Please bear with me....
I have a hard drive (WD3200AAKS) with Windows 7 on an NTFS partition, which was used internally. To install Linux ZorinOS for a dual system, I successfully resized the existing partition and allocated sufficient space to accommodate the new OS. I do not remember which disk utility I used for that. During ZorinOS installation from a DVD, I was asked to determine where the swap file location should be and what size. According to some information online, it could not be on the same partition as the new OS, and since one of the tips was to choose the other (the Windows one) partition for it, I idiotically did put it right over it - and have since been unable to access any data on that HD with any disk/partition utility in another Linux or Windows system when connected via USB. TestDisk produces a lot of data on it, but I have no clue what it means.Is there a way to undo this, sort of "revert it to a previous state"? It shows 217 GB free and 103 GB used. Many thanks in advance.
There are 3 more TestDisk screenshots besides these here, and also here is a partial TestDisk log:
Fri Feb 28 08:34:50 2014

Command line: TestDisk

TestDisk 6.14, Data Recovery Utility, July 2013
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org
OS: Linux, kernel 3.11.0-12-generic (#19-Ubuntu SMP Wed Oct 9 16:20:46 UTC 2013) x86_64
Compiler: GCC 4.8
Compilation date: 2013-08-23T17:34:40
ext2fs lib: 1.42.8, ntfs lib: libntfs-3g, reiserfs lib: none, ewf lib: none
/dev/sda: LBA, HPA, LBA48, DCO support
/dev/sda: size 234441648 sectors
/dev/sda: user_max 234441648 sectors
/dev/sda: native_max 234441648 sectors
Warning: can't get size for Disk /dev/mapper/control - 0 B - 1 sectors, sector size=512
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 120 GB / 111 GiB - CHS 14593 255 63, sector size=512 - Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB, S/N:S1D5NSADA86309P, FW:EXT0BB0Q
Disk /dev/sdf - 16 GB / 15 GiB - CHS 15474 64 32, sector size=512 - Corsair Voyager, FW:1100
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63, sector size=512 - WDC WD32 00AAKS-00B3A0, FW:3A01

Partition table type (auto): Intel
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - WDC WD32 00AAKS-00B3A0
Partition table type: None

Interface Advanced
NTFS at 38913/80/63
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
P Unknown 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
Change partition type:
P exFAT 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448

exFAT_boot_sector
P exFAT 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
Boot sector
Bad

Backup boot record
Bad

Sectors are not identical.

exFAT_boot_sector
P exFAT 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
Boot sector
Bad

Backup boot record
Bad

Sectors are not identical.

exFAT_boot_sector
P exFAT 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
Boot sector
Bad

Backup boot record
Bad

Sectors are not identical.
Not an exFAT boot sector.

P exFAT 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged.

Analyse Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 38913/80/63
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
Current partition structure:
P Unknown 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=32256, part_size=320072901120, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB

Results
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB

interface_write()
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385

Write isn't available because the partition table type "None" has been selected.

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=32256, part_size=320072901120, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
NTFS at 0/32/33
filesystem size 625137664
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=1048576, part_size=320070483968, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/32/33
filesystem size 625137664
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 32 33 38913 37 36 625137664 [PavilionWin7 Local Disk]
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB

HFS magic value at 16/140/33
part_size 8388610
HFS 16 140 33 538 183 3 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB

HFS magic value at 16/140/35

LVM magic value at 164/196/25

LVM magic value at 432/231/34
Search for partition aborted

Results
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
P NTFS 0 32 33 38913 37 36 625137664 [PavilionWin7 Local Disk]
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
P HFS 16 140 33 538 183 3 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB

interface_write()
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
P NTFS 0 32 33 38913 37 36 625137664 [PavilionWin7 Local Disk]
P HFS 16 140 33 538 183 3 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]

Write isn't available because the partition table type "None" has been selected.
New options :
Dump : No
Align partition: Yes
Expert mode : No

Interface Advanced
NTFS at 38913/80/63
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
P Unknown 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448

Analyse Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 38913/80/63
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
Current partition structure:
P Unknown 0 0 1 38913 80 63 625142448
ntfs_mst_post_read_fixup_warn: magic: 0x00000000 size: 1024 usa_ofs: 0 usa_count: 65535: Invalid argument
Record 0 has no FILE magic (0x0)
Failed to load $MFT: Input/output error
ntfs_mst_post_read_fixup_warn: magic: 0x00000000 size: 1024 usa_ofs: 0 usa_count: 65535: Invalid argument
Record 0 has no FILE magic (0x0)
Failed to load $MFT: Input/output error

