Portege R500: XP installation with USB external CD/DVD drive - SOLUTION

Hello all !
Just wanted to take five minutes to inform you that installing XP on a Portege R500 with USB external CD/DVD drive is possible, even if you already have erased Vista and only with a bootable CD of Win XP in hand.
First go into your BIOS and check / set first boot device is CD/DVD drive
Start your installation of win XP from the CD without the F6 thing and let it go his way
After a while, the installation stops and says "can't find the file xxxx" and you are invited to say where this file is
You "just" have to replace the drive letter "C:" that is given by default with the drive letter of your CD/DVD (and let the rest just like it is) and the installation will continue until the next "can't find..." and you will again replace the drive letter, etc..
After a complete "manually assisted automatic" installation, you are welcome in Win XP !
Next question is "Where can I find my CD/DVD drive letter ?" and the answer is "this is the next letter after your last HDD letter" (I consider you have only your Portege with nothing else plugged than your CD/DVD) so in most cases it will be "E" because C: is the first partition of your HDD and D: is the hidden / recovery partition that win creates.
But do not worry, if you type the wrong letter you will have as many tries as you wish until you find the good one and for the following "can't find..." it will remain the same.
I hope these pieces of information will help some of you who want a clean install of win XP starting from a newly formatted HDD.
With kind Regards,
Mage.

What a great information!
Thanks a lot for this posting.
I think it could be useful for others here.
Bye

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I have similar problem with hard disk MK6025GAS in Sweex casing connected via USB as Raistlfiren in this post but I am not sure if it has something to do with kernel. The problem is that when I plug the hard disk via USB it is not even shown with in /dev/ or by fdisk -l. I had similar problems with the drive before but it was always shown in /dev.
I got same output from dmesg as Raistlfiren in the post before
# dmesg | tail
sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] ASC=0x0 ASCQ=0x0
sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Sense Key : 0x0 [current]
Info fld=0x0
I was browsing net for a lot of time to find a solution but nothing helped a lot. The problem is closes to the one described on Gentoo Forum
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Bus 001 Device 005: ID 13fd:0540 Initio Corporation
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Bus 001 Device 005: ID 13fd:0540 Initio Corporation
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 0 (Defined at Interface level)
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x13fd Initio Corporation
idProduct 0x0540
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bInterfaceSubClass 6 SCSI
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bLength 7
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bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
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Sep 16 22:03:58 hramat kernel: usb 1-2: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 5
Sep 16 22:03:58 hramat kernel: usb 1-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Sep 16 22:03:58 hramat kernel: scsi4 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
Sep 16 22:03:58 hramat kernel: usb-storage: device found at 5
Sep 16 22:03:58 hramat kernel: usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: scsi 4:0:0:0: Direct-Access Initio MK6025GAS 2.23 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg4 type 0
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: usb-storage: device scan complete
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] 117210240 512-byte hardware sectors: (60.0 GB/55.8 GiB)
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Write Protect is off
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Mode Sense: 86 0b 00 02
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sdd:<6>sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Sense Key : 0x0 [current]
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: Info fld=0x0
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] ASC=0x0 ASCQ=0x0
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Sense Key : 0x0 [current]
and /var/log/errors.log
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 16 22:04:03 hramat kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: [sdd] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 16 22:07:35 hramat kernel: INFO: task async/0:3957 blocked for more than 120 seconds.
Sep 16 22:07:35 hramat kernel: "echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/hung_task_timeout_secs" disables this message.
The only thing I understand from these logs is that the disk is blocked, therefore not listed in /dev.
Assuming the newer kernel problems I could try to use some older live linux CD to see if that would work. I am also thinking of connecting this hard drive directly to my laptop, using live linux CD and maybe check the output of hdparm. Is there anything else I could check or try?
Thank you for any help or suggestions
Matej

