Hey everyone! I've recently switched to Linux and have been facing a challenge with an HDD that's refusing to mount. While it's fine to manually mount my SSDs when needed, this HDD is proving to be a stubborn issue. I've tried using commands like `ntfsfix /dev/sdb3` and `mount -t ntfs3 /dev/sdb3 /mnt/h1`, but I'm not having any luck. Here's what I found when I ran `parted /dev/sdb print`: it shows the disk size and partitions, but there's no file system listed. When I attempted to use `ntfsfix`, I got an error stating that the NTFS signature is missing, and I've included the output below for reference. I need help figuring out how to resolve this without having to use Windows or reformat the drive entirely. Am I out of options? Thanks!
3 Answers
Actually, LDM is not a corrupt NTFS partition but an older method by Microsoft to manage virtual partitions. It appears your drive is using this format. You can give `ldmtool` a shot, but be aware that not all distros have kernel support for it enabled. It's worth experimenting with if you understand the risks involved!
Based on what others are saying, it might be worth using a Windows machine or the mentioned tools to access your disk. If you can copy your files over to another drive, it might be a good idea to then reformat the HDD with a Linux-friendly filesystem and move everything back!
But isn't NTFS considered compatible with Linux? I want to keep my options open in case I need to go back to Windows.
Just a heads-up, using `ntfsfix` only addresses a few minor issues, so it's not the most reliable. If you can, try finding a Windows machine to run `chkdsk` on the drive—it’s usually much better at fixing such errors. Also, always double-check that you're referencing the correct device name like `/dev/sdb3`, since it can change after reboots.
I really appreciate your help! I've noticed the device names remain consistent, at least for now.
Thanks for explaining that! I’ll definitely give `ldmtool` a try and update you all on how it goes.