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=32256, part_size=320072901120, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB

Results
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
ntfs_device_testdisk_io_ioctl() unimplemented
ntfs_device_testdisk_io_ioctl() unimplemented

P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged.

interface_write()
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385

Write isn't available because the partition table type "None" has been selected.

search_part()
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=32256, part_size=320072901120, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/1/1
filesystem size 625142385
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
NTFS at 0/32/33
filesystem size 625137664
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=1048576, part_size=320070483968, sector_size=512
NTFS partition cannot be added (part_offset<part_size).
NTFS at 0/32/33
filesystem size 625137664
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 2
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS 0 32 33 38913 37 36 625137664 [PavilionWin7 Local Disk]
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB

HFS magic value at 16/140/33
part_size 8388610
HFS 16 140 33 538 183 3 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB

HFS magic value at 16/140/35

LVM magic value at 164/196/25

LVM magic value at 432/231/34

HFS magic value at 546/242/61
part_size 8388610
HFS 546 242 61 1069 30 31 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB

HFS magic value at 546/242/63
part_size 8388610
HFS 24 200 31 546 243 1 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS found using backup sector!, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB

LVM magic value at 597/179/1

LVM magic value at 604/85/10

VMFS 764 19 51 3104334159 84 55 601860312876694
VMFS 4155246279, 308152 TB / 280263 TiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=12274907, size=601860312876694, end=601860325151601, disk end=625142448)
exFAT 824 128 6 824 128 5 0
exFAT, 0 B
Partition not added.
FAT12 at 824/130/62
FAT1 : 1-8
FAT2 : 9-16
start_rootdir : 17
Data : 49-20736
sectors : 20739
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 2586 (2 - 2587)
fat_length 8 calculated 8
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-8/8
heads/cylinder 4 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 17 (FAT) != 63 (HD)

FAT12 at 824/130/62
FAT12 824 130 62 825 205 10 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
check_FAT: Unusual, only one FAT
FAT32 at 824/130/63
check_FAT: Bad number of entries in root dir
FAT12 at 824/131/15
FAT1 : 1-8
FAT2 : 9-16
start_rootdir : 17
Data : 49-20736
sectors : 20739
cluster_size : 8
no_of_cluster : 2586 (2 - 2587)
fat_length 8 calculated 8
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-8/8
heads/cylinder 4 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 17 (FAT) != 63 (HD)

FAT12 at 824/131/15
FAT12 824 131 15 825 205 26 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
check_FAT: Unusual, only one FAT
FAT32 at 824/131/16
check_FAT: Bad number of entries in root dir

LVM magic value at 986/104/7
NTFS at 992/60/5
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 991 217 6 992 60 5 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 992/60/5
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 992 60 5 992 158 4 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1122/234/49
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1122 136 50 1122 234 49 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1122/234/49
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1122 234 49 1123 77 48 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1123/78/4
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1122 235 5 1123 78 4 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1123/78/4
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1123 78 4 1123 176 3 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1123/176/22
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1123 78 23 1123 176 22 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
NTFS at 1123/176/22
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS 1123 176 22 1124 19 21 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
FAT12 at 1124/19/24
FAT1 : 1-9
FAT2 : 10-18
start_rootdir : 19
Data : 33-2879
sectors : 2880
cluster_size : 1
no_of_cluster : 2847 (2 - 2848)
fat_length 9 calculated 9
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)

FAT12 at 1124/19/24
FAT12 1124 19 24 1124 65 5 2880 [EFISECTOR]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
check_FAT: Unusual media descriptor (0xf0!=0xf8)
FAT12 at 1124/65/6
FAT1 : 1-9
FAT2 : 10-18
start_rootdir : 19
Data : 33-2879
sectors : 2880
cluster_size : 1
no_of_cluster : 2847 (2 - 2848)
fat_length 9 calculated 9
heads/cylinder 2 (FAT) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 18 (FAT) != 63 (HD)

FAT12 at 1124/65/6
FAT12 1124 65 6 1124 110 50 2880 [EFISECTOR]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB

