Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the correct section. I have a Samsung SSD that my UEFI is no longer recognizing, preventing me from reinstalling Win7. It had 2 partitions: boot and C, both of which I removed with GParted. They housed a corrupted Win7 that is still hung up in a Win7 installation DVD Refresh repair install which will not progress after freezing on the final step. Every time I boot the DVD, it cannot find the SSD to do a regular installation ("Custom"), nor progress (freezes) beyond the "Starting Windows" logo screen using the refresh repair in-place ("Upgrade") option (it still somehow recognizes the corrupted in-place upgrade in progress saved to the SSD). I also tried unplugging the SSD, shutting down, rebooting, shutting down, replugging in the SSD, and rebooting. So, using Windows to fix this seems to be out.

Using Wary Puppy 5.5 HardInfo, it sees the drive under Storage, but provides no way to work on it. Can I fix this using Puppy so I can use the drive normally? I guess I have to initialize the disk somehow? How are fresh-from-the-factory drives set up so they will be recognized by computers without operating systems? Thanks for your help, I've been frustrated for a while now.

The SSD could actually have something physically wrong with it. They do go bad and not last forever.

The SSD probably needs to be completely resetup with a partition table and partition and format.
That for sure will get it back to a clean condition.

You can do this using the Gparted program running in a Puppy Linux version running the computer.

Wary is kind of an old version of Puppy and probably has an older version of Gparted, but it still should be able to do this.

What would probably be better to use is burn the Gparted live version to a CD or USB and boot the computer with it.
Use it to do this work on the SSD.
Plus it has some added programs for finding and fixing problems a drive may have.

Gparted live CD or USB.

For partitioning I would suggest you use the Gparted live CD or USB that you can get from here.
You can download a free version to make your own Gparted live CD or USB.
It is up to date and specifically made to run Gparted.
Info:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php
Download:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted ... ve-stable/

When you get Gparted program running
Have the SSD selected as device to work on.
At top of Gparted window is menu bar with different selections.

Device->Create Partition Table...
Select msdos for type.
Click Apply.
IF get warning message, just keep going.
now with new partition table.
The drive should be showing as all unallocated space on it.

Right click on the unallocated space.
Select new.
Make one partition
Select file system: fat32 or ntfs
Click on the green apply check mark, at top of window, to make the partition and format it.

Just to make sure it all worked OK.
right click on the partition.
Select check.
Should report all checked OK.

Now the drive should have a new partition table, one partition and it formatted.

the computer should now be able to see the drive.

Boot the computer with the Windows 7 installation CD.
It should now be able to see the SSD and install to it.
The Windows 7 install process is going to re-partition and format the drive the way Windows wants it.

If still not working.
You do what?
You see what?

The SSD was working up until I created the latest problem, so I'm not concerned about it failing. Your instructions were spot on, I kinda blew past that Device > Create Partition Table option, not realizing it applied here.
The NTFS format finished up with a Warning icon error message and showed 0/1 tasks completed.

Details states Check and repair file system (ntfs) on /dev/sda1
[*] calibrate /dev/sda1 (has a green checkmark) size: 488394752 (232.88 GB)
[*] check file system on /dev/sda1 for errors and (if possible) fix them (has a minus sign) ntfsresize -P -i -f -v/ dev/sda1 ntfsresize v2.0.0 (libntfs 10:0:0) ERROR: Device '/dev/sda1' is mounted read-write. You must 'unmount' it first. When I closed the window, a lock icon appeared on the partition.

Information showed a number of almost identical error messages stating "Cluster accounting failed at 3316719 (0x329bef) extra cluster in $Bitmap," each with different alphanumeric values.

After running Check, the sda1 icon appeared on the desktop. Pmount was "unable to mount sda1."

After rebooting GParted, sda1 showed as mounted. Information showed "Resource temporarily unavailable" for: Error opening partition device; Failed to startup volume; Failed to mount 'dev/sda1'. Also, ERROR (11) Opening 'dev/sda1' as NTFS failed. "Unable to read the contents of this file system! The following list of software packages is required for ntfs file system support: ntfsprogs."

The main GParted window shows the left half of the graphic partition representation is yellow. Used and Unused GB values are exactly as before the Refresh repair install attempt, and there is a lock icon, which I'm assuming is from the permanently stalled Refresh repair install. So, apparently trying to reformat the SSD as NTFS (which it was before) reawakened this corrupted data situation. The SSD also had 23+ GB unallocated space (in preparation for Linux Mint Cinnamon).

Perhaps this has something to do with SSD architecture and Wary Puppy's Vista-era code? In any event, I rebooted with the Windows DVD and it didn't find the SSD. Rebooted with Wary Puppy and Pmount was unable to mount the SSD. GParted main window now shows no yellow, and a Warning icon and all the messages under Information 2 paragraphs ago. Then it mounted it, lol. Check Details were the same as previously 5 paragraphs up. Upon closing that window, the yellow returned and the lock icon. And that's where I'm at. I guess I should redo the Create Partition Table option?

