Hi
I am new to data recovery and still learning the ropes. Hopefully we will get to know each other well..... I have a DVR HDD to recover. The drive has imaged fine so recovery is good, however the file structure is Linux ext2fs/xiafs. I can see log files in one partition, but the larger partition (presumably containing videos) will not read. Is there a program/utility I could use to read the files. Will downloading Linux allow me to view them?
Many thanks for you help.

Hello

The simplest way is downloading PuppyLinux
http://puppylinux.org/main/Long-Term-Su ... 0Puppy.htm
and burning CD-ROM.
It is small distro (Precise Puppy 5.7.1 ISO size 156 MB) fully operating without installation.

Xiafs sounds a bit strange, as maximum file size is 64 MiB, not enough for video. Are you sure that bigger partition is not encrypted? Any way, Puppy Linux looks good for the first stage.

Notes about PuppyLinux
1. Burn CD with closed track and leave disc open - Puppy can store personal settings on the same CD.
2. In this small distro You can see info about HDD using GParted: file system, partition size, used etc.

Good luck!

Encryption issues aside, and if you are using Windows, try Linux Reader for Windows (freeware):
http://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.