Thank you nTia89 for response. Sorry for not providing enough information.
I believe the problem is not system dependent. I have dual boot with windows and there the disk has also problems. However, I do have Arch32 with Kernel 2.6.30, using Gnome. hal and dbus are also running.
I did not tried to connect the disk to the computer directly, I will try it today.
Yesterday I have used SystemRescueCD 0.4.1 with Kernel 2.6.22. I wanted to see if it will be recognized by the system and placed in /dev/. Yes it was. This means that the problem highlighted in Gentoo forum can be true, but it doesn't solve my problem. I have tried to connect the drive several times to Arch and it was not shown in /dev/sd*, in SystemRescueCD it was placed as /dev/sdb. Now I am sure that the partition table is screwed up.
So I have started to play with the drive in SystemRescueCD with TestDisk and FixDiskTable but without success.
% fdisk -l
Disk /dev/sda: 100.0 GB, 100030242816 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 12161 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 1530 12289693+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 1531 6672 41303115 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 6673 12161 44090392+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 * 6673 11908 42058138+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 11909 12161 2032191 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Disk /dev/sdb: 60.0 GB, 60011642880 bytes
64 heads, 32 sectors/track, 57231 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 2048 * 512 = 1048576 bytes
Disk /dev/sdb doesn't contain a valid partition table
Manufacturer disk geometry: Heads: 16; Cylinders: 16383; Sectors: 63; Logical Blocks (LBA): 117210240
TestDisk found only Linux partitions with 43Gb while disk had only one 60Gb partitioned with FAT32/NTFS.
Also recognized 64 heads, 57231 cylinders and 32 sectors (same as from fdisk -l), which obviously differs from manufacturer disk geometry.
testdisk.log:
Thu Sep 17 19:09:26 2009
Command line: TestDisk
TestDisk 6.8, Data Recovery Utility, August 2007
Christophe GRENIER
Linux version (ext2fs lib: 1.40.2, ntfs lib: 9:0:0, reiserfs lib: 0.3.1-rc8, ewf lib: none)
Using locale 'C'.
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 100 GB / 93 GiB - CHS 12161 255 63, sector size=512
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57231 64 32, sector size=512
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB
Partition table type: Intel
Interface Advanced
New options :
Dump : No
Cylinder boundary : Yes
Allow partial last cylinder : No
Expert mode : No
Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57231 64 32
Current partition structure:
Partition sector doesn't have the endmark 0xAA55
Ask the user for vista mode
Computes LBA from CHS for Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Allow partial last cylinder : Yes
search_vista_part: 1
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Search for partition aborted
Results
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Search for partition aborted
Results
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
simulate write!
write_mbr_i386: starting...
Store new MBR code
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition
Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Current partition structure:
Partition sector doesn't have the endmark 0xAA55
Ask the user for vista mode
Allow partial last cylinder : Yes
search_vista_part: 1
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Results
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
NTFS at 8956/63/32
heads/cylinder 255 (NTFS) != 64 (HD)
sect/track 63 (NTFS) != 32 (HD)
filesystem size 24579387
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 1024141
mftmirr_lcn 1650676
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
NTFS part_offset=9392094720, part_size=12584646144, sector_size=512
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
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recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 36338 0 1 77410 25 16 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 36367 0 1 77439 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
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recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
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recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 42898 0 1 83970 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=87855104, size=84116272, end=171971375, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 43244 1 1 84316 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
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recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 44870 2 1 85942 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=91893824, size=84116272, end=176010095, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 44930 2 1 86002 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=92016704, size=84116272, end=176132975, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 46961 0 1 88033 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=96176128, size=84116272, end=180292399, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
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recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 49633 2 1 90705 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=101648448, size=84116272, end=185764719, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 50767 1 1 91839 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=103970848, size=84116272, end=188087119, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 51150 1 1 92222 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=104755232, size=84116272, end=188871503, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 51941 1 1 93013 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=106375200, size=84116272, end=190491471, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 52759 0 1 93831 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=108050432, size=84116272, end=192166703, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 53069 1 1 94141 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=108685344, size=84116272, end=192801615, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 53768 0 1 94840 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=110116864, size=84116272, end=194233135, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 54287 0 1 95359 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=111179776, size=84116272, end=195296047, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 54493 2 1 95565 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=111601728, size=84116272, end=195717999, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 54861 1 1 95933 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=112355360, size=84116272, end=196471631, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 54890 2 1 95962 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=112414784, size=84116272, end=196531055, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 54953 2 1 96025 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=112543808, size=84116272, end=196660079, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 56330 1 1 97402 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=115363872, size=84116272, end=199480143, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 56334 0 1 97406 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=115372032, size=84116272, end=199488303, disk end=117211136)
