Linux/Unix help

[todd e]

so all wise linux/unix peeps, i need some help.  i've heard that you can recover HD, by using the knoppix CDROM and then mount the faulty drive, copy data to a clean drive and go from there, assuming the fault is with a part of the actual mechanism.  anybody?

[nic]

true, I've had to do that a couple of times here at work, though you can use Knoppix, Ubuntu, etc...pretty much any "live cd".
if the hard drive is formatted ntfs the read will be slow compared to a fat drive, but will still work.

[ianstone]

true, I've had to do that a couple of times here at work, though you can use Knoppix, Ubuntu, etc...pretty much any "live cd".
if the hard drive is formatted ntfs the read will be slow compared to a fat drive, but will still work.

great, can you help me walk through the process at all?

like if i put the bad drive in a CPU and have a brand new empty drive in there as well, how i will be able to copy the contents of the bad drive to the new drive?

the bad drive is making a clicking noise...

thx
ian

[fozzy]

is the new drive formatted?  are the drives fat32 or ntfs  (i don't know if knoppix can write ntfs but it should be able to read it)

at the command prompt from the knoppix boot type in the following

prompt# dmesg | grep hd

you should see

/dev/hda
/dev/hdb
/dev/hdc

with some information after it, one will be the old HD one will be the new hd and possible some dvd/cdroms

Lets start there and i can walk you through mounting the drives and possibly formatting the new one fat32

[ianstone]

+T

i don't yet have the new drive, was about to go buy one...

just PM'd you

[ethan]

If the drive is dead you may not be able to recover this way. Depend what kind of I/O errors you get when you mount it.

Usually this method works if something is f'up on the boot drive and it won't boot but the drive is functional.

[ianstone]

If the drive is dead you may not be able to recover this way. Depend what kind of I/O errors you get when you mount it.

Usually this method works if something is f'up on the boot drive and it won't boot but the drive is functional.

hmm, so ethan, do you think in my case a board replacement is necessary?

my drive is making a clicking sound

i tried putting in a USB enclosure and connect to a diff computer, and it still makes the same click and wont show up in 'my computer'

[nic]

if its clicking you may not be able to salvage, but you can always try placing the drive in a airtight ziplock baggie (wrapp the drive in a paper towel, then insert into baggie) and place it in a freezer for a few hours then try plugging it into a pc to recover files.
the clicking sound is usually the heads knocking against the platter....not good.

if you can get the drive mounted, Fozzy is going to be far a better option in walking you through this than myself, but I sent you a pm anyways.