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Description of a disaster

Leroy
2022-03-08
2022-03-08
  • Leroy

    Leroy - 2022-03-08

    Hello, I regret writing so badly, in English.

    I have been using VeraCrypt every day for several years. Without difficulty, and without problem. With Windows 10 Pro.

    Here is the installation: on an internal disk that does not contain the OS.

    • A "Normal" volume of 5 GB
    • A “Hidden” volume of 125 GB – Free space: 56.9 GB

    I just made the mistake of my life! I pasted on the "Normal" volume, files for a total weight of 12 GB. I forgot that I had allocated only 5 GB to this volume. Stupidity that should be on the "Book of Records".

    Since then, when I want to open the hidden volume, I get this: "You need to format this disk".

    I looked carefully at the Posts on the Forum. None seem to relate to my stupidity.

    Here is what I did or watched:

    1. I deleted the 12 GB on the "Normal" volume. The Hidden volume also remains inaccessible.
    
    
    2. I checked disk health with CrystalDiskInfo: Everything seems O.K.
    
    
    3. Windows Defender Security Center and Malwarebytes: OK.
    
    
    4. Disk Management: Layout: Simple - Type: Basic - System: NTFS - Status: Healthy - (Basic Data Partition) - Capacity: 1863.00 GB - Free Space: 1420.28 GB (76%).
    
    
    5. Local Disk / Properties / Error checking: OK.
    
    
    6. CHKDSK /F /R /X: No errors found.
    
    
    7. When the volume is unmounted, the letter of the hidden volume does not appear on the disk manager.
    

    And now ? Is it possible to recover my important data of 56.9 GB?

    YES, I had a backup. It wasn't up to date. I deleted all this backup, one hour before the disaster. ! (Another nonsense…). I intended to copy/paste the hidden volume on my external backup drive, and for that, I had to delete the old data. I did wrong.

    If you want to help me: thank you.
    And if you want to find a solution: a million thanks.
    Cordially.

    Attachments : 4

     
  • Leroy

    Leroy - 2022-03-08

    On "My account", I don't know how to change my email address. It is here: calibanjl@free.fr
    Thank you.

     
  • RealTehreal

    RealTehreal - 2022-03-08

    You will have to mount your now damaged hidden volume. The mounted hidden volume will now be shown as non formatted, just like you described. This is to be expected, as the formatting information of the volume has been overwritten when you copied data to your outer volume.
    When the hidden volume is mounted, create a bitwise image of the volume. Afterwards, set any data rescue software on the image. You may have to mount it beforehand - this depends on the data rescue software.

    I advise you to use Linux for this, as Windows seems to be kinda restrictive from time to time when trying these steps. But you could try it on Windows first.

    There are several post on the board regarding data rescue from damaged volumes. Pick one that seems most related.

    Greets

     
    • Leroy

      Leroy - 2022-03-08

      Thanks very much !
      I'll try...
      But I'm afraid I don't know how to do it!
      I will come back here, to tell you.

       

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