recover_EXT2: s_block_group_nr=0/320, s_mnt_count=31/34, s_blocks_per_group=32768
recover_EXT2: boot_sector=0, s_blocksize=4096
recover_EXT2: s_blocks_count 10514534
recover_EXT2: part_size 84116272
D Linux 57203 0 1 98275 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=117151744, size=84116272, end=201268015, disk end=117211136)
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (60 GB / 55 GiB) seems too small! (< 103 GB / 95 GiB)
The following partitions can't be recovered:
D Linux 34129 1 1 75201 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 34632 2 1 75704 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 34668 0 1 75740 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 34673 1 1 75745 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 34699 2 1 75771 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 34708 2 1 75780 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 36338 0 1 77410 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 36367 0 1 77439 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 36401 2 1 77473 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 36414 2 1 77486 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 37949 1 1 79021 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 37955 1 1 79027 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 37989 1 1 79061 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 38404 0 1 79476 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 39636 2 1 80708 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 41263 1 1 82335 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 41266 1 1 82338 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 41660 0 1 82732 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 42898 0 1 83970 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 43244 1 1 84316 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 44870 2 1 85942 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 44930 2 1 86002 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 46961 0 1 88033 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 47312 0 1 88384 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 48393 2 1 89465 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 49633 2 1 90705 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 50767 1 1 91839 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 51150 1 1 92222 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 51941 1 1 93013 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 52759 0 1 93831 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 53069 1 1 94141 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 53768 0 1 94840 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 54287 0 1 95359 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 54493 2 1 95565 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 54861 1 1 95933 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 54890 2 1 95962 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 54953 2 1 96025 27 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 56330 1 1 97402 26 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 56334 0 1 97406 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
D Linux 57203 0 1 98275 25 16 84116272
EXT3 Large file Sparse superblock Recover, 43 GB / 40 GiB
Results
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
simulate write!
write_mbr_i386: starting...
Store new MBR code
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition
Interface Advanced
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB
Partition table type: Intel
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB
Partition table type: Intel
New options :
Dump : No
Cylinder boundary : Yes
Allow partial last cylinder : No
Expert mode : No
New options :
Dump : No
Cylinder boundary : Yes
Allow partial last cylinder : No
Expert mode : No
Analyse Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Current partition structure:
Partition sector doesn't have the endmark 0xAA55
Ask the user for vista mode
Allow partial last cylinder : No
search_vista_part: 0
search_part()
Disk /dev/sdb - 60 GB / 55 GiB - CHS 57232 64 32
Search for partition aborted
Results
Can't open backup.log file: No such file or directory
interface_load
interface_write()
No partition found or selected for recovery
simulate write!
write_mbr_i386: starting...
Store new MBR code
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition
TestDisk exited normally.
fixdisktable first output:
% ./fixdisktable -d /dev/sdb
Getting hard disk geometry
cylinders=57231, heads=64, sectors=32
end_offset: 2147482624
FfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSs
EXT2 partition at offset 56832, length=(41072.398 MB) 43067531264
Sectors: start= 111, end= 84116382, length= 84116272
Hd,Sec,Cyl: start(3,16,0) end(28,31,41072)
Done searching for partitions.
Nr AF Hd Sec Cyl Hd Sec Cyl Start Size ID
1 80 3 16 0 63 32 1023 111 84116273 83 (Interpretted)
1 80 3 16 0 63 224 255 111 84116273 83 (RAW)
1: 8003 1000 833f e0ff 6f00 0000 3183 0305
2: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
3: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
4: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
Do you wish to write this partition table to disk (yes/no)? no
fixdisktable second output:
% ./fixdisktable -d -r -v /dev/sdb
Getting hard disk geometry
cylinders=57231, heads=64, sectors=32
end_offset: 2147482624
FfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSsNnBbUuFfEeSs
NTFS partition at offset 17483776, length=(17592186043512.582 MB) 184467440727622 49216
Sectors: start= 34148, end=36028797017147916, length=36028797017113768
Hd,Sec,Cyl: start(43,5,16) end(16,12,2096265)
Done searching for partitions.
Nr AF Hd Sec Cyl Hd Sec Cyl Start Size ID
1 80 43 5 16 63 32 1023 34148 -1850199 07 (Interpretted)
1 80 43 5 16 63 224 255 34148 -1850199 07 (RAW)
1: 802b 0510 073f e0ff 6485 0000 a9c4 e3ff
2: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
3: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
4: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
Do you wish to write this partition table to disk (yes/no)? no
This string "FfEeSsNnBbUu" was repeating there for longer time and it was most probably related to debugging or a verbose mode of fixdisktable
As I have mentioned I will try to connect the disk directly to the computer and see what will happen.
Shall I try to correct the disk geometry to the one specified by manufacturer? Is it possible?
Any suggestions?

