Recovering data from a crashed Ubuntu system's copy (.iso)

skynet10 · 29 Feb 2020

Hello,
I have a copy of a crashed Ubuntu system's hard drive, which is in iso format. This copy was made with some Linux recovery software (can't remember how's it called). Now I have Windows 10 installed on my laptop and it would be great to recover the lost work I did in Linux.
I tried using various file recovery programs (like PC Inspector, Stellar Recovery, Remo Recovery) but they all require a mounted disk to recover from. The problem is, .iso file can't be mounted, as it is 'corrupted' or windows doesn't understand it's format. It also might be encrypted, I know the password.
Any solutions how to recover the data?

Thanks in advance, Kristupas

Bree · 29 Feb 2020

skynet10 said:

The problem is, .iso file can't be mounted, as it is 'corrupted' or windows doesn't understand it's format.

Welcome to Ten Forums.

7-Zip File Manager can open .ISO files, worth a try....

7-Zip

skynet10 · 29 Feb 2020

Bree said:

Welcome to Ten Forums.

7-Zip File Manager can open .ISO files, worth a try....

7-Zip

'Can't open file as archive'

It's a far more complicated problem.

My hopes are mounting the iso somehow and the extracting the files with some recovery software.

jumanji · 29 Feb 2020

Hi @skynet10

Download and install Elaborate Bytes Virtual Clone Drive Virtual CloneDrive - Elaborate Bytes (Administrator rights are required to install) Try to mount the ISO on it. It acts as a physical CDROM drive.

( I had it on my Windows 7 machine - now dead and gone - and I used to mount and unmount ISOs on it. On Windows 10 may be you should disable secure boot. Windows 10 experts here may be able to help you in case you have any problem.. ( I am a newbie on Windows 10

))

Caution: It will be prudent that you have a backup of your Windows 10 system.

jumanji · 29 Feb 2020

OK, I installed Virtual Clone Drive on this Windows 10 PC and mounted AOMEIPe ISO.

The Clone drive appears as a BDROM drive. Right click on the Virtual Clone drive icon in the system tray and you can mount/unmount your ISO.

The screenshot below shows it all.

Recovering data from a crashed Ubuntu system's copy (.iso)-29-02-2020-22-19-54.jpg

So go ahead. No worries.

( I thought it will boot. No, it will not boot. You can only explore. On my other Windows 7 MiniPC coupled to my Smart TV I had using EasyBCD made it boot into Windows 7 or Paragon Recovery CD ISO ( to create Backups) long ago and I got it all mixed up now, blame it on my poor memory. I think I am dementing

. Let me listen to some music.)

SIW2 · 29 Feb 2020

This copy was made with some Linux recovery software (can't remember how's it called)

Sounds like either it is not an iso file - but some other format like .img or something else.

Or, if it is an iso - it has been damaged.

Diskgenius can open several image types, worth a try.

I use imdisk a lot, maybe it will work with whatever format that thing is.