Which programs to use for HDD diags within Linux and which flavor do you use (Linux)?

[Encrypted Existence]

Hello all. I would like to make a dedicated Linux box for HDD diags and data recovery. I would like to know which flavor of Linux you like best and which programs you use for HDD diags and data recovery from within Linux. Thanks.

 

[iisjman07]

I'd recommend the System Rescue CD, it comes with lots of stuff built in. For diags you can use badblocks, for data recovery you can use ddrescue, photorec, testdisk, ntfsundelete…

 

[atlanticjim]

Hello all. I would like to make a dedicated Linux box for HDD diags and data recovery. I would like to know which flavor of Linux you like best and which programs you use for HDD diags and data recovery from within Linux. Thanks.

LOL. Thanks for posting this question ... I had just logged into TN to post THE EXACT SAME THING!

 

[mrvoids]

Many of the forensics live cd's are good for what your looking for most of them contain the programs mentioned above plus the device listing and mounting program often will give you the smart information and allow you to run the smart tests. A few of them are DEFT linux, CAINE, and Backtrack. Also for another program like ddrescue check out dc3dd.

 

[PCX]

Well, you can do just about anything on Linux that you can do on Windows. Most programs that you use on Windows either has just as good of an alternative or better on Linux. Unless your a heavy gamer, Linux should suit most of your needs. However, since this is primarily a computer repair forum, here are the utilities I use

Live CDs: Helps to quickly determine if an issue is software or hardware. Also allows you to test hard drives for those computers where you have to completely take apart the computer to get to the drive.
Kaspersky Rescue Disk: Gentoo linux, not sure why you would scan a virus infested HDD from another Windows machine.
ddrescue: data recovery, cloning
fdisk: data recovery
gsmartcontrol: SATA HDD SMART test
disk utility: quick bad sector count. Also, if gsmartcontrol keeps aborting test, often time this utility will catch an electro mechanical error.

Other General Uses

Data Transfers: No permission issues (on a Windows HDD, must be root for Mac), no need to worry about viruses
Data Backup: Same as above
File Manipulation: Can again easily modify or edit files without worrying about viruses or permission issues.
Just about anything else you can think of.

That covers a great majority of the tools we use on a regular basis, not to include our motherboard diagnostics and memtest86+




All I can say is the Linux has made my job as a tech and shop owner easier, safer, and more efficient than Windows ever could. If you can't make money off it, then your doing something wrong.

That was quoted from another thread I responded to. I left some of it out . . . .

 

[16k_zx81]

I wish someone would make a decent gui for gddrescue. Im all keen to use it but dont have the patience for all that sda bollocks. I can do it but it makes my brain hurt!

 

[PCX]

I wish someone would make a decent gui for gddrescue. Im all keen to use it but dont have the patience for all that sda bollocks. I can do it but it makes my brain hurt!

Really? Well, one suggestion I can give you is this. Save the command that you most commonly use on a note pad and copy and paste like this

ddrescue -r3 -v /dev/sda /dev/sdb logfile

and then edit the locations accordingly. You can check the disk utility or gparted if you are unsure of the appropriate locations and need an easy way to identify them. Once you have used the command, you can then press the up arrow key to find the command again and again edit the locations accordingly.

It's really not that hard, we use it regularly, so we are pretty used to it.

 

[Peaceful]

<<< Hasn't a clue what he ^^^^ just said

 

[kwisher]

If you are new to Linux and want to install it to a spare machine, I would suggest Linux Mint 11 Gnome. All of the disk utilities you will need are already installed or can be easily installed at any time. Linux Mint is the most "newbie" friendly version that I know of.

 

[HFultzjr]

Hello all. I would like to make a dedicated Linux box for HDD diags and data recovery. I would like to know which flavor of Linux you like best and which programs you use for HDD diags and data recovery from within Linux. Thanks.

Hello,

For recovering (copying) data.....I use Puppy Linux.

Boots really fast
Minimal system requirements.....works on older equipment
Auto mounts drives....including a usb if you have it plugged in before booting
When booted....open the hard drive....open the USB.......copy and paste

It seems to copy files that are corrupted also.

I have also used it on drives that were not visible in Win environments.

Doesn't give errors or stops when problem file found...just keeps right on going.

I believe the version I'm using is 5.25 or 525, or something like that. Don't know if that's the latest, but that version will auto mount drives making it really easy for those not experienced with Linux.

Also make a great operating system for older computers needing just the basics like checking e-mail, web surfing, etc.

One of the easiest Linux versions to learn and play with.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[PCX]

If you are new to Linux and want to install it to a spare machine, I would suggest Linux Mint 11 Gnome. All of the disk utilities you will need are already installed or can be easily installed at any time. Linux Mint is the most "newbie" friendly version that I know of.

Linux Mint 11 is the way to go right now. Most of the programs I listed though would have to be installed via synaptic package manager or terminal.

sudo apt-get install nameofprogram nameofprogram2 nameofprogram3

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Check this out http://www.technibble.com/bootmed-live-cd-help-diagnose-and-repair-a-damaged-windows-install/

 

[16k_zx81]

One of the easiest Linux versions to learn and play with.

I had to read that line twice to be sure it was really what you said.

Seriously? Puppy?

 

[PCX]

I had to read that line twice to be sure it was really what you said.