Wary Puppy was my first (and only) contact with Linux. It was recommended on Linux sites as the repair version, so I used it to repair W2K years ago, and still have the Live Session CD. Using my other Win7 computer (laptop), I tried to use YUMI for USB multi-boot capability to install several other distributions, but the balenaEtcher screen loads up blank. Even after uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling.

I want to install Cinnamon on an ~30GB partition to get me further into Linux, as Win7 is probably the last Windows version I'm getting. A Linux website recommended installing Windows first in a dual boot situation, so that's what I'm aiming at: trying to get Windows involved as soon as possible in all this.

I guess I should redo the Create Partition Table option?

yes, msdosfs will work. make sure the disk is unmounted (no lock icon) when performing the operations.

dual booting linux with windows is something that appeals to many when first starting out with linux, and many of the bigger distros have installers that will try to accomplish this. dual booting with puppy is also possible, but many of us here prefer to just run puppy from a usb or external drive. Puppy is designed to run in ram, so once it boots it does not take a speed penalty from being used from an external device. A effective "dual boot" can be accomplished by setting up your boot disk order such that the external disk boots when plugged in and the internal disk boots when the external is unplugged.
if you are looking for a newer puppy to try, post your hardware specs and intended usage and you will get recommendations. there lots to choose from here. balena and such are not the best tools to install puppy to a drive, but you have a wary cd,it has all the tools you need.
the only thing else you need is an iso or an img file, along with a better quality usb stick or an ssd on a usb tether. you can try multiple puppys at once due to the nature of the way puppy installs.

To create partitions on a drive a partition table must exist first. The common one employed is msdos. Once this table is created it is possible to create a partition, then size it and format it, perhaps set a boot flag.

A drive's partitions must be in an unmounted status for GParted to be able to work.

Now you know why I suggested making a Gparted live cd or USB stick and booting the computer with it.
Use Gparted program it has.
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If you are using Gparted version that is in Wary that is part of the problem.

That one is kind of old and you already got a warning that it does not have some of the needed programs to work on ntfs format.

The following list of software packages is required for ntfs file system support: ntfsprogs."

ntfsprogs needs to be installed so Gparted has it to use for working with ntfs format.

Maybe can get it and install by using the Puppy Package Manger

The drive has to be unmounted to work on it in Gparted.

So make sure it is not mounted before you use Gparted.

If Gparted is showing a lock symbol for the drive. That is indicating it is still mounted.

Do you know how to mount and unmount a drive?
I assume Wary is what you are running.

Then try again what I posted about making new partition table, partition, and format.

Merry Xmas everyone. My Windows DVD does recognize the SSD (just not for installation purposes). I hit F8 while it booted, selected Safe Mode Command Prompt and ran chkdsk /f. It knew the volume was NTFS and write protected. sfc /scannow said "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run sfc again."

There are 2 libparted input/output error messages when formatting. Check stated ntfsresize -P -i -f -v /dev/sda1 ERROR(5): Opening '/dev/sda1' as NTFS failed: Input/output error NTFS is inconsistent. Run chkdsk /f on Windows etc...

I tried booting my Lenovo laptop with Wary Puppy to use Puppy Package Manager to install the latest NTFS 3.1, but it won't load. So, I do need to create a GParted live session flash card for my invalid main PC. Could you recommend a multi-boot creator other than balenaEtcher (which was touted on the YUMI page) to use with YUMI-exFAT-1.0.0.9? I downloaded Rufus (which seems like it might have the most user-friendly GUI), Universal USB Installer, and Unetbootin. I also found Linux LiveUSB Creator and Tuxboot on this page https://gparted.org/liveusb.php.

I found SystemRescue https://www.system-rescue.org/Installin ... ory-stick/, which seems to include a full updated version of GParted and other goodies. That would be more comprehensive, so I think I'd like to use that.

Rufus is a good installer program you can run in Windows OS.

SystemRescue is also good to use to try and fix a broken drive.

But you have to get the computer booted with something, so the SSD drive is not mounted.

Than make a new partition table, partition, format the SSD.

Now try using the Windows installer to install Windows on the SSD.

Tried SystemRescue (2nd option: boot and copy to RAM), then "startx" for GUI.
GParted Information says "$MFTMirr does not match $MFT (record 0)" & gives the same Wary Puppy errors, except no "ntfsprogs" request.
Check says ntfsresize v2022.10.3 (libntfs-3g) "$MFTMirr does not match $MFT (record 0)." ERROR(5) again.

Formatted the SSD NTFS. Failed to sync device again.
Libparted Warning - Error fsyncing/closing /dev/sda1: Input/output error
After this, the SSD disappeared from the device list and did not appear in GParted again after restarting the PC. Not until I shut down and cold booted the PC. After "Ignore"ing the opening same Libparted error, it showed as unallocated.