LVM magic value at 1315/18/2

LVM magic value at 1479/220/48

LVM magic value at 1486/126/57
NTFS at 1122/234/49
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
NTFS at 1123/78/4
heads/cylinder 16 (NTFS) != 255 (HD)
sect/track 2 (NTFS) != 63 (HD)
filesystem size 6174
sectors_per_cluster 1
mft_lcn 2058
mftmirr_lcn 5162
clusters_per_mft_record 2
clusters_per_index_record 8
Search for partition aborted
Disk /dev/sdg - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (320 GB / 298 GiB) seems too small! (< 308152 TB / 280263 TiB)
The following partition can't be recovered:
VMFS 764 19 51 3104334159 84 55 601860312876694
VMFS 4155246279, 308152 TB / 280263 TiB

Results
P NTFS 0 1 1 38913 80 63 625142385
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
P NTFS 0 32 33 38913 37 36 625137664 [PavilionWin7 Local Disk]
NTFS, blocksize=4096, 320 GB / 298 GiB
P HFS 16 140 33 538 183 3 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB
P HFS 24 200 31 546 243 1 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS found using backup sector!, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB
P HFS 546 242 61 1069 30 31 8388610 [ÿÿÿºD
]
HFS blocksize=16777216, 4294 MB / 4096 MiB
P FAT12 824 130 62 825 205 10 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
P FAT12 824 131 15 825 205 26 20739 [NO NAME]
FAT12, blocksize=4096, 10 MB / 10 MiB
P NTFS 991 217 6 992 60 5 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 992 60 5 992 158 4 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1122 136 50 1122 234 49 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1122 234 49 1123 77 48 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1122 235 5 1123 78 4 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1123 78 4 1123 176 3 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1123 78 23 1123 176 22 6174
NTFS found using backup sector, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P NTFS 1123 176 22 1124 19 21 6174 [Boot]
NTFS, blocksize=512, 3161 KB / 3087 KiB
P FAT12 1124 19 24 1124 65 5 2880 [EFISECTOR]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
P FAT12 1124 65 6 1124 110 50 2880 [EFISECTOR]
FAT12, blocksize=512, 1474 KB / 1440 KiB
SIGHUP detected! TestDisk has been killed.

Attached Thumbnails

     

The remaining TestDisk screenshots:

Attached Thumbnails

     

Too much noise.
Looking at the gparted screenshot, you never did install Zorin - is this true ?. Did you abort the install part-way through ?.

How are you getting the info above - are you using the Zorin DVD as a liveDVD ?. If so, go here and do as it says - you'll need to unpack the downloaded file; just double-click it from the filemanager should do. Then post the RESULTS.txt file here.

1 members found this post helpful.

If you can...

Try to make a clone copy of the HDD using Clonezilla or some other utility program. It is safer to make an effort to restore your partition tables on a copy, a copy that you can make again in case your efforts corrupt the table data.

Make a copy and try again from the beginning. You seem to have guessed your way through TestDisk, and it sometimes doesn't like to skip back and forth. Did you use the TestDisk guide?

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you, syqOO - Yes it is true, I never installed Zorin, because as soon as I had made the choice of location for the swap file, all went awry and I could not finish, if I remember correctly. I have since become a bit wiser and have successfully installed Zorin on another HDD and also Mint 16 Petra on an SSD without messing up. Thus I have a choice of different systems, including an XP one, to hook up the "sick" HDD to them via USB and examine it with different utilities and get the info above. I have not used a liveDVD, no. Should I?

?...

Did you run the latest TestDisk, version 6.14?

1 members found this post helpful.

Me again, and I do apologise if I am using incorrect forum format to reply - I am just too new at all of this.
First of all, it may have been a Mint Cinnamon distro whose installation I was attempting on that HDD, not Zorin. Secondly, here is info produced by the Boot Info Script 0.61 which I managed on a Mint 16 Petra system installed on a Samsung SSD 120Gig drive:
Boot Info Script 0.61 [1 April 2012]


============================= Boot Info Summary: ===============================

=> Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector
13507584 of the same hard drive for core.img, but core.img can not be
found at this location.
=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdf.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Linux Mint 16 Petra
Boot files: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda3: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda4: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: FAT32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda4 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda4 starts at sector 46716928.
Operating System:
Boot files: /efi/ubuntu/grubx64.efi /efi/ubuntu/MokManager.efi
/efi/ubuntu/shimx64.efi

sdf1: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7: NTFS
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows 7
Boot files: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

============================ Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders, total 234441648 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 1 234,441,647 234,441,647 ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sda1 2,048 46,701,266 46,699,219 Data partition (Linux)
/dev/sda2 46,815,232 234,440,703 187,625,472 Data partition (Linux)
/dev/sda3 46,702,592 46,716,927 14,336 Swap partition (Linux)
/dev/sda4 46,716,928 46,815,231 98,304 EFI System partition

