Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => TCB Q&A Forum => Topic started by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 07:16:34 PM

Title: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 07:16:34 PM
I recently had a problem with my windows 8 OS. I'm trying to use Tiny Core to access all of my files on the hard drive in order to put them on a flashdrive. Files such as my pictures, my document, and my music. I've searched for ways to explore these files, but none have worked. I'm hoping that someone on these forums has some experience with this and can help me. Some of these files are for business and would be very inconvenient to lose. If anyone thinks that they can help me it would be much appreciated. 
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 07:24:26 PM
What do you mean by "explore"?
I use mc.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 07:27:27 PM
I can no longer access my Windows 8 OS. However, I know that all of my files such as documents are still there on the hard drive. I'm now trying to use tiny core to save my important files from being lost forever.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 07:32:22 PM
You still have not defined what you mean by "explore:.
You can mount the partition and browse the directory and copy files with mc.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 07:38:53 PM
How exactly do I mount the drives though? I use the mount tool and select the drives to where they turn green, but what do I do from there. I've tried using both XFE and Fluff and have failed to access hard drive files in both applications. I'm not looking to open the files themselves just to transfer them to a flash drive.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 07:49:10 PM
I have mc downloaded now. How do I access the files saved on the hard drive from here?
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 08:12:15 PM
I know that my question may be idiotic and have an obvious answer, but I really do need help recovering my files. I figured Tiny Core would be my best bet because I need a live OS that boots on RAM.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 08:20:03 PM
Please read the corebook.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 08:45:53 PM
I can't find anything helpful there. I just want to know the steps to access my files that are saved on my hard drive. It really shouldn't be that hard for somebody with knowledge of the OS to provide this information.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 09:04:20 PM
I shouldn't really be that hard to find the mounttool.

Core is not a ready to run for beginners distro.
It is a tool kit.  You are expected to be able to run basic linux tools.

We are not here to reread and retype the book and wiki.  They should be consulted first.


A good Linux intro:  http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 09:12:10 PM
I know that core is not meant for beginners. While I am not a linux expert I am also not a beginner. I generally use Mint, Backtrack/ kali, or a Ubuntu distro. Tiny core however works in a completely different way and is meant for experts. I am forced to use it now in order to try to save my files since a live disk which boots from the hard drive will not work. One that boots from the RAM is my only option. 
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 09:13:48 PM
The mount tool doesn't seem to work at all on this.
Title: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: coreplayer2 on June 23, 2014, 09:24:26 PM
Mounting the drive is only one step

install ntfs-3G extension to read and write to the windows file system
mount the partition
Use fluff to copy files to wherever

All this is assuming your drive is not encrypted or raided


I believe this is indicated in the core book

Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 09:26:08 PM
When I try to mount it says "Device or resource busy"
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 09:47:42 PM
You don't need ntfs-3G to read the drive.  You don't need to write to it.
Show the output of "blkid /dev/sd*".
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 09:57:41 PM
/dev/sda3: PARTLABEL="Microsoft reserved partition" PARTUUID="58124789-a984-4e2c-8d5d-fadf11a455c8"
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:04:13 PM
If that is the only partition defined, you have no NTFS filesystem, and no files.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:07:47 PM
When I try to use the file recovery built into the BIOS I can see and select all of my files. The problem there is that when I try to recover them it has an error every time.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:09:38 PM
File recovery in the BIOS? What are you talking about?
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: coreplayer2 on June 23, 2014, 10:11:17 PM
Ouch,  a Microsoft Reserved Partition (MSR) is usually small and does not contain any user data.

Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:14:50 PM
Or CMOS. I'm not sure. Just the built in file recovery. And there are more partition, but they all seem to say about the same thing.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:20:11 PM
I can't help you if you hide needed troubleshooting data.
I asked a specific question and expect an accurate answer.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:20:47 PM
/dev/sda4: UUID="E85E8AB95E8A8054" TYPE="ntfs" PARTLABEL="Basic data partition" PARTUUID="d2dfb1e0-b)*e-42d*-99f-db4d48634bfc"
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:23:05 PM
mount /mnt/sda4
ls /dev/sda4
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:26:18 PM
Permission denied when I try /mnt. su requires a password.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:33:09 PM
sudo mount /mnt/sda4
ls /mnt/sda4
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:46:08 PM
Ahhhh. I think we're on the right track now. It came up with a list of what looks like the right file folders. Things like $Reclycle.Bin/ , Program Files/ , Users/. Tips on what to do from here?
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:53:02 PM
Copy the files to another dirve.
For the third time, I recommend mc.
If you can't pick it up from here, I recommend you use another user friendly live DVD.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 10:56:27 PM
The thing is I need a live DVD that runs on RAM. I will try to see what I can do from here.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 10:58:10 PM
No, you do not.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: J41697 on June 23, 2014, 11:01:02 PM
I have tried one that runs on the hard drive and it didn't work.
Title: Re: Exploring Hard Drive Files
Post by: gerald_clark on June 23, 2014, 11:07:04 PM
Core is not the "rescue CD for the clueless".
Get a full featured live CD/DVD.
There are dozens out there.
Just google for live CD.
I'm not going to help you anymore with a task I believe you have zero chance of accomplishing with core.

Here is a list of live CDs better suited for rescue and file copying.
They will have the programs you need already installed on the CD.
http://livecdlist.com
and
/http://lifehacker.com/5157811/five-best-live-cds