Subj : Re: e2fs corrupted superblock
To   : comp.os.linux
From : Jennifer Knoell
Date : Sun Jul 11 2004 11:25 pm

pandora_xero@hotmail.com wrote:
> well.... before i do anything.... rash.... does anyone know of a way to
> read e2fs without relying on a superblock, or if such a thing is even
> possible?
> 
> If not, then, like I say, "even the best take a hit sometimes," or,
> "thats life, this sure as shit ain't Walgreen's."
> 
> essentially all i had on that drive was a bunch of downloads. In
> theory, if i was able to obtain them in the first place, i can get them
> again. so if necessary, i will (reluctantly) wipe the partition.
> 

To begin with, you need to boot the machine without trying to mount that 
damaged drive.

Afterwards you can run e2fsck from, say, a rescue disk, and try 
recovering the damaged superblock this way. I'd work my way from 
superblock to superblock, they go back in time apparently.

Gone through that myself recently, with moderate success. The filenames 
were all off, but I did get the files back.

Jen

.