1 Topic by Malcolm

  • Malcolm
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Topic: Partition Error

I have used an old version 0.5.2 of GParted to reduce the size of an NTFS partition. I have now hit the known bug that this version of GParted incorrectly modifies the MBR/PBR. I have read the post on this and here is the output from the fdisk and parted commands. Any help will be gratefully received.

A bit late but I have updated to the latest version now.

root@sysresccd /mnt/gentoo % parted /dev/sda unit s print
Model: ATA ST9640320AS (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 1250263728s
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start      End         Size        Type     File system  Flags
1      63s        80324s      80262s      primary  fat16
2      80325s     36944324s   36864000s   primary  ntfs         boot
3      36944325s  243208034s  206263710s  primary  ntfs

root@sysresccd /mnt/gentoo % fdisk -l -u

Disk /dev/sda: 640.1 GB, 640135028736 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 77825 cylinders, total 1250263728 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x103d7974

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1              63       80324       40131   de  Dell Utility
/dev/sda2   *       80325    36944324    18432000    7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3        36944325   243208034   103131855    7  HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 4043 MB, 4043309056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 491 cylinders, total 7897088 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x2c6b7369

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdb1              63     7887914     3943926    b  W95 FAT32

2 Reply by gedakc

  • gedakc
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Re: Partition Error

Next we will need copies of the Master Boot Record and the NTFS Partition Boot Record(s).

You can capture the Master Boot Record in a file with the following command:

NOTE:  Be extra careful to type this command in properly, otherwise loss of data could result.

dd if=/dev/sda of=sda-malcolm.mbr bs=512 count=1

where sda-malcolm.mbr is the name of the file that will need to be uploaded.


Which partition is experiencing the problem?


If the problem occurs with /dev/sda2, then you can capture the NTFS Partition Boot Record in a file with the following command:

NOTE:  Be extra careful to type this command in properly, otherwise loss of data could result.

dd if=/dev/sda of=sda2-malcolm.pbr bs=512 count=1 skip=80325

where sda2-malcolm.pbr is the name of the file that will need to be uploaded.


If the problem occurs with /dev/sda3, then you can capture the NTFS Partition Boot Record in a file with the following command:

NOTE:  Be extra careful to type this command in properly, otherwise loss of data could result.

dd if=/dev/sda of=sda3-malcolm.pbr bs=512 count=1 skip=36944325

where sda3-malcolm.pbr is the name of the file that will need to be uploaded.


Then upload these files to a media sharing site, such as mediafire, and post the link to these files in this forum post.

3 Reply by Malcolm

  • Malcolm
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Re: Partition Error

Thank you for your time to reply to my problem.

With some help from a friend I have managed to get my PC running again. The PBR of the NTFS partition needed to be corrected.

4 Reply by gedakc

  • gedakc
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Re: Partition Error

'Glad to hear that you were able to solve the problem.  smile