In this post, I’ll share the process of how I successfully recovered files and directories from a hard drive that had turned into an unallocated area, was partially formatted, had new partitions created, and one of those partitions had a new Linux system installed on it. If you’re curious about how I went about this, read on!
The Situation:
I recently purchased a new SSD (240GB) and intended to install an operating system on it. I followed the usual process: I downloaded the image, created a Linux Live USB, rebooted, and began installing the system. However, instead of a smooth process, I ran into a few issues.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been using VirtualBox and V Box Manage to install operating systems on various devices. In this case, I created a “link image” to my new SSD via VirtualBox. When I restarted my computer, I didn’t check anything thoroughly and launched VirtualBox again. The installer recognized my 240GB SSD as the target disk. I went ahead and created partitions (150GB for the file system, 10GB for swap, and 80GB for data) and proceeded with the installation.
While everything seemed to be going fine, it turned out that my “link image” led me to the wrong drive — it pointed to my old working HDD, not the SSD. This resulted in a situation where the partitions were created and formatted, but the data on the old HDD was in jeopardy.
The Recovery Process:
At this point, my old HDD had been partially formatted. The system had installed Linux on the new partition, which made things even more complicated. However, I wasn’t ready to give up on the lost data yet. I decided to attempt recovery.
Using TestDisk for Data Recovery
The first tool I turned to was TestDisk, which is widely regarded as one of the best programs for recovering files and partition tables. TestDisk is available for both Windows and Linux, making it a versatile solution for users across platforms.
TestDisk was actually the first program I ever used for data recovery. I had previously recovered data with it on a few occasions, so I felt confident it would work again. Since the disk had been formatted “quickly,” with only about 5GB of the new system installed, I hoped that around 745GB of data on the disk remained untouched.
I spent some time searching for exact instructions on how to approach this problem. Forums and user guides offered varying advice, but the situation seemed dire. I started losing hope, thinking “all is lost,” but I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I began considering other recovery programs to improve my chances.
Trying Other Recovery Tools
While TestDisk was my first choice, I wanted to explore other options in case it couldn’t recover all the data. One of the most promising suggestions I came across was Recuva, which has an excellent reputation for recovering files even from severely damaged or formatted drives. I also found several recommendations for using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which is another solid tool for data recovery.
Ultimately, I decided to rely on a combination of tools to ensure I wasn’t missing anything. By running TestDisk first and then supplementing it with Recuva and EaseUS, I was able to maximize my chances of restoring as much data as possible.
Step-by-Step Data Recovery Process:
- Stop Using the Affected Drive: As soon as I realized the data was at risk, I stopped using the drive to prevent overwriting. This is critical in any data recovery situation because the more data is written to the drive, the harder it becomes to recover lost files.
- Run TestDisk: I launched TestDisk and let it scan the drive for lost partitions and data. TestDisk was able to identify the old partition table, and I was able to recover many of the files that I had feared were gone forever.
- Use Additional Recovery Software: Once TestDisk recovered the partition table, I ran Recuva and EaseUS to scan for additional recoverable files. These tools helped me recover even more files that hadn’t been retrieved by TestDisk.
- Save the Recovered Files: Once I had recovered the files, I saved them to a different drive to avoid the risk of overwriting anything further on the original drive.
Lessons Learned and Tips for the Future:
- Always Double-Check Before You Install: Always verify which drive you are installing an operating system on, especially when working with multiple drives or using virtual environments. A simple mistake like selecting the wrong drive can lead to disaster.
- Backup, Backup, Backup: Regular backups are the best way to avoid data loss. Even when using recovery software, there’s no guarantee that everything will be recovered.
- Use Multiple Tools: Don’t rely on just one recovery tool. Sometimes different software can recover different files. Using a combination of tools, like TestDisk, Recuva, and EaseUS, can increase your chances of full data recovery.
- Stop Using the Drive: If you ever face a similar situation, avoid writing any more data to the drive. The more data written, the lower your chances of recovery.
Conclusion:
Recovering data after formatting and installing a new system can be tricky, but it is possible with the right approach and tools. In my case, TestDisk, along with additional recovery software, helped me salvage most of my data. While the process took time and effort, it was worth it to recover files I thought I had lost forever.
By following these steps and being cautious with your drive, you can improve your chances of a successful recovery in case you ever face a similar situation.
