1 Topic by jcsullivan

  • jcsullivan
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  • Registered: 2009-03-09
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Topic: Mixed-up newcomer

I have several questions and hope this is the correct Forum.

1. What's the difference between GParted and LiveCD am I missing something!?
2. I run XP and wondered if I could mount LiveCD to a virtual drive (using UltraISO) or must I boot the LiveCD?
3. I think I might have partitioned a small (EXTERNAL 3.5" USB) drive with ext2 (I didn't know what it was and used default), is it possible to recover the HDD since I can't even see it?

Thanks
jc

2 Reply by class413

  • class413
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Re: Mixed-up newcomer

Welcome to the GParted forum.

Some answers:

1. GParted is a software (source code) that one can compile and install in any Linux system. Various Linux distributions provide compiled versions, ready to install. The GParted livecd is an ISO file to make a cd. This cd can boot the computer and run GParted in RAM only, without the need to install anything on the computer.

2. GParted doesn't run under windows, it needs Linux. So, you have to boot from the livecd.

3. Formatting a partition doesn't necessarily erase the entire content of that partition. However, some parts are overwritten to create "entry points" to the new file system. This means that there is hope to recover the data, at least partially. You could try to use the "testdisk" software, that is able to scan the disk surface to detect any possible partition start point. Testdisk comes on a live cd together with "photorec", another recovery tool that is designed to scan the disk for specific file types. The GParted livecd contains testdisk (it works from the terminal window), but not photorec.

GParted is a powerful tool, used by many system administrators on professional systems and servers. We always advice to read the GParted manual in the documentation page, before any modifying operation. These operations are potentially dangerous for the data safety in case of error or any hardware failure, so backup of any important files is recommended.

(Topic moved to the live media section)

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

3 Reply by jcsullivan (edited by jcsullivan 2009-03-12 18:02:49)

  • jcsullivan
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Re: Mixed-up newcomer

Thank you for replying so quickly AND for moving the thread to the appropriate Forum.

Now, I get it, I think. GParted is the source and the LiveCD is the application. Don't hold back from smacking me on the head if I'm too dense.

I've heard of Linux for years and well, never got into it since I'm just a Windows user (perhaps a little above average) but just a user nonetheless. I wouldn't mind venturing there (from the user side) just for fun on a test machine - would you point me to a proper site which would guide me with minimum machine specs and EASY guide for the unititiated?

Testdisk comes on a live cd together with "photorec", another recovery tool that is designed to scan the disk for specific file types. The GParted livecd contains testdisk (it works from the terminal window), but not photorec.

How would you run/execute "testdisk" from the terminal wondow - presumably the terminal window is linux which, as I said above, I'm not familiar with.

I've answered my own question

I started to read the manual but I'm just old and no patience so, I dived right-in.

Thanks again for all the help.
jc

EDIT
I've also found, red-faced, that the IDE cable was NOT inserted fully.