Ubuntu Live Cd can't find HDD.

So I have an HP machine that ran Vista 64. There was an Nvidia update that created a BSOD (nvstor.sys) on startup, couldn;t even get into safe mode.I decided to use Ubuntu Live CD and see if I can extract the info from the HDD that way. Problem is, the HDD is not even showing up. Its not there to mount. It is showing up in the BIOS. How can I access the HDD? PLEASE? I've been working on this for a couple weeks now.

If you do a

fdisk -l

in terminal does it see the hard drive?

No. But it sees the USB flash drive I have attached. The Hard Drive is listed in the BIOS though.

I don't think that is good. The file system may be corrupted enough that Ubuntu does not see the drive or the drive is damaged but still can be seen by BIOS. I would download Seatools for DOS, a bootable iso and run a scan on the drive. If Seatools does not see the drive, make sure you change the mode in BIOS from AHCI to IDE. Then reboot with the disk and see if it can access the drive.

http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/item/seatools-dos-master/

I ran the scan and Seatools found the drive on Generic ATA. SMART is Supported and ENABLED. SMART Has NOT Been Tripped. Now how do I get Ubuntu to recognize it?

It's unusual  that Ubuntu does not see it. For recovering files I prefer Puppy linux. (128MB) Download Puppy 5.2.8 (middle of page) and burn the iso. Boot and you should see the hard drive in the lower left of the desktop. Click once and it will automatically be mounted. Attach your USB drive to the computer and you will see a USB icon appear. Click once and it will be mounted. Copy by dragging the files you need to the USB folder window.

Here is a good article on using Puppy. See page 2. I would not do the ntfsfix until files are recovered.

http://www.winhelp.us/recover-files-using-puppy-linux.html

It's unusual  that Ubuntu does not see it

How can I access the HDD? PLEASE?

run gparted-pkexec or use the Gparted icon from the Dash

In Puppy linux go to menu /system/GParted

BUT

Only look DO NOT do anything else Do Not click anything BUT the X to exit GParted .

There should be at least  1 partition, One called sda or sda1 thats the c\ drive It should be the big grey area saying something like Un Allocated.

Reply here for more Instructions.

In puppy Linux you could also try Pmount  Menu/File System/Pmount

If it mounts first thing back up all your documents etc.

Insert a usb stick/HDD  into pc open it along side the open My documents folder and drag n drop the folder onto USB.

DO NOT select move the files .......SELECT copy the files then when done confirm the files are in fact on the USB.

Primum non nocere.

Edited by NickAu1, 12 March 2014 - 02:10 AM.

Hey thanks NickAu1. We're on to something. I used Puppy Linux like you said and Gparted shows sda internal drive Descr: ATA ST3500620AS.

Awaiting further instructions.

Btw...when I opened Pmount, it doesn't show the hard drive, only the optical drive and the USBdrv.

Edited by DeejayDell, 11 March 2014 - 09:03 AM.

 

Hey thanks NickAu1. We're on to something. I used Puppy Linux like you said and Gparted shows sda internal drive Descr: ATA ST3500620AS.

Awaiting further instructions.

You are welcome.

Lets do this.

This process may or may not work USE AT OWN RISK

First open GParted.

Then go to Device

Then select " attempt to recover data" ONLY  this process may take some time. If it works you will be able to copy your files.

I will try and guide you thru this process if you do not understand anything STOP exit GParted and ask me again. There are NO stupid questions only Stupid mistakes. I will not knowingly harm your pc. Primum non nocere.

If this dose not work there are other options.

Edited by NickAu1, 11 March 2014 - 09:30 AM.

Okay so when you say Gparted...you mean "Gparted partition manager" right?

I clicked that and a grey box pops up with "Gparted" as the window header amd then lists all the drives (flash drive and hard drive).

I selected the hard drive "sda internal drive. Descr: ATA ST3500620AS" (this is the hard drive I'm trying to recover).

Then I click the "OKAY"

Next a box opens up with the header "/dev/sda -GParted"

The hard drive is listed below.

I selected the hard drive which is listed as "unallocated"

Then I clicked "device" from the menu on top.

A drop down box opened up and I selected "Attempt Data Rescue"

and then ::sigh:: a box opened up... ::sigh:: "Command gpart was not found. This feature uses gpart. Please install gpart and try again."

::sigh::

What now?

Thanks for your help so far...please don't think its going unappreciated.

Yes GParted Partition Manager.

Ok.

This process may or may not work USE AT OWN RISK

Do it with unbuntu Gparted. next.

Or

Here is a little magic for you.

Pay close attention here please.

1 boot Unbuntu from the live disc.

2 Install Unbuntu along side Windows. the installer will see the Hard Drive and after install the linux bootloader takes over.

What you say?

.

When you start the install you will get a few options on how to install Unbuntu and where. Select the install alongside windows. this should allow you to boot vista.

Read This

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/526931/tried-to-make-unbuntu-partition-messed-up/

Watch this.

http://youtu.be/86KHkeBpsbA

Edited by NickAu1, 11 March 2014 - 10:33 AM.

oh boy. Ubuntu installer says no operating system was found. I didn't want to go ahead because I didn't want to mess things up.

Good Stop.

Its 3 am here and I need sleep.

I will think about it.

 

I've been working on this for a couple weeks now.

I do not wish to say this but unbuntu installer may be right. You may have at some stage deleted the partition.

But at least we can see the drive now. Thats a start.

If anybody else has ideas feel free to contribute.

Edited by NickAu1, 11 March 2014 - 10:27 AM.

I think not going ahead is best - attempting to write to a damaged disk or file system will reduce your chances of being able to recover anything from it.

In Ubuntu there is the Disk Utility which you might be familiar with.  If you start that up you can use it to read the HDD's SMART status, if it's supported.

Above screen shows in a graphical format any partitions on the disk.  If it's all "unallocated" then it means that the disk is severely corrupted and you would need to use data recovery tools to recover anything from it (or have it carried out by a specialist).  Choosing SMART Data & Self Tests is how you check the SMART status in this version of Disk Utility.  Yours might vary depending on version of Ubuntu.

This checks the drives own self monitoring system (SMART).  If anything is highlighted in red (particularly things like uncorrectable sector count) indicates a physical problem with the drive and is a sign to replace it.

@ jonuk

 

I think not going ahead is best - attempting to write to a damaged disk or file system will reduce your chances of being able to recover anything from it.

That is correct this was going to be my next thing I try.

As jonuk is better with Unbuntu than I am I leave it to him to guide you thru the process.