Large file problems with an external FAT32 formatted drive (solutions???)

I have an external hard drive that was from my PC and formatted as NTFS so it was read only on my Mac. I formatted it to FAT32 so that I could read/write to it from both my Mac and PC.
Now, because it is formatted FAT32, I can only have a 4GB max file which has proved to be a pain to me. Is there not a format that satisfies both platform with unrestricted file sizes?
Thanks in advance.

Well, the answer is: not easily.
NTFS, EXT2, and Mac HFS can all be read and written by Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, with appropriate software. You should probably settle on what you are going to use most, and use that as your preferred filesystem.
For example, if you were going to use the Mac mostly to deal with the disk, format the disk using HFS+. On Windows, buy MacDrive and install it to read/write the Mac-format disk. If you are going to use Windows most of the time, then install MacFUSE and NTFS-3g on your Mac (http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/). et cetera.
There's nothing in the way of a really good cross-platform filesystem. ZFS may eventually become that (one might hope), but that's still not quite there.

Installation via External CD/DVD Drive

I have tried fruitlessly to install Windows XP and Windows 7 via CD and DVD on my computer via my external CD/DVD drive. It is a LG GE20 Read/Writer. I can however boot the Mac OS X 10.6 Install Disc from it.
rEFIt recognizes the disc as a valid windows disc (both of them), but when I choose it, I am left with a black screen and blinking white cursor. I tried my linux mint disk, and got the same result. (It's only working with the Mac OS X Install Disc)
My Macbook Pro 3.1 (aluminum, pre-unibody, Santa Rosa I believe) currently has a broken superdrive, so I've had to use this external. Unfortunately I need Windows installed natively (please do not tell me to use VMWare, VirtualBox or Parallels, I already have VMWare and VirtualBox).
I also tried to make a bootable USB from my 7 install disc, by formatting as FAT32 in VMWare, and using "convert" on the DOS prompt to make it NTFS. It is shown by NTFS-3g and is completely working. I copied the entire disc's files over as directed by a tutorial, but it does not boot. (It is MBR)
Any advice would be thoroughly appreciated.

OWC (macsales.com) is a good place to shop for Mac-centric accessories. They cater to Mac users. They have FireWire external optical drives.
If you decide to get one later, you may want to send an email to OWC's sales/tech support to ask if their external FireWire drives are bootable. Just because it is FireWire does not necessarily mean you can boot from a particular FireWire optical drive.

Access my USB external 250 Gb drive

I am alway carrying my file cabinet of a USB external 250 GB drive (Samsung S1 small drive) in business trip. With iPad, is there any way to access my drive in wired way or wireless way?

As an alternative, you could install the Dropbox software, and buy the 9.99 per month 100 gig cloud storage, selectively load your files on it, and then you can access it from anywhere. As a plus for no extra cost you can also install on your imac and phone and they would all have synchronized access to the dropbox. Dont know if thats a practical expense for you, but thats about the only option that would work at this point.

Can i use ANY external CD/DVD drive with the NEW mac mini?

We just got the newest Mac Mini and want to get an external drive for importing and burning CD's and DVD's.
Can we use ANY external CD/DVD drive or do we NEED to use the "Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive."
Thanks
Eliot

Maybe.
I've had some situations where a non-Apple DVD drive would not do a particular job. When I tried the same project with the Apple SuperDrive everything worked perfectly.
This is an area where I would not try to save money.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC684ZM/A

Installing Leopard onto a laptop with a broken internal DVD drive?

I'm trying to install Leopard onto my PowerBook G4 (yes, long past the warranty but she's an old workhorse). The internal DVD "super" drive has been broken for a couple of years, so I've got a nice, fast, solid Sony external USB 2.0 DVD/CD player/burner.
Just now I inserted the install disk into the drive. The disk mounted. Install window popped up automatically. Clicked the button to restart and install... the Mac restarts alright, but there's no installation happening (and no error message to tell me what's happening).
I've been searching the documentation and this forum and so far I'm stumped. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Is it simply impossible to install Leopard from an external USB drive? If so, is there a non-disk method anyone can suggest?

Please post the specs on your g4, lets make sure its possible first, then someone here can help get you going.
And to add to that, I am thinking that it would have to be a firewire disk drive to boot (?? Anyone?)
I also have to agree with Jeff, If you have another mac with a working dvd drive, or know someone (use beer as payment ) with a mac that would be quick and easy. If you do it as jeff suggests, then both macs need to be the same, or if they are different, you can put the disk in the borrowed mac, shut it down and restart holding the T key, putting borrowed mac into target mode, then hook you mac and borrowed mac together with a firewire cable, start your mac holding the alt/option key which will bring you to the disk selection screen, pick the Leopard disk and it should start the installation.
Make sure when you get to the point in the installer where it asks you which disk you want to install to, make sure you select your mac (as the borrowed mac's hdd will show up also)
The above method basically turns the borrowed mac into an external firewire DVD drive. K
Message was edited by: eschw95458

Is there any way to hook up the iPad 2 to an external CD/DVD drive?