Information shows Warning Error fsyncing/closing /dev/sda1: Input/output error. /dev/sda: unrecognised disk label.
When trying to Create Partition Table, I received Libparted errors, culminating in Libparted Error "Partition(s) 1 have been written , but we have been unable to inform the kernel of the change, probably because it/they are in use. As a result, the old partition(s) will remain in use. You should reboot now before making further changes." I had the choice of Cancel or Ignore, so I figured I should Cancel and reboot the PC as suggested. I had to Ignore my way out of several more Libparted Warnings before I could shut the window down, whereupon the SSD disappeared.

After PC reboot, GParted showed the Libparted Warning window "Error fsyncing/closing /dev/sda1: Input/output error," which I "Retry"ed then "Ignore"d. The SSD still wasn't showing, even after selecting "Refresh Devices." So, this time I shut down the PC instead of restarting, as it seems SystemRescue gets hung up during "Probing EDD" after restarting.
After PC reboot, GParted showed the Libparted Warning window again, and the SSD again wasn't recognized. And I just noticed the Save Session checkbox that's been checked-off by default in the log off window.

And that's where I'm at. Do I need to reformat and recreate SystemRescue on the flash card to get rid of any saved sessions to get my SSD back? Or do I need to do something else? My next step was going to be reformat the flash card and install the GParted standalone. Then, if that doesn't work, maybe move/cut & paste the ~IN-PLACE UPGRADE folder(s) to one of my HDDs. Or perhaps the whole SSD contents to get rid of the corrupted situation. Or perhaps use the equivalent of DBAN for SSDs.

If you have made sure drive is not mounted before trying to use Gparted.

I think the drive is just gone bad.

You can try using this terminal command to see if it will provide any info about the drive.

SystemRescue should have a terminal you can use.

What you can do, boot the SystemRescue USB, open the terminal and run the command:

sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda

(if the drive is detected as /dev/sda or use whatever it is detected as). This reports the S.M.A.R.T. info on this drive, i.e. the internal info that the drive firmware keeps.

See what it reports about the drive.

If you get error no smartctl

The Gparted Live USB is suppose to have it.

Did you ever have any of the partitions on this drive encrypted protected or really anything on it encrypted protected?

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you earlier, I've been hitting this page's Refresh button on Firefox, looking for a reply, and didn't realize this topic had gone to a 2nd page. Duh.

SystemRescue has both "xfce Terminal" and "Terminal Emulator," which look the same. I ran your sudo code line and I don't see anything wrong in the results, but I'm no expert in what to look for here. Near the end of the results it says
SMART Error Log Version: 1
No Errors Logged
SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1
No self-tests have been logged. [To run self-tests, use: smartctl -t]
SMART Selective self-test log data structure revision number 1 shows SPAN 1-5 listed as CURRENT_TEST_STATUS "Not_testing," then SPAN 255 listed as "Read_scanning was never started." I have a 5 slot card reader, which I'm guessing is SPAN 1-5.

I got the SSD to show by shutting down, unplugging it, booting and shutting down, plugging it back in, and booting, 2 or 3 times each time. Not exactly "plug and play," but whatever. After doing some more research and redoing the recommended procedures several times, it looks like formatting with NFTS is not working because of the corrupted Win7 refresh reinstall and its ties to the underlying corruption of NTFS and the boot sector. On this webpage (https://askubuntu.com/questions/727218/ ... -match-mft), others had similar problems with ntfsprogs.

A couple months ago at the very end, before I wasn't able to boot into Win7 at all, the only way I could get it to boot/recognize the SSD (if it didn't) was to RebuildBCD completely, renaming the Boot folder and recreating it. I think I'm up to renaming it Boot.old6.

I have never encrypted anything on this PC, I don't want those kinds of problems.

At this point, I guess my options are to cut/move the entire SSD contents to another drive so it isn't detected by Windows/NTFS any more (which I'm not sure would work in this instance), or to format in FAT32 first, then reformat NTFS. Would you agree? What would you recommend?

Is there any problem with reformatting my NTFS SSD to FAT32, then reformatting it back to NTFS? I ask this because I had (and still have) a HDD on which I was running NTFS W2K that I reformatted to FAT32, ignoring the Windows admonition to not do so, corrupting the MBR so elements of both NTFS and FAT32 were left there in a way for which I have yet to find a solution (except perhaps a hexadecimal editor zeroing out the MBR). Thanks for your assistance.

To get a working drive.

It has to have this:
1. A partition table
2. at least one partition and that formatted to something.

fat 32 ,ntfs, ext3, ext4, whatever format is not the problem.
Should be able to format the partition to any type format that Gparted can do.
If fat32 format or ntfs format, Windows OS should be able to see it.

Windows OS will not see a partition formatted in a Linux format (ext2 ,3 ,or 4)

First you got to get the drive with a good partition table.
If done correctly.
Then it can be partitioned and formatted.

sure whatever is connecting the drive to the computer is working OK?
Connection not loose, dirty, bent pins, corroded, etc.......