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Ali BFlag for Australia

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recover data from external ext3FS (ubuntu)

I need to recover important data that I stored on user's desktop on UBUNTU OS. The ubuntu OS is installed alone on external HDD (30 GB). I used to boot from the external HDD fine. But now, it gives (grub 1.5 loading... error 17).
Now I have both WinXP (NTFS) + UBUNTU (ext3) + extra partition (FAT32) all are on the internal HDD. However, the new (internal) UBUNTU doesn't show the external HDD so I can recover my files. And on the XP I can see the external HDD on disk management. But, even with using (ext3) reader I couldn't access the external HDD.
I'm looking for a way to fix the external HDD so it can't boot again. Or a way to recover my data.
To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>".
See "man sudo_root" for details.
 
ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ sudo fdisk -l
[sudo] password for ali: 
 
Disk /dev/sda: 60.0 GB, 60011642880 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 7296 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x92279227
 
   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *           1        2550    20482843+   7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2            2551        6197    29294527+   c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda3            6198        7296     8827717+  83  Linux
 
Disk /dev/sdb: 30.0 GB, 30005821440 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3648 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00006ce4
 
   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdb1   *           1        3492    28049458+  83  Linux
/dev/sdb2            3493        3648     1253070    5  Extended
/dev/sdb5            3493        3648     1253038+  82  Linux swap / Solaris
ali@goldeneye-linux:~$

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diskmanage.jpg
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rindi
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make a mount point for the external disk (ie /media/sdb1). Then mount those two partitions (mount /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1). If that works without errors you should now have access to the linux partition via /media/sdb1.
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ASKER

as a limited user with linux, I still searching for how to make a mount point!
sudo mkdir /media/sdb1
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ASKER

output:

ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ mount /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1
mount: only root can do that
ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ mount /dev/sdb1
mount: can't find /dev/sdb1 in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab
ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ mount /media/sdb1
mount: can't find /media/sdb1 in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1
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ASKER

ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1
[sudo] password for ali:
mount: you must specify the filesystem type

i gave it a try, but seemed wrong (see code)


ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ sudo mount /dev/sdb1 ext3 /media/sdb1
Usage: mount -V                 : print version
       mount -h                 : print this help
       mount                    : list mounted filesystems
       mount -l                 : idem, including volume labels
So far the informational part. Next the mounting.
The command is `mount [-t fstype] something somewhere'.
Details found in /etc/fstab may be omitted.
       mount -a [-t|-O] ...     : mount all stuff from /etc/fstab
       mount device             : mount device at the known place
       mount directory          : mount known device here
       mount -t type dev dir    : ordinary mount command
Note that one does not really mount a device, one mounts
a filesystem (of the given type) found on the device.
One can also mount an already visible directory tree elsewhere:
       mount --bind olddir newdir
or move a subtree:
       mount --move olddir newdir
One can change the type of mount containing the directory dir:
       mount --make-shared dir
       mount --make-slave dir
       mount --make-private dir
       mount --make-unbindable dir
One can change the type of all the mounts in a mount subtree
containing the directory dir:
       mount --make-rshared dir
       mount --make-rslave dir
       mount --make-rprivate dir
       mount --make-runbindable dir
A device can be given by name, say /dev/hda1 or /dev/cdrom,
or by label, using  -L label  or by uuid, using  -U uuid .
Other options: [-nfFrsvw] [-o options] [-p passwdfd].
For many more details, say  man 8 mount .

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sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1
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@rindi
it seems something is missing!!

output:
ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdb1,
       missing codepage or helper program, or other error
       In some cases useful info is found in syslog - try
       dmesg | tail  or so

ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1 auto defaults 0 0
bash: /dev/sdb1: Permission denied

ali@goldeneye-linux:~$ /dev/sdb1 /media/sdb1 ext3 defaults 0 0
bash: /dev/sdb1: Permission denied


BTW the OS on external HDD has a user & password do we need those info?
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ASKER

how bout reinstalling UBUNTU on the external HDD? is it possible to have the system run again with out deleting my files?
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rindi
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yeah indeed the HD is corrupted. Before reading rindi's previous post, I was already trying (DiskInternals Linux Reader). And it didn't read anything! But the (DiskInternals Linux Recovery) was able to recover all files I was concern about. However, it doesn't support non english file names (it uses some unknown characters).
Anyway, few Gig's are being recovered. And I won't stop, will continue trying to bring the HD to life again :D
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ASKER

OK... some new news

the external HDD is internal now. I used Hiren's boot CD. The HDD for Fujitsu was successful. It has no error.
In addition, my recovery process using (DiskInternals Linux Recovery) has stopped in the middle. It can't recover the rest of my data (it takes so long time, freezes, and recovers zero byte data).

@rindi
where there was no error with the HDD, commands can't be applied yet!
I think we need to fix the boot loader. Is there any tool for fixing GRUB?. I've seen some tools on Hiren's All in 1, those for MBR fixing will they help? which one to use?
Or do I go with reinstalling UBUNTU idea?

any clue?
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ASKER

find attached screen shoot, when I wanted to reinstall. I think reinstalling without formatting is impossible!
damn it, each OS and each software has its own look, for this HDD!!!
Screenshot-Install.png
I don't use or have hiren's CD as it uses some pirated software illegally, while the software on the UBCD is completely legal. You can try fixing grub by booting your ubuntu CD, it should have an option for that (or use it to start into recovery mode). The mbr tools probably won't help. Also I don't think installing ubuntu without formatting is a good idea as it will still overwrite some of your data.
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ASKER

I was able to recover some of my files using recovery software. Files were recovered from the hard disk as a RAW HDD.
anyway, I think I can't go any further. And the HDD can't be fixed. I'm some how satisfy with the recovered data and will try to format the hard disk soon.