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partrevive
What it is
partrevive is a free Linux utility for finding and restoring lost or deleted partition tables. It scans disks for filesystem signatures, then uses read-only loop devices and mounts to check candidate filesystems. Candidates that contain data are classified as live; unmountable ones are treated as ghosts. Its workflow includes scanning, verification, planning, file rescue, table restoration, automatic recovery, undo, and disk imaging. A Tkinter interface guides users through scanning and verification, making a plan, and restoring a table. The project lists NTFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, ext2/3/4, btrfs, XFS, F2FS, and Linux swap as detected formats; it reports LVM2 and LUKS but does not rebuild them. GPT is restored by default, while MBR is available with a four-primary-partition limit. Imaging uses ddrescue in two passes with a mapfile, and recovery can use a disk image. Before writing, restore and auto save the existing table and check SMART health; restore prompts by default and refuses mounted targets. The single-file Python 3 program requires root and several Linux system tools. The project describes itself as early, and notes that fragmented or partly overwritten filesystems may be incomplete.
For and against
For
- Checks candidate filesystems through read-only mounts
- Includes a guided Tkinter interface
- Can recover from a disk image
- Saves the existing table before writing
- Supports GPT and MBR restoration
Against
- Requires root and several Linux system tools
- LVM2 and LUKS are reported but not rebuilt
- Fragmented or overwritten filesystems may be incomplete
- Project describes itself as early
The verdict
partrevive offers a staged workflow for identifying filesystem candidates and restoring a partition table, with backups and checks around writes. Its requirements and early status merit attention, and recovered data from damaged filesystems should be checked for completeness.
Who it suits
partrevive is aimed at Linux users trying to recover a partition table or examine a disk image. It requires root access and the listed system tools, so it suits users able to work with those requirements.
Plans and prices
MIT licensed
Single-file Python utility · requires root and Linux system tools
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Dependencies
- The single-file Python 3 program uses the standard library and requires root plus sgdisk, blkid, losetup, mount, partprobe, and blockdev on PATH.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Disk images
- A disk image file can be used as the device input, and the image command uses ddrescue in two passes with a mapfile.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Disk imaging
- The image command uses ddrescue in two passes with a mapfile, and the tool can recover against a disk image file.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Download and requirements
- The project is a single Python 3 file using the standard library and requires root plus sgdisk, blkid, losetup, mount, partprobe, and blockdev on PATH.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Filesystem support
- It detects NTFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, ext2/3/4, btrfs, XFS, F2FS, and Linux swap; LVM2 and LUKS are reported but not rebuilt.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- GUI
- An optional Tkinter GUI presents a guided scan and verify, plan, and restore workflow.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository states that partrevive is MIT licensed.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- LUKS and LVM2 volumes are flagged but not sized, mounted, or included in the proposed partition table.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maintainer profile identifies the maker as Ned Heller and lists Bay Area as the location.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maturity
- The README describes the project as early and reports testing recovery of a deleted GPT on a 240 GB SATA SSD.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Partition formats
- It restores GPT by default and can write an MBR table with --mbr, limited to four primary partitions.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project maturity
- The README describes the project as early and says it has been tested on a 240 GB SATA SSD recovery involving Windows partitions over stale Linux partitions.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- partrevive scans raw disks for filesystem signatures, verifies candidate partitions read-only, and helps rebuild a lost partition table.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Read-only verification
- Its verify command checks candidates using read-only loop devices and mounts, classifying filesystems with data as live and unmountable candidates as ghosts.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Recovery steps
- Its commands support scanning, verification, planning, rescuing files, restoring a table, undoing a saved table, and imaging a failing drive.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Recovery workflow
- The CLI provides scan, verify, plan, rescue, restore, auto, undo, and image commands.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Safety
- Restore backs up the existing partition table, prompts before writing by default, refuses to act on a mounted target, and can be undone from the saved backup.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- SMART check
- Before writing, restore and auto check SMART health and refuse a failing drive unless --force is supplied.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
