Installed Ubuntu over Windows XP and accidentally formatted my drive...

[randomuser2349]

Is there any software for Ubuntu that can bring the files all back?

[jayd512]

Welcome to LinuxForums!

Did you actually format, and then install Linux over your XP partition?
If so, I'm sorry to say that your data is gone.

[randomuser2349]

Welcome to LinuxForums!

Did you actually format, and then install Linux over your XP partition?
If so, I'm sorry to say that your data is gone.

No, just installed it and the Windows and files were gone.

[jayd512]

So you're able to boot into Ubuntu?

Open up a terminal and execute:

fdisk -l

Post the output here. We'll be able to see if the Win partition is still present.

*That's a small L, not a 1.

[oz]

Is there any software for Ubuntu that can bring the files all back?

Hello and welcome!

The best recovery tool that I know of for lost partitions and data is TestDisk. You can find it on the Parted Magic LiveCD, or the SystemRescueCD. PhotoRec can also be found on those disks and can help in recovering files. You may have gone too far to bring it back, but it might be worth a shot.

[randomuser2349]

How to open up a terminal in the Ubuntu?

[randomuser2349]

Also, how do I open applications? I downloaded Test Disk and unzipped it to a Flash Drive.

[oz]

You can find the Gnome Terminal in the applications menu under Ubuntu. There should also be an icon for it residing on the Gnome panel that runs across the screen in Ubuntu. The easiest way to run TestDisk will be to run it from a liveCD or liveUSB device using a distribution such as Parted Magic. I'm not sure if the SystemRescueCD mentioned earlier offers a liveUSB option, but I know that Parted Magic does.

[devils casper]

You should use Testdisk in LiveCD/USB Mode only. You are trying to recover partition(s) and its not possible to do that with mounted partitions. Boot up from PartedMagic USB/CD and execute testdisk script.

[randomuser2349]

fdisk -l
ryan2@D:



That's all it said.