Executing the TestDisk Program

Working with Hard Disk Image Files

TestDisk can also work with hard disk images. The disk image must be available under its image_filename in the working directory, or you can add its Path and filename to a TestDisk command line. For example:

testdisk_win.exe C:\BOCHS\DOS\c.img

will include the Path\image_file, c.img, in the list of drives on TestDisk's initial screen. Then open the image file just like any physical drive.

Image files are limited in size by the OS and filesystem:
2 GiB (FAT16), 4 GiB (FAT32), 16 GiB (EXT2/3 with 1kb block), 256 GiB (EXT2/3 with 2kb block), 2048 GiB (EXT2/EXT3 with 4kb block)

TestDisk Startup

When TestDisk is executed, you may see the phrase "Please wait..." on your screen until it has gathered enough data from the BIOS or OS to list the disk drives on the system.

screen01.gif

If the reported size doesn't match the harddisk size, i.e., a 120 GB harddisk is recognized as only a 32 GB harddisk, check your BIOS harddisk settings and the jumpers on the disk. On most large hard disks, there are jumpers to limit the size to only 32 or 8 GB. If your HD is detected as 130 GB only, LBA48 support may not be avaible in your OS, read TestDisk and OS choice for more information.


TestDisk Menu Items

Analyse

Delete

MBR Code

Disk Geometry

Options

Advanced


If you don't understand how to use TestDisk,

Note: TestDisk appends new information to testdisk.log; it does not overwrite an existing file.

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