System Rescue CD

SystemRescueCD is a Linux distribution which runs from a bootable CD-ROM disc (a LiveCD) or a USB-stick, useful for repairing unbootable computer systems and retrieving data after a system crash. This CD was designed by a team led by Francois Dupoux, and is based on the Gentoo Linux distribution.

Structure

The CD is capable of graphics using the Linux framebuffer option for tools such as GParted. It is based on the stable 2.6.24.05 version of the Linux kernel with the Reiser4 support. Although it is self-contained on a CD-ROM, it has many options such as connecting to the Internet through an ADSL modem or Ethernet and graphical web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox.

Zero-knowledge analysis

The second technique for file system repair is to assume very little about the state of the file system to be analyzed, and using any hints that any undamaged file system structures might provide, rebuild the file system from scratch. This strategy involves scanning the entire drive and making note of all file system structures and possible file boundaries, then trying to match what was located to the specifications of a working file system. Some third-party programs use this technique, which is notably slower than consistency checking. It can, however, recover data even when the logical structures are almost completely destroyed. This technique generally does not repair the underlying file system, but merely allows for data to be extracted from it to another storage device.