Detect content format of a disk or disk image Using disktype

The purpose of disktype is to detect the content format of a disk or disk image. It knows about common file systems, partition tables, and boot codes.

Install disktype in Debian

#apt-get install disktype

Install disktype in Ubuntu

sudo apt-get install disktype

This will complete the installation

Using Disktype

The disktype program can be run with any number of regular files or device special files as arguments. They will be analyzed in the order given, and the results printed to standard output. There are no switches in this version. Note that running disktype on device files like your hard disk will likely require root rights.

Usage Examples

These usage examples use Linux device names. See the next section for a guide to device names on different systems.

Analyzing a CD image

disktype debian-30r0-i386-binary-1_NONUS.iso

Analyzing the first IDE hard disk

#disktype /dev/hda

Analyzing a CD or DVD

#disktype /dev/cdrom

Analyzing a floppy

#disktype /dev/fd0

If you want more documentation about disktype check here

One thought on “Detect content format of a disk or disk image Using disktype

  1. Dear Sir,

    I’ve got a hard drive that screwed up a while back…something about the windows file being corrupt or damaged something like that but I don’t think it has any bad sectors…Anyways, I’m trying to format it, so I can use it again…I’ve tried making a dos boot disk with format on it…but it just won’t recognize the drive. basically if i try to format c:, it just says invalid drive specification…Is the end of the Hard Drive?

    waiting for u r reply.

    thank u

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