Open an EXT2 (Ubuntu) file format on a Windows (NTFS) Platform and Back-Up [GeekLK]

I’ve been an Ubuntu (Linux) user ever since I’ve fallen in love with FOSS (Free Open-Source Software). Well, I’m not that much into windows as I use & live with Ubuntu most of the time. But honestly speaking, I’m not geek for linux at all as I’m an average user. Also, I’d say the one & only place where you don’t find frequent issues like you have in windows… I mean no virus infections, all are open-source softwares as you don’t have to pay for most of the services, softwares are available within their software centers… etc.

Very recently my Ubuntu stopped booting since I started messing up with some software tests. Well, usually I don’t store DATAS on system partitions where the Operating system is installed. But my bad that I eventually stored some DATAS on the Ubuntu desktop itself. Another problem was that I installed Ubuntu within windows as a dual-boot system. That just cost me a hectic time as I’ve ran over this issue for about three days or so.. tried so many tricks such like booting Ubuntu with a live CD, recovery method…etc. Even some of the tools even, but nothing helped me.

Finally, I ended up in Ubuntu web support & I posted a question here at LaunchPad. Within few hours, I saw an e-mail popped-up onto my BlackBerry stating that my question is been replied with some answers. There we go, I just found the solution for that and I’m thankful for the people who had helped me by replying to my question.

What was the Solution & How did I back-up?

There were so many tools out there to browse EXT2 & EXT3 file systems on a Windows environment. But this particular tool by the name “Ext2Read” helped me to recover all my DATAs without a single lost. Here’s the steps that I’ve performed and it really did worked for me.. though of sharing it with you people..;

First, download the “Ext2Read” tool from here.

Then, extract the downloaded file and open it.

[lbfenix img=”http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/darocker077/ext2explore1_1.png”][/lbfenix]

Once the application is open, it will automatically scan for a “disk image” if not point the place & open the image as below;

[lbfenix img=”http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/darocker077/ext2explore2_2.png”][/lbfenix]

After selecting the “root.disk” image file, you’ll be able to explore all the files and folders like a raw DATA. Meaning, you’ll not be able to modify or do such changes until you copy it to somewhere else. see below;

[lbfenix img=”http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/darocker077/ext2explore4.png”][/lbfenix]

Once you’ve found the target on where your files are located, as you see above.. then simply “right click” the needed file & select Save.. see below;

[lbfenix img=”http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/darocker077/ext2explore5.png”][/lbfenix]

When you selected the “Save” option, below dialog box will appear and ask you to select a destination on where the filed & folders are to be copied. That’s it, you’ve successfully recovered your files.

[lbfenix img=”http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/darocker077/ext2explore6.png”][/lbfenix]

Note: There are other possible ways where you can recover you DATAs on such occasions. I’ve just showed a simple way where you can recover files from a broken Ubuntu (EXT2/EXT3) system when you’re in a Windows (NTFS) environment.