I want to get my girlfriend an iPad for college, but her textbooks frequently come with CD's with supplemental learning resources. She also enjoys watching DVD's. Unfortunately, the iPad lacks a USB port, so it can't be connected to an external CD/DVD drive. Is there any workaround, such as a USB adapter that can be used with the existing iPad interface? Or is there some sort of wireless solution to be able to use an external CD/DVD drive? Knowledgeable feedback is appreciated, and please don't suggest buying a laptop, as I have already considered that. My inquiry refers strictly to my query regarding hooking up an external CD/DVD drive to the iPad 2. Thanks in advance!
Lou

louven23 wrote:
please don't suggest buying a laptop, as I have already considered that.
Ok - then since the answer to your question is NO - then you have all of ....
Knowledgeable feedback
that there is on the subject. There is no way to connect any device to the iPad except for a camera using the camera connection kit.

EMac External LACIE DVD Drive not reading.

eMac External LACIE DVD Drive not reading.
eMac 700 MHz running OS X 4.4
Came without DVD or modem internal
Has 256mb memory
Bought a used Lacie 1394 Firewire DVR External.
Was able to burn DVD’s and CD’s with Toast 6 Light.
Cannot find the “DVD Player” on the hard drive.
It will read data DVD.
eMac will not read any movies burnt or bought.
I was told I probably need more memory?
Thought running IDVD would fix the problem.
No Soap.
This machine was giving external modem problems before Tiger was installed.
Before we spend more money or just get ride of the eMac.
What is the DVD problem?
This same Lacie burner reads and writes DVD and CD fine with our iMac 450 DV 320mb memory. Running 9.2 and X.3

OS X 10.3.x / 10.4.x natively support data burning to external DVD drives but video payback requires software such as iDVD which isn't installed by default on models without an internal DVD drive (the installer sees no internal drive and thinks it's unnecessary). Try downloading VLC Player and see if that will let you play movies.

Problems Installing via an External Firewire DVD drive

Hi,
I'm trying to install Leopard from an external LaCie D2 (with LightScribe) DVD/DL drive via a Firewire cable.
I start the iMac (G5 20" SuperDrive is dead) via the "option" key, a screen with a choice between HD and Leopard Install DVD appears.
When I select the second option (install Leopard) I have the Apple Start Up screen (the grey screen with the dark grey Apple) but the spinning flower is missing. And the screen stays that way for minutes... Is it normal? Do I have to wait more? Is my iMac cursed?

Here's the problem:
1- the problem occurs when I boot, so the OS is "innocent"
2- when I load the start up menu (with the option key held down) I see both of the drives (HD and External Firewire DVD drive), so it can't be a "power" problem... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=MQs2n1vxpkw)
3- when I insert a DVD (movie for example), the drive reads it when connected via USB 2.0 and doesn't via Firewire, so the drive is unable to read (or reads slowly)? a Driver problem?
4- when I shutdown the iMac with the external drive connected via the USB port, the drive shuts down too, while it doesn't when it's connected via the FW one...

My external Iomega DVD drive does not read DVDs. Why?

My external Iomega DVD drive does not read DVDs. Why?

what does this question have to do with a mac? post in the Iomega fourms.

Which external cd/dvd drives are compatible?

my optical drive has broke in my standard macbook, think its from 2007. It is too expensive to get repaired so i was just wondering which external cd/dvd drive are reconised and work with this macbook from the UK? thanks!

This is not that easy to say as compatibility depends on the slave/master settings and therefore you would need to ask an ASP.
Maybe check some lightscribe ODDs and ask the guys from ASP.
But honestly, would you really want to waste your money on this feature? I know, those discs look pretty nice when used ligthscribe on it, but is it worth it?
I have one in my other notebook but I have only used it once.
And you will need special blank CDs/DVDs with this surface to use lightscribe feature.

My Macbook Air 11" External CD/DVD Drive Wont Start Up

When I plug in my External CD/DVD SuperDrive into my Macbook Air and Insert the sims 3 into the super drive. I hear the external CD/DVD Drive start up and then it sounds like its shutting off and then i hear it start up and then turn off again. Ive tried inserting different disks into my external CD/DVD drive but none of them show up on my desktop like they usually would. PLEASE HELP!

try a diff. disk. likely dust on the laser diode lens of the Superdrive.
if same, and ejects after a few seconds, the lens is dirty

Portege R500: XP installation with USB external CD/DVD drive - SOLUTION

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