DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me....

JMitchell · 10-03-2008, 20:01

CaptureOne 4 just inadvertantly made me delete every photo I've taken since November. ******* marvellous. Is there any way I can get them back? They are on an external drive. Please do not criticise me for file handling methods. I want help, not lectures.

Thanks,

Jack

***Steve*** · 10-03-2008, 20:14

Check out the download section Jack. There are a couple of utilities listed in there that should help.

Obviously do not use the drive at all until you have recovered the files.

JMitchell · 10-03-2008, 20:15

Thanks. But should I keep it on?

***Steve*** · 10-03-2008, 20:18

Yes, just dont write anything to it or copy files etc

IF you have just deleted them, you have really only removed the index that tells the pc where to find the files, what data recovery programs do is find the files without needing an index so providing you don't alter the actual contents of the disc in any way you should have a 100% chance of recovering all the files.

Don't panic, take your time and good luck.

***Steve*** · 10-03-2008, 20:41

Jack I also found this page via a quick Google search. It lists some free data recovery solutions.

HTH

AQ · 10-03-2008, 21:21

If you have to install any recovery software it obviously must go on another drive. I assume that you are reading these messages from another drive as well. If the images are on a second drive I do not see that it would hurt to disconnect that one until you are ready to try the recovery. Just an extra percaution.

I know it is too late now but you should have sepatate versions of the recovery program installed on each hard drive in your PC.

I would also think that you can get programs to run direcvtly from a USB stick. I used to have one that ran from a floppy drive when I had one of these in my PC.

Good luck.

silkstone · 10-03-2008, 21:27

I would leave the drive on if it's a Windows machine. I seem to remember that Windows writes something to the drive when you 'safely remove', but please correct me if I'm wrong.

AQ · 10-03-2008, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

I would leave the drive on if it's a Windows machine. I seem to remember that Windows writes something to the drive when you 'safely remove', but please correct me if I'm wrong.

You probably know more than I do. I was thinking about turning the PC off and disconnecting the drive. I was worried that Windows may do some house keeping if the drive was left on. I amy well be wrong as well though.

silkstone · 10-03-2008, 21:32

Jack - Do you have the data recovery mini-CD that comes with Sandisk cards? If so, I think it's supposed to work on hard drives too.

silkstone · 10-03-2008, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthraquinone

You probably know more than I do. I was thinking about turning the PC off and disconnecting the drive. I was worried that Windows may do some house keeping if the drive was left on. I amy well be wrong as well though.

Not sure, but my Seagate external drive goes to sleep after a few minutes' inactivity. If I 'unmount' in Linux it stays asleep, but if I 'safely remove' in Windows it wakes up and there is some disk activity before I get the message that it can be removed. The only time I had an external HD failure, Windows reported that it could not write some file or other (it had a weird name with $ in it) when I clicked on 'safely remove'.

JMitchell · 10-03-2008, 21:42

thanks so much steve. Using one now and it appears to be working. Silky nevertheless, the recovery pro software cannot be used for hd recovery, only memory cards. There is another software for HDs but it costs and the demo is useless. Thanks again to all who helped. Rep points will be added when I'm back on comp!

AQ · 10-03-2008, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

Jack - Do you have the data recovery mini-CD that comes with Sandisk cards? If so, I think it's supposed to work on hard drives too.

I have just looked at the ones I have as I have at least 5. When you try it you get a message that it is not designed to work with hard drives.

AQ · 10-03-2008, 21:46

One more word of advice. if you look on Google for free recovery programs you often find ones that will show you what files it thinks it will recover and then wants some money to do so. There are some true freeware recovery tools out there though. One a friend used which apparently worked well was "Glary Undelete" this works for FAT and NTSF file systems.

Once again - good luck

**Markulous** · 10-03-2008, 22:06

If, for any reason, you have any probs recovering the data using the apps you've downloaded, Jack, let me know

When you disconnect a removable drive from Windoze, it writes any data held in it's disk buffers (hence the disk activity). Even if there's no data it'll still appear to be active as it parks the heads

Some disk data systems will index a drive, making recovery of deleted files easier (works rather like Windoze Undelete) and it's tis info that goes on each drive, not copies of the program

10-03-2008, 20:01	#1 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... CaptureOne 4 just inadvertantly made me delete every photo I've taken since November. ******* marvellous. Is there any way I can get them back? They are on an external drive. Please do not criticise me for file handling methods. I want help, not lectures. Thanks, Jack Last edited by Steve : 10-03-2008 at 20:15. Reason: Sweary not starred out enough!!!

10-03-2008, 20:14	#2 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... Check out the download section Jack. There are a couple of utilities listed in there that should help. Obviously do not use the drive at all until you have recovered the files.

10-03-2008, 20:15	#3 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... Thanks. But should I keep it on?

10-03-2008, 20:18	#4 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... Yes, just dont write anything to it or copy files etc IF you have just deleted them, you have really only removed the index that tells the pc where to find the files, what data recovery programs do is find the files without needing an index so providing you don't alter the actual contents of the disc in any way you should have a 100% chance of recovering all the files. Don't panic, take your time and good luck.

10-03-2008, 20:41	#5 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... Jack I also found this page via a quick Google search. It lists some free data recovery solutions. HTH

10-03-2008, 21:21	#6 (permalink)
AQ Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 971	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... If you have to install any recovery software it obviously must go on another drive. I assume that you are reading these messages from another drive as well. If the images are on a second drive I do not see that it would hurt to disconnect that one until you are ready to try the recovery. Just an extra percaution. I know it is too late now but you should have sepatate versions of the recovery program installed on each hard drive in your PC. I would also think that you can get programs to run direcvtly from a USB stick. I used to have one that ran from a floppy drive when I had one of these in my PC. Good luck. __________________ AQ

10-03-2008, 21:27	#7 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,416	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... I would leave the drive on if it's a Windows machine. I seem to remember that Windows writes something to the drive when you 'safely remove', but please correct me if I'm wrong.

10-03-2008, 21:32	#9 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,416	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... Jack - Do you have the data recovery mini-CD that comes with Sandisk cards? If so, I think it's supposed to work on hard drives too.

10-03-2008, 21:42	#11 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,520	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... thanks so much steve. Using one now and it appears to be working. Silky nevertheless, the recovery pro software cannot be used for hd recovery, only memory cards. There is another software for HDs but it costs and the demo is useless. Thanks again to all who helped. Rep points will be added when I'm back on comp!

10-03-2008, 21:46	#13 (permalink)
AQ Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 971	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... One more word of advice. if you look on Google for free recovery programs you often find ones that will show you what files it thinks it will recover and then wants some money to do so. There are some true freeware recovery tools out there though. One a friend used which apparently worked well was "Glary Undelete" this works for FAT and NTSF file systems. Once again - good luck

10-03-2008, 22:06	#14 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: DATA RECOVERY NEEDED! Why did it happen to me.... If, for any reason, you have any probs recovering the data using the apps you've downloaded, Jack, let me know When you disconnect a removable drive from Windoze, it writes any data held in it's disk buffers (hence the disk activity). Even if there's no data it'll still appear to be active as it parks the heads Some disk data systems will index a drive, making recovery of deleted files easier (works rather like Windoze Undelete) and it's tis info that goes on each drive, not copies of the program

10-03-2008, 22:08	#15 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158