Essential Linux Tool: SystemRescueCd

SystemRescueCd is a Gentoo-based Linux distribution that specializes in repairing unbootable computer systems and recovering data after a system crash. Since it is loaded with system utilities, its main aim is to provide a handy tool to anyone that needs to perform computer admin tasks.

I already have micro distros like SliTaz and DSL that I may someday use in case of emergency. However, I needed a more powerful and more complete rescue tool. SystemRescueCd is the answer. Just recently, I got the freshly released SystemRescueCd version 1.0.3 HERE , and then loaded it for a test drive.

Running SystemRescueCd
To run SystemRescueCd, you have to burn the ISO image first to a CD ROM. You can also install it to a USB stick in case your CD drive is inaccessible or is not available.

SystemRescueCd will start off by giving you several options since it contains four main boot images such as:

* rescuecd --the default choice for 32bits systems with Framebuffer disabled; best choice;
* altker32 --an alternative kernel for 32bits systems; Boot with this kernel in case you have problems with rescuecd;
* rescue64 --the default 64 bits kernel; Use it if you want to chroot to a 64bits Linux system installed on your hard disk, or if you have to run 64 bits programs;
* altker64 --an alternative kernel for 64bits systems; Boot with this kernel in case you have problems with rescue64;

Other boot option parameters are also available for performing special tasks. Here are some of them:

* docache --with that option the system will copy all the files it needs to the RAM of your computer. Once the files are cached into memory, you can eject the disc from the drive and continue using the Live CD. It allows you to insert another disc in the drive, and the system is running faster. That option requires at least 256MB of memory;
* setkmap=xx: --usually the systems ask you which kind of keyboard you have during the boot process. If you enter this option there will be no question to answer during the boot. Replace 'xx' with the keyboard you have: 'us' for USA, 'uk' for British, 'de' for German, and so on;
* ide=nodma or all-generic-ide --use these options if there is a problem related to the hard disk, for instance if the kernel boot process hangs on a driver related to the storage;
* doxdetect or forcevesa --use these options if you cannot get the graphical environment to work when you type startx in the shell prompt;
* acpi-off / noapic / irqpool --use these options if you have any problem when the kernel boots: if it hangs on a driver or if it crashes;

Working in console mode or in graphical environment

In console mode, you can mount partitions of your disks in order to troubleshoot an installed Linux or a Windows operating system. To troubleshoot Linux, you can mount any Linux filesystem (ext2fs, ext3fs, reiserfs, reiser4, jfs, xfs). SystemRescueCd is also able to mount FAT or NTFS disk used by Windows. If you want to mount your windows disk use ntfs-3g (eg: ntfs-3g /dev/sda1 /mnt/windows). The well known vim and qemacs editors are also available if you have to edit files.

To start the graphical environment, use the "startx" command. You will then be taken to SystemRescueCd's JWM desktop where you can work with Gparted (Partition Magic clone), Leafpad graphical editor, and Firefox web browser among others.

SystemRescueCd will also allow you to make backups over the network, download some files, work remotely using ssh and telnet, or access files that are shared on a Unix server(with NFS) or on a Windows machine (with Samba). You also have a read/write access to MS Windows NTFS partitions using Ntfs3g. In addition, there’s a Test-disk tool to check and undelete partition that supports reiserfs, ntfs, fat32, ext2/3 and many others.

Conclusion:

SystemRescueCd 1.0.3 is an amazingly handy tool that's essential for system administrators and IT technicians. However, it's also very easy to use that I think even a regular Linux user can handle it. I'm so glad that I found SystemRescueCd because it has all the tools that I need to keep me from being paranoid of losing all of my essential files.

Linux Data Recovery Using \'myrescue\' Utility

In Linux operating system, myrescue is an utility to retrieve still-readable information from damaged hard drive. This Linux Data Recovery tool is similar to the dd_rescue, however it attempts to quickly get out of corrupted area to handle undamaged part first. After extracting data from the undamaged area, the utility then returns to the damaged area and tries to fix it. 

The myrescue utility attempts to copy your hard drive block-wise to the file and creates a block bitmap (table) remarking whether the block is successfully copied, not handled yet or it has errors. The block bitmap or table can be employed in the successive runs for concentrating on unresolved blocks.  

This Data Recovery Linux utility effectively handles the read errors, through its special skip way. General the hard drive surface blemishes cover more than simply one data block and uninterrupted reading data from the defected areas may damage the hard drive surface, the hard drive mechanisms, and read/write heads. 

When it occurs, the possibilities of retrieving the remaining and undamaged data decreased dramatically. Therefore in the skip mode of myrescue, it attempts to escape the damaged area quickly by exponentially incrementing the step size. It marks the skipped blocks as un-handled in block bitmap table and they may be retrieved at later stage. 

Ultimately, the utility has an advanced option to multiply attempt for reading data from a data block, before believing it is damaged. 

However, you should bear in mind that the this utility is not a replacement for third-party data recovery utilities. When you have a second option, do not even try to use myrescue, as the tool may cause more damage to your hard drive. 

The myrescue utility is available only for the situation that you\'re completely desperate and cannot afford any professional Linux Recovery utility. If your data is highly significant for your business, it is worth to go for professional recovery applications. 

The Linux Data Recovery software are able to handle all types of data loss situations, ranging from simple deletion to the most severe file system corruption. The applications carry out in-depth scan of entire Linux hard drive and extract all lost, missing, and inaccessible data from it. The come equipped with simple and rich graphical user interface, to allow you to carry out Do It Yourself recovery. 

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is the most familiar and powerful program that ensures absolute recovery of all your lost data. The software recovers data from Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, FAT12, FAT16, and FAT 32 file system volumes. It is compatible with all major distributions of Linux operating systems including SUSE, Debian, Red Hat, and Fedora.