Thanks to All for your advises. Indeed, I most likely have a hardware
problem with this WD external drive. It no longer boots, that is for
sure... But, at most starts it get registered as scsi drive, as reveals
$cat /proc/scsi/scsi
it does most times, not all times. When it does not, I have to unplug
an,d replug it, and it will likely registers. Once registered, it
remains so.
Anyway, for a start I tried 'TestDisk. the test lasted about five hours,
and I copy/paste the log file below. In this text, I pointed out 16
lines that suggest a call to 'e2fsck', each with different paramaters
for -b and -B. Prior to try this, I thought I'd better ask your advices
first.
"e2fsck -b 214990848 -B 4096 device" may be needed
.....
I also noticed such lines :
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock, 1000 GB / 931 GiB
and I doubt if I understand what is a 'sparse' superblock
Also, about what the logfile mentions on FAT partitions... I don't think I had
a fat partition left ever since I had, about 4-5 years ago,reformatted the
whole drive to ext2. But there maybe remains of erased FAT partition, as I
can't remember whether the reformat that I did was a deep reformat or not.
Now, here is the logfile as its whole :
Using locale 'fr_FR.UTF-8'.
Terminal has only 22 lines
Using locale 'fr_FR.UTF-8'.
Terminal has only 22 lines
Using locale 'fr_FR.UTF-8'.
Mon Nov 27 16:20:47 2017
Command line: TestDisk /log /dev/sdb
TestDisk 6.14, Data Recovery Utility, July 2013
Christophe GRENIER <gren...@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Linux, kernel 3.13.0-32-generic (#57-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jul 15 03:51:08 UTC
2014) x86_64
Compiler: GCC 4.8
Compilation date: 2013-10-29T01:29:29
ext2fs lib: 1.42.9, ntfs lib: libntfs-3g, reiserfs lib: none, ewf lib: none
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63, sector size=512 - WD My
Book, FW:1028
Partition table type (auto): Mac
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - WD My Book
Partition table type: Mac
Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
check_part_mac failed for partition type AF
Current partition structure:
1 P partition_map 1 63 63
2 P Free 64 262207 262144
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
4 P Free 1953525152 1953525167 16
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock, 1000 GB / 931 GiB
interface_write()
P Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 1000 GB / 931 GiB - CHS 121601 255 63
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock, 1000 GB / 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 32768 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 98304 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 163840 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 229376 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 294912 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 819200 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 884736 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 1605632 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 2654208 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 4096000 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 7962624 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 11239424 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 20480000 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 23887872 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 71663616 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 78675968 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 102400000 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-8/8
heads/cylinder 4 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 17 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1232803376 1232824114 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1248094824 1248097703 2880 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
Linux 1248097704 1248100583 2880
ext2 blocksize=1024, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1248100584 1248103463 2880 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 36 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1567964760 1567970519 5760 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=1024, 2949 KB / 2880 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 36 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1695513088 1695518847 5760 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=1024, 2949 KB / 2880 KiB
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-8/8
heads/cylinder 4 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 17 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1698249656 1698270394 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1714882408 1714885287 2880 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
Linux 1714885288 1714888167 2880
ext2 blocksize=1024, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)
Unknown 1714888168 1714891047 2880 [Debian Inst]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
recover_EXT2: "e2fsck -b 214990848 -B 4096 device" may be needed
Linux 262208 1953525151 1953262944
ext2 blocksize=4096 Large file Sparse superblock Backup superblock, 1000 GB
/ 931 GiB
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
simulate write!
Interface Advanced
check_part_mac failed for partition type AF
1 P partition_map 1 63 63
2 P Free 64 262207 262144
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
4 P Free 1953525152 1953525167 16
HFS_HFSP_boot_sector
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
Volume header
Bad
Backup volume header
Bad
Sectors are not identical.
HFS_HFSP_boot_sector
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
Volume header
Bad
Backup volume header
Bad
Sectors are not identical.
Superblock Backup superblock
0000 0080a303 ac8d8d0e ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0008 1547ba00 bcd4e602 .G...... 00000000 00000000 ........
0010 7471a103 00000000 tq...... 00000000 00000000 ........
0018 02000000 02000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0020 00800000 00800000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0028 00200000 9de01159 . .....Y 00000000 00000000 ........
0030 00e21159 56002400 ...YV.$. 00000000 00000000 ........
0038 53ef0000 01000000 S....... 00000000 00000000 ........
0040 0388dd4b 004eed00 ...K.N.. 00000000 00000000 ........
0048 00000000 01000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0050 00000000 0b000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0058 00010000 38000000 ....8... 00000000 00000000 ........
0060 02000000 03000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0068 6f048c19 5ed54af8 o...^.J. 00000000 00000000 ........
0070 b665401f 92a05116 .e@...Q. 00000000 00000000 ........
0078 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0080 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0088 2f6d6564 69612f62 /media/b 00000000 00000000 ........
0090 642f3666 30343863 d/6f048c 00000000 00000000 ........
0098 31392d35 6564352d 19-5ed5- 00000000 00000000 ........
00A0 34616638 2d623636 4af8-b66 00000000 00000000 ........
00A8 352d3430 31663932 5-401f92 00000000 00000000 ........
00B0 61303531 31360000 a05116.. 00000000 00000000 ........
00B8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00C0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00C8 00000000 0000c503 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00D0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00D8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00E0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
00E8 00000000 214ef652 ....!N.R 00000000 00000000 ........
00F0 54f54df2 a8d486b3 T.M..... 00000000 00000000 ........
00F8 0bc68920 01000000 ... .... 00000000 00000000 ........
0100 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0108 0388dd4b 00000000 ...K.... 00000000 00000000 ........
0110 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0118 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0120 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0128 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0130 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0138 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0140 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0148 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0150 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0158 00000000 1c001c00 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0160 01000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0168 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0170 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0178 b0c11301 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0180 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0188 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0190 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
0198 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01A0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01A8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01B0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01B8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01C0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01C8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01D0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01D8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01E0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01E8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01F0 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
01F8 00000000 00000000 ........ 00000000 00000000 ........
Interface Advanced
check_part_mac failed for partition type AF
1 P partition_map 1 63 63
2 P Free 64 262207 262144
3 P HFS 262208 1953525151 1953262944
4 P Free 1953525152 1953525167 16
TestDisk exited normally.
arne wrote:
How am I to get this drive back to operation, or, at least, to
recuperate the datafiles that are stored in that WD external drive ?
Thanks in advance to tell me what diagnosis and repair tools I could
use
Bernard
Hello,
TestDisk checks the partition and boot sectors of your disks.
It is very useful in forensics, recovering lost partitions.
PhotoRec is file data recovery software designed to recover lost
pictures from digital camera memory or even Hard Disks.It has been
extended to search also for non audio/video headers.
Both are in the packet testdisk
Hope this helps,
Greeting.