undelete a deleted partition

[Hadeda]

due to the absence of the /etc/fstab file

Based on other feedback from you, it is my guess, that this is probably the very first installation which suddenly did not boot. If it is only due to fstab it might be interesting to get it back although it is possible that all data was backed up; but I don't know for sure.

it would be interesting to see how and where it is booted from

Here it is: http://paste.ubuntu.com/846553/

If it tells you anything of importance please let me know as I have to hang on for a few days before I have an undivided opportunity to run photorec.

[varunendra]

Here it is: http://paste.ubuntu.com/846553/

Sorry, I should've been more clear. It was a suggestion regarding your last question in your last post:

Is there something you want me to type after the flashing cursor

- means, you had to type in those commands when you were booted from HDD with 'root' prompt (where you wouldn't have to add 'sudo').

The current outputs are from live session, which obviously reports the live filesystem mounted as root (/). Although it's almost obvious that it booted from sda1, I just want to see those outputs as confirmation.

As for creating fstab, it would be better if we use UUIDs in it instead of addresses of 'sdxy' form. UUIDs can be obtained from the command:

sudo blkid

or just blkid if you run it from the root prompt.

Afterwards we'd also need to add a user to log onto (unless you want to login as 'root' ). And after that...... we'd have to Cross Our Fingers hoping it boots as expected .

[Hadeda]

...which obviously reports the live filesystem

I feel a bit dumb here. Well, I have learned something
Have repeated the test by booting from the HDD:

1) Results of fdisk -l

Device Boot    Start    End    Blocks        ID    System
/dev/sda1      1       503       4034228       83       linux
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2      755      7183      51639296    83       linux

2) Results of mount: see screenshot "mount" (I have redacted info which could be private).
a) There is reference to ecryptfs (without an 'n') which I don't understand. I remember playing with eNcryption after learning that the machine was not always under my custody and control...
b) A warning told me to check the 'mounts' file (with an 's') which I did and I hope that it reveals data necessary for you to help me.

3) Through blkid I have obtained the UUIDs for sda1, sda2 and sdb1 (live USB).

4) I have also recovered 2 user names, unless it is necessary to create a new one. I am happy to log in as root.

Am I on the right track to recreate fstab in order to boot into my first installation?

[varunendra]

Sorry for such a late response, I got extra busy in my office work.

Anyway, looking at the screenshot, and considering the problems in accessing the home directory, it is almost certainly an encryption issue. Just for reference, please see these:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/En...ivateDirectory
and
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/recover-yo...r-private.html

I have never used encryption in Ubuntu myself, and have absolutely no experience with related issues and their solutions. Accordingly, please see if the above links can help you getting booted with existing users to whom those encrypted homes belong. Otherwise you can always create a new user from the root prompt using "useradd" then "passwd"commands, and boot using that user's id. Following links can be helpful to learn this with examples:
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-a...-user-account/
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-l...user-to-group/
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-c...-groups-users/

Frankly, I don't think I can keep up now with that 'encryption' element involved in the issue. I just hope you get your desired data, then do a clean installation on new, fresh partitions.

[Hadeda]

My late response was due to trying out various options.
However, I simply cut my losses and started from scratch.

In hindsight, it helps to understand Ubuntu filestructures right from the start. In which case I am sure that others reading this thread will not encounter the same road blocks and find a solution in this thread.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Li...stemsExplained

Reminder for all users: Never leave your computer unattended when going to seminars and learn these basics: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BasicSecurity

Thanks varunendra and others!