was setting up my system to dual boot Windows XP and Ubuntu. However, instead of Windows loading itself on the prepared c & d partitions of my 160 gig internal hard drive, it wiped out my 260 gig non-bootable USB External data disk (and all the data files on it), repartitioned the external drive (one 28 gig partition and one 204 gig partition), loaded Windows on the first partition (28gig), and a small program (20-40 meg) on the second (204 gig partition). I need those data files back, ASAP!

Windows has occupied about 2 gig of the 1st (28 gig partition), and about 20-40 meg of the second 204 gig partition. The files are there I have seen them. I tried a windows based demo which showed me my wpd, jpeg, gif, avi files. They are there. Unfortunately, I am in critical need of these files (especially the wpd files), but I simply can't afford the 500-1500 cost of the program!.

I am an 'old' MS Dos User from long ago so I am not too foreign to the command line, but I am 'very new' to the Ubuntu/Linux language. Does anyone know of a Ubuntu/Linux/Windows program that is not terribly complex ('new user stye) that will help me recover my data files. Critical files needed now are (Word Perfect) wpd files as well as jpg, gif, etc.

Thanks,
WestCoast

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Allen Chemist (alchemist) said : 		#1

Please contact me (<email address hidden>), I have a method for you to recover your files. I am unfamiliar with any ubuntu software to do this, though I know some exists. If anyone else has OSS suggestions, feel free to detail below. In the mean time, WestCoast email me and I can help you out :)

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Allen Chemist (alchemist) said : 		#2

have you tried scalpel? I am just learning to use it for the first time, after giving the abysmal answer above. I have tested the following process against a USB key with erased data; I was successful at recovering most of the data.

For anyone wanting to do file recovery, try the following process. It is important to NOT write any data to the drive you are trying to recover from, as you will accidentally over-write data you are trying to recover (this is true for all recovery software).

First, install 'scalpel' using synaptic.

Next, edit the file scalpel.conf:
gksudo gedit /etc/scalpel/scalpel.conf

Uncomment the beginning of the lines corresponding to the file types you wish to undelete, then save the file.

On the command line, type the following:
sudo scalpel -o /media/usbdisk/ /dev/sdc1

This will save the recovered data to "/media/usbdisk/", and it will attempt to recover from /dev/sdc1. It is important to remember that "/media/usbdisk/" should not be the same place you are trying to recover from!

Hope this helps

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bobbypavan (bobbypavan-g) said : 		#3

I have lost 250 GB of data while installing windows on a secondary hard disk. Can i retrieve this datat using any Linux application?

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