Drive: sdf _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sdf: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdf1 * 2,048 625,139,711 625,137,664 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ext4
/dev/sda2 7e4a63b3-b698-489f-9ee2-9c7a859be888 ext4
/dev/sda3 2b9c8fff-9500-4c75-be8f-305b96bb4321 swap
/dev/sda4 384E-FB82 vfat
/dev/sdf1 A898969C98966918 ntfs PavilionWin7 Local Disk

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda1 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sda4 /boot/efi vfat (rw)
/dev/sdf1 /media/georgina/PavilionWin7 Local Disk fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,default_permissions,blksize=4096)


=========================== sda1/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-legacy-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 3

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Linux Mint 16 Petra, kernel 3.11.0-12-generic
uuid 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic

title Linux Mint 16 Petra, kernel 3.11.0-12-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic

title Linux Mint 16 Petra, memtest86+
uuid 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=========================== sda1/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
insmod all_video
else
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod ieee1275_fb
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt1'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt1 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt1 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
fi
font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
function gfxmode {
set gfxpayload="$1"
if [ "$1" = "keep" ]; then
set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
else
set vt_handoff=
fi
}
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 Cinnamon 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda1)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt1'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt1 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt1 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 Cinnamon 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda1) -- recovery mode' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt1'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt1 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt1 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ "x${timeout}" != "x-1" ]; then
if keystatus; then
if keystatus --shift; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=0
fi
else
if sleep --interruptible 3 ; then
set timeout=0
fi
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
menuentry 'System setup' $menuentry_id_option 'uefi-firmware' {
fwsetup
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda1/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
# / was on /dev/sda1 during installation
UUID=7f1aac67-dada-45b4-9843-46cd9bf3fa92 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /boot/efi was on /dev/sda4 during installation
UUID=384E-FB82 /boot/efi vfat defaults 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda3 during installation
UUID=2b9c8fff-9500-4c75-be8f-305b96bb4321 none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)


========= Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive: =========

sdb sdc sdd sde

=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

cat: /tmp/BootInfo-qqT0rv8u/Tmp_Log: No such file or directory
ls: reading directory /media/georgina/PavilionWin7 Local Disk/: Input/output error
No volume groups found

Yes, thorkelljarl, I had run version 6.14, and I thank you for your trouble and also apologise for not replying sooner. Your very wise recommendation to clone the HDD simply seemed too laborious to me (and challenging as well, since I have never done that before
) and so I chose to first follow the seemingly easier method suggested by syg00 above.
I just had to start somewhere, so please bear with me.

Nope - I am merely seeking more evidence.
When you get to the point of attempting recovery, it will need to be on that cloned copy suggested.

There is no easy way - not if you value your data.

The bootinfoscript can be run on any Linux system - I mentioned the liveDVD as I thought that might be all you had access to.

1 members found this post helpful.

Have you had a chance to look at the Boot Info Script output above? Does it reveal anything positive?

Sorry, got sidetracked building a new machine myself.

Is that windows drive /dev/sdf the one that is giving you problems ?. If not, plug it in (USB is ok) and rerun the bootinfoscript - this time it may produce RESULTS1.txt.

1 members found this post helpful.

I think yes, it is: Disk /dev/sdf: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdf1 * 2,048 625,139,711 625,137,664 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS

It has Win 7 on it, HDD I thinkcapacity 320Gig - thanks for steeling time away from your own project....

Very strange - that disk looks o.k; it got mounted by the bootinfoscript, and the script could read it and find the winload.exe.
It's back to occupying the entire disk, so that means testdisk did its job - you must have told it to make the change. What happens if you try you mount it, and do a "ls" on it ?.
Better yet, get into the BIOS and change the boot device, and see if it will boot into windows.

1 members found this post helpful.

A note. Sometimes Ranish could fix it. It may still be on ultimate boot cd.

1 members found this post helpful.

A guess at what's the next problem...

If the partition table has been restored and the HDD will mount but the Windows installation won’t boot, you've probably overwritten, or changed the partition specifications as seen by, the Windows 7 bootloader.

In that case, you might proceed by steps. You can use a linux live-CD to check that your Windows files are there and readable, try something like the Plop bootloader to see if Windows will boot, and use a Windows 7 backup disk or installation DVD to restore the bootloader. I assume Windows is your first concern, it gives the most trouble if unsettled.

http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager/download.html

http://techverse.net/download-window...icial-servers/

1 members found this post helpful.