Seriously? Puppy?

I have to agree . . . Seriously? Puppy?

Linux Mint 11

 

[dbdawn]

I have to agree . . . Seriously? Puppy?

Linux Mint 11

I started out and still use Puppy when using a live cd.

 

[PCX]

Puppy is good for very old machines, nowadays, you can just use linux mint and its way more adequate and can accomplish way more. Then again, I use Linux Mint on live USB not CD. Besides, Linux Mint is way easier to use and learn.

 

[HFultzjr]

I had to read that line twice to be sure it was really what you said.

Seriously? Puppy?

Hello,

Yes.....SERIOUSLY!

Boot CD......Auto mounts drives.....copy and paste.....what could be easier!

Works on older machines running XP with 128mb or 256mb ram, etc .

As I stated ONE of the easiest to use.

Yes, MINT is good also, as are many others.

I just find PUPPY the easiest, quickest way to copy data off of machines with minimal requirements.

I haven't tried it yet, but I could probably be booted and copying data, before MINT boots on a machine with 128mb or 256 mb of ram.

Yes, I still get machines in with those ram specs....many leave with a ram upgrade.

Dell especially liked to sell XP with 128mb or 256mb of ram and we all know how that works.........Slooooow!

MINT is my preference only.

As they are all "free", try as many as you like and use what works best for your situation. You will find one that fits your need best....and they are fun to try when you have some extra time.

 

[PCX]

Hello,

Yes.....SERIOUSLY!

Boot CD......Auto mounts drives.....copy and paste.....what could be easier!

Works on older machines running XP with 128mb or 256mb ram, etc .

As I stated ONE of the easiest to use.

Yes, MINT is good also, as are many others.

I just find PUPPY the easiest, quickest way to copy data off of machines with minimal requirements.

I haven't tried it yet, but I could probably be booted and copying data, before MINT boots on a machine with 128mb or 256 mb of ram.

Yes, I still get machines in with those ram specs....many leave with a ram upgrade.

Dell especially liked to sell XP with 128mb or 256mb of ram and we all know how that works.........Slooooow!

MINT is my preference only.

As they are all "free", try as many as you like and use what works best for your situation. You will find one that fits your need best....and they are fun to try when you have some extra time.

Well, that makes sense, you doing things completely, well, odd. Why would you not pull the drive, hook it up to a bench computer and transfer it to another drive that way? Makes no sense, especially for slower computers. In fact, Mint would not even make sense for this either. The only time I do not pull a drive and hook it up to a bench computer, is if it's an AIO Desktop or a laptop that requires to be completely taken apart to get to the hard drive, in which case, they are more likely to be faster computers.

If you are only using Live Linux CDs for this purpose, you are severely limiting all that you can and should do with Linux. I personally have several machines with Linux on them (only 2 of them have windows installed) and they all do my diagnostics, data transfers / backups, recovery / forensics, cloning, ect. The only time I use a live cd or usb is to for the computers mentioned above and to quickly eliminate issues as hardware or software related, which is much easier to do in Linux Mint.

Again, if the only reason why you are using Linux is do data transfers, then you are severely limiting what you can do as a tech. If you are still leaving the hard drive in the machine instead of pulling it out, then you are not using common sense. If you are opting to use live CDs in general instead of having a dedicated machine to do the heavy lifting, then I suggest that you change your way of thinking.

 

[HFultzjr]

Well, that makes sense, you doing things completely, well, odd. Why would you not pull the drive, hook it up to a bench computer and transfer it to another drive that way? Makes no sense, especially for slower computers. In fact, Mint would not even make sense for this either. The only time I do not pull a drive and hook it up to a bench computer, is if it's an AIO Desktop or a laptop that requires to be completely taken apart to get to the hard drive, in which case, they are more likely to be faster computers.

If you are only using Live Linux CDs for this purpose, you are severely limiting all that you can and should do with Linux. I personally have several machines with Linux on them (only 2 of them have windows installed) and they all do my diagnostics, data transfers / backups, recovery / forensics, cloning, ect. The only time I use a live cd or usb is to for the computers mentioned above and to quickly eliminate issues as hardware or software related, which is much easier to do in Linux Mint.

Again, if the only reason why you are using Linux is do data transfers, then you are severely limiting what you can do as a tech. If you are still leaving the hard drive in the machine instead of pulling it out, then you are not using common sense. If you are opting to use live CDs in general instead of having a dedicated machine to do the heavy lifting, then I suggest that you change your way of thinking.

Hello,

Why would I pull a hard drive, copy the data, put the hard drive back in, when I can run a live CD to copy the data to a thumbdrive...WHILE I'm doing something else, then format and re-install OS....all without opening the machine?

Sure it depends on what the customer wants....I may open the machine, clean out, upgrade RAM, etc....then I may slave the drive to another machine.

There are many ways to get the same thing accomplished, to always limit you self to slaving the hard drive....seems, well, odd, to my way of thinking.

I'm not trying to start a debate or saying one is right one is wrong, just giving an honest opinion on ONE option.

As I've stated in my original post.....PUPPY makes a great OS for "challenged machines"

I would also state that many other versions of Linux is equally as great or better.

I don't limit myself to using Linux for data recovery...it's just the purpose I stated in my original post.


PEACE!