In the 2 years I've owned my laptop (that I bought new from mfg) its turned off by itself suddenly maybe 5 times. Just yesterday I can't even complete a backup without getting disk i/o errors and remembered that some months ago I wasn't able to copy a large collection of files without getting I/o errors also (but didnt think nothing of it and just did a backup instead). Chkdsk /f completes without any errors. Chkdsk /r hanged up for at least an hour in a specific number progression which would in intervals freeze my computer and manually cancelled the process when I read somewhere it may do more harm then good. I am assuming my disk is in trouble and some searches led me to believe I should: Clone my whole disk to external usb file with ddrescue: ddrescue --no-split /dev/hda image.img logfile.log ddrescue --direct --max-retries=3 /dev/hda image.img logfile.log ddrescue --direct --retrim --max-retries=3 /dev/hda image.img logfile.log ?? 2. ?? Use a bad sector recovery tool if I get errors on imaging critical files with : hddregenerate, getdataback, spinrite 6.0, DMDE, or just allow chkdsk /r complete and possibly save whatever was missed by ddrescue Restore my image file to a NEW laptop disk: ddrescue -f image.img /dev/hda restore.log ?? 4. ?? Run chkdsk /b on new disk Side comments: This is my first time ever having to do this. I'm decided to imaging w ddrescue first then I MIGHT do any lengthy & potentially harmful bad sector "fix" attempts later depending on how much CRITICAL data ddrescue images. Questions:: ?? 2. ?? Will ddrescue's log file inform me of the specific file and folder on bad sector that wasnt copied in first run?? ?? Does second ddrescue command do the same kind of work mentioned bad sector recovery software does making using any of those tools idiotic and redundant?? ALSO which of those mentioned tools would allow me to specifically target recovery on problem area on a folder/file or sector level and/or can restart recovery attempt?? I dont want to have to wait hours upon hours for diagnostics performed on sections of a disc I already got my data from, with a 500gb disk this will be a nightmare. ASAIK chkdsk & spinrite are out of the question for any time saving specific target strategies. ?? 4. ?? I read somewhere imaging software will copy bad sectors which IMO doesn't logically coincide with why other steps are performed and you should do a chkdsk /b on a new disk after image has been restored to new disk. Im not in too much of a position to critique since I dont have the slightest idea, none of these steps are in any way my own original thoughts but I have my doubts for this step. Im asking this question from a handset and waiting for responses before starting, thanks.
mike vital, It might be too late for your HD but this is what I'd try. Download "Image for Linux (GUI)" trial from... http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/downloads-image-for-linux.htm Unzip and... double click makedisk.exe, next Default Settings dot in I accept the agreement, next select your CD burner drive letter (you can use a CD-RW or a CD-R disc). Or USB flash drive. Finish Make sure the IFL CD or UFD boots in your system. Get back to us for the next step. Which OS are you using? How many partitions are on the HD?
Hey Brian, seeing that you're online and that IFL came up, I have a few IFL questions. If you think that may be OT here I can start a new thread. Cruise
Under IFL's Global Settings > Misc. there are 3 items I'm unsure about - as follows - should they be left checked? - Use New Windows MBR - Auto Scaling Restrictions - Auto Boot Partition Update Also, when I want to restart or shutdown after using IFL is there a quick way to do that from within the IFL GUI (without having to entering the Terminal and typing shutdown -r or shutdown -p)?
Yes, leave those selected. They should be selected in IFW too. See IFW, Settings, Help. There is a description of what these settings do. In IFL GUI, just right click the desktop and click Restart or Shutdown.
Thanks for the confirmation on those 3 items! Now that you mentioned it I ran IFW and they are checked. Right-click the IFL desktop - funny, I never thought of doing that. The truth be told I've been using DS a lot more of late than the Terabyte Trio (I still can't get over DS' simplicity). Thanks again - gotta run some errands now. Cruise
I like the automation features of the TeraByte trio. All my backup imaging is scheduled and runs without a GUI or command window appearing. An image can be restored by a double click in Windows. IFW in "Simple Operations Mode" is even simpler.
