Linux Error: ´group descriptors corrupted´

Ext2 and ext3 file systems space is divided into blocks, which are further organized into what we call as block groups. For each group block, there is a data structure that defines it and contains valuable information, called group block descriptor. This data structure helps accessing block groups and includes inode bitmap, inode table and blocks bitmap location information. Group descriptors take consecutive places and collectively form group descriptor table.

In case of group descriptors corruption, whole file system is taken as damaged. Corruption usually results due to unexpected system shutdown and virus attack like cases. While they are corrupt, system may not boot at all or show errors similar to:

"EXT3-fs error: ext3_check_descriptors / group descriptors corrupted"

For each block group, table of group descriptors is placed after the copy of superblock. To avoid Linux Data Recovery needs while file system corruption, group descriptors for each block group are duplicated. While nrmal run, system uses only first copy of group descriptors.

We can use fsck and attempt repairing file system corruption in such cases. But in case of extensive damage, fsck rarely can remove all errors. Thus, we need to recreate whole file system by formatting the drive. But prior doing this, we need to backup all the required data.

Backup must be complete. So after carrying out backup, we need to check for its status. Also, it is recommended to check if backup contains all required files. However if backup is found to be incomplete or unproductive, we can use Linux Recovery applications to extract lost data.

Linux Data Recovery software can be used for affected media itself that scan and recover lost data. These applications carry out Data Recovery Linux using powerful scanning algorithms. Also, they are easy to use due to interactive interface.

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is the powerful and easy to use Linux Recovery software. It can be used with ext2, ext3 and ReiserFS file system based disks. This Data Recovery Linux software has graphically rich interface. It offers efficient scanning and safe data restoration options. The application can be used for most of Linux distributions for Linux Data Recovery.