mkfs -t ext3 /dev/hda1

[n0ob]

i was trying to mount my hdd, but it kept asking for the filesystem, and another forum told someone else to run mkfs -t ext /dev/hdb or something like that. And it was about 380/750 before i realised what happened. I reset my pc and of cource it couldn't boot anymore. I used Knoppix STD to run the command. and i have TrueCrypt encryption. Its in the process of decrypting, so maybe STD can go on and mount properly and I can get whatever files left over. Would it be possible to use fixmbr in the recovery console? what would be the best solution w/o spending money. I do not have a backup device, so i guess it serves me right. I guess its true what they say. Most computer problems sit in front of the monitor. Thanks for any help. I'm new to linux, so please be patient w/ me.

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

i was trying to mount my hdd, but it kept asking for the filesystem, and another forum told someone else to run mkfs -t ext /dev/hdb or something like that.

That's a worst suggestion one can get to mount a partition unless partition is empty.
You have changed filesystem of partition instead of mounting it. Try to recover partition table first. Fixmbr will re-install Windows Boot Loader only.

[n0ob]

Thanks for the reply. I've ran fixmbr and fixboot. then i ran chkdsk, which told me that there were unrecoverable problems . I've been looking into TestDisk which is implemented into Knoppix, but ill have to wait till TrueCrypt decrypts my drive. The worst possible case i can think of is that i will do a quick format to reinstall xp, and then use file scavenger. (unless someone knows a better free recovery utility). Also, i've looked into fsck, but that's a Linux recovery thing, which i doubt will work on Windows.