Re: [LUG] Corrupt partitions

[Neil Stone <Neil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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mltruscott wrote:
> I am a relatively new convert to Linux and need some help - if this isn't
> the right place to ask the question below, a link to the right place would
> be a great help.

This is a place to ask...

> I was running Mandrake 9.0 as part of a dual boot system.  Then my sons
> installed a new game (in Windows) and since then Linux is unreachable.

Which game (so we don't all rush out and buy it)

> I get the following error message while booting:
>
> EXT3-fs:unable to read superblock
> mount: error 22 mounting ext3 flags kernel panic.  No init found.  Try
> passing in it= option to kernel.
>
> Needless to say the keyboard is dead.

Keyboards do become locked when the kernel "panics"

> I thought the answer may be to try to reinstall it but the installer  tells
> me that the partition table of hda - the partition which runs has windows -
> is too corrupt to read.  It then says:
>
> error extended partition:  bad magic number on disk hda
>
> and offers to erase the hard disk.
>
> Is my only option a scorched earth policy and reformat the drive and start
> again or is there something more subtle I can do?  Can any one explain what
> it means as no reference material I can find seems to cover it.

Unless there is data that is not backed up (you did make one right ??) 
It would probably be the easier option. It sounds to me like the 
partition table on the hard drive has been trashed, unlikley to be the 
game, but who knows...

I'll have a look through a few good books I have opn system recovery and 
linux and get back to you if you want to try a recovery. I could 
possibly recover the system myself but like quite a few people here I 
have been learning linux for quite a few years.

If you do want to go down the recovery route, pop a note back on the 
list and i'll see what i can do to help you.

By the way...

Where (location wise) are you ?

Neil
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