GPT Disk Partition

05-10-2011, 20:58

Hi,

Anybody know how to mount a GPT partiton drive on Windows 7?

Got a drive here that I'm recovering for a friend, but Windows does not recognise it.

I can run some data recovery software which will recover the data (tested already) but it's a dirty way of doing it. I want to try and keep the folders / file names intact if possible.

Kymmy · 05-10-2011, 21:11

Linux will support both the GPT and windows partitions.. Grab an ISO of puppy linux and boot from that on a dvd/cd.. then copy across the data you want

05-10-2011, 21:15

Thanks Kymmy. Never used Linux!!

I've read that Windows 7 x64 should be able to read it native.

I can see the drive in Disk Management, but no drive letter assigned and it won't allow me to assign one.

Kymmy · 05-10-2011, 21:20

Just download and burn the ISO.. then boot the PC from the burned disk (no install needed as it'll run straight from the cd/dvd).. once booted it's similar to windows where you just click the drives to open them and drag/drop the directories needed.. Only issue I find is that it's single click instead of double click to open them.

Puppy Linux can be found here
http://puppylinux.org/main/Download%...%20Release.htm

05-10-2011, 21:24

OK - will give it a go. When booted can I still access the Windows partitions? I'd like to be able to see both so I can dump the data across...

Kymmy · 05-10-2011, 21:27

When it boots in the bottom left you should have the available partitions (cd/dvd/hdx(ide hard drives)/sdx(SATA hard drives)

Just click on the icon and it'll automatically mount them and open them.. It's really very simple..

Only issue I've found with opening windows drives is that sometimes it first of all mounts them as read only.. if this happens just right click on the drive icon and unmount, then try mounting again.

Graham M · 06-10-2011, 00:02

Not tried R/W on NTFS from Linux in ages, it used to be very buggy and hit and miss for writing, reading was always OK though

06-10-2011, 06:42

So...downloaded and burnt to CD - booted on main PC but it initialized the video and then went blank ....nothing.

On the 2nd PC I got it booted, got the desktop. Plugged in the USB drive - it cam up as an icon at the bottom and clicked on it, but no files / folders shown.

Kymmy · 06-10-2011, 08:56

It could mean that it's a non-standard GPT.. which device originally wrote the partition and data?

Dai · 06-10-2011, 09:28

Paragon HFS+ is supposed to be able to read GPT. There's a 10-day trial available here:

http://www.paragon-software.com/home.../download.html

06-10-2011, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

It could mean that it's a non-standard GPT.. which device originally wrote the partition and data?

It's a USB HDD that was connected to a PC - all folder / files available. It got connected to a Mac and then it became not accesable. Put back to the Windows PC and it was seen but no drive letter assigned.

I think the Mac may have tried to initilize the disk for use and wiped the MBR / FAT in the process.

Kymmy · 06-10-2011, 09:40

If it has then you'll only be able to see the files via recovery software.

06-10-2011, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

If it has then you'll only be able to see the files via recovery software.

Yeah - that's what I thought...

Ah well...I can see the files via some recovery software but it gives the files temp names like FILE001.jpg, FILE002.jpg etc.

I suppose there's no way to recover the original filenames / folders?

Kymmy · 06-10-2011, 10:16

Nope as the names would have been removed with the original tables

06-10-2011, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Nope as the names would have been removed with the original tables

There's two copied of the FAT isn't there? Wonder if both have been trashed...quite possibly I think...