Help - Hard Drive Data Recovery

[Franz]

G'day All,

I have a external 160gb hard drive connected to my PC via USB. From one day to the next, I was suddenly unable to see the data (which are all my backups) through Explorer :mad::mad:.

So, I tried to find data recovery software on the internet and have tried several differnt types so far with no success. Mostly, they appear to look for partitions in simple and advanced mode. I know that the data is still there because when I use the "raw" recovery mode, these programmes start finding files but, what they can't find is the proper files names. It will be very difficult to try and sort through 5,000+ odd files without files names.

So, does anyone have any suggestions of what software I could use or alternatively, know of somewhere in Melbourne that can supply cost effective data recovery services.:confused::confused:

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

[Disco300Tdi]

G'day All,

I have a external 160gb hard drive connected to my PC via USB. From one day to the next, I was suddenly unable to see the data (which are all my backups) through Explorer :mad::mad:.

So, I tried to find data recovery software on the internet and have tried several differnt types so far with no success. Mostly, they appear to look for partitions in simple and advanced mode. I know that the data is still there because when I use the "raw" recovery mode, these programmes start finding files but, what they can't find is the proper files names. It will be very difficult to try and sort through 5,000+ odd files without files names.

So, does anyone have any suggestions of what software I could use or alternatively, know of somewhere in Melbourne that can supply cost effective data recovery services.:confused::confused:

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Ahh the memories Franz

Try Data Recovery Services they are on Glenhuntly Rd Caulfield
between Hawthorn Rd and the tram depot

[abaddonxi]

Download a linux live cd and boot your computer from it, boot your computer from it, try and access the hdd through linux, if the files can be recognised transfer them across the network to your other windows box.

Well, that's where I'd start.

Cheers
Simon

[HangOver]

hi
try http://www.handyrecovery.com/

i had a simmilar problem and found it very good, costs US$40 but saved my bacon, (and files).

a word of caution though, if possible make an image copy of the drive to a second drive using norton ghost or simmilar, that way if anything buggers up you can re-image it back again.

good luck

[incisor]

hmmmm download (http://www.9down.com/Hiren-s-BootCD-9-1-11254/) hirens boot cd

does the same thing for nufing..... has prosoft media tools on it

puts all you recoverable data (shows you what it can find so you can select what you want and what you dont want) onto zip files on a second drive.

always scan the cd before using it with an AV program.

[HangOver]

I just want to point out that I am not associated with handyrecovery in any way, I just used it once and it got me out the Sh**.

I looked at the disk you mentioned but the link lists lots of software on the CD image but none called prosoft?

I'll still download it and check it out because i'm always on the lookout for recovery tools.


it says it has the following stuff:

All in one Dos Bootable CD which has all these utilities. (Incl Keyboard (http://www.9down.com/Hiren-s-BootCD-9-1-11254/#) Patch)
ChangeLogs:
+NT Registry Optimizer 1.1j
+TweakUI 2.10
+HDD Eraser 1.0
+Wireless Key View 1.10
+DefragNT 1.9
+Shell Extensions Manager 1.11
+Data Shredder 1.0
Ghost 11.0.1
Ghost Explorer 11.0.1
Ntfs4Dos 1.8
Drive Snapshot 1.38
CPU-Z 1.40
CCleaner 1.40.520
Xp-AntiSpy 3.96.5
Virus Definition updater 1.2
McAfee Antivirus 4.4.50 (2705)
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4 (2705)
SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 (2705)
Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06 (2705)
F-Prot Antivirus 3.16f (2705)
PCI 32 Sniffer 1.1 (2705)
PCI and AGP info Tool (2705)
Unknown Devices 1.2 (2705)

[incisor]

All in one Dos Bootable CD which has all these utilities. (Incl Keyboard (http://www.9down.com/Hiren-s-BootCD-9-1-11254/#) Patch)
ChangeLogs:
+NT Registry Optimizer 1.1j
+TweakUI 2.10
+HDD Eraser 1.0
+Wireless Key View 1.10
+DefragNT 1.9
+Shell Extensions Manager 1.11
+Data Shredder 1.0
Ghost 11.0.1
Ghost Explorer 11.0.1
Ntfs4Dos 1.8
Drive Snapshot 1.38
CPU-Z 1.40
CCleaner 1.40.520
Xp-AntiSpy 3.96.5
Virus Definition updater 1.2
McAfee Antivirus 4.4.50 (2705)
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4 (2705)
SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 (2705)
Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06 (2705)
F-Prot Antivirus 3.16f (2705)
PCI 32 Sniffer 1.1 (2705)
PCI and AGP info Tool (2705)
Unknown Devices 1.2 (2705)
there the ones that were just updated in that version :P
not the full list on the disc.
when you get it, go to recovery tools then prosoft

[HangOver]

OK i'm wrong it does have prosoft.

I should never have doubted you ! ;)

[incisor]

This might seem a bit stupid but....

If you can't see the files in Windows Explorer, have you tries accessing them thru My Computer

Just that I have this same problem. Explorer won't always see the files on my second drive but thru My Computer sees them every time :confused:

these tools see files after a disk has been formated or a file system has lost the plot...or they have been deleted and removed from the trash. windows wont see them full stop at that stage...

[jik22]

This might seem a bit stupid but....

If you can't see the files in Windows Explorer, have you tries accessing them thru My Computer

Just that I have this same problem. Explorer won't always see the files on my second drive but thru My Computer sees them every time :confused:

That's weird, as Explorer is the underlying shell used by "My Computer", "My Documents" etc. so as long as you're looking in the right place, there should be no difference....

[incisor]

That's weird, as Explorer is the underlying shell used by "My Computer", "My Documents" etc. so as long as you're looking in the right place, there should be no difference....
what she describes is a pretty common occurance...

[jik22]

what she describes is a pretty common occurance...

Wow, really? Caused by?

It's been years since I've been anywhere near the sharp end of IT support, but I've never seen that on any of my systems...

[incisor]

Wow, really? Caused by?

It's been years since I've been anywhere near the sharp end of IT support, but I've never seen that on any of my systems...
not by the end user...

its just one of those windows things

98 was infamous for it, me very marginally better, 2k ocassionaly, xp back to doing it quite a bit.

you do see it more on xp home than pro but it does occur on both

[jik22]

you do see it more on xp home than pro but it does occur on both

Ah, never used Home at all. Might explain why I've never seen it.

Have seen the thumbnail view in explorer screw up hundreds of times though... :(

[jik22]

And I'm running XP Pro SP2...so I KNOW it happens on that as well :D

Wasn't doubting you, just had never seen/heard of that issue. :D

[grumpybastard]

In a work context i cant be bothered messing around myself so just send the disks off to Payam and let work fork out for the cost.

http://www.payam.com.au/

Sent about 6 disks off to them so far with 100% success rate, some that made horrible noises! I think its approx $180

[Franz]

Thanks for all your feedback & suggestions - I'll give the self recovery suggestions a try and if no success, try the external recovery supplier.

BTW, my system works OK so no need to boot via recovery programme - it's just the data on the external, backup hard drive that I can't see.

Cheers,

[HangOver]

As it's an external drive you could try opening the case and connect it directly to your mobo via IDE/SATA?
It could be a problem with the interface in the HD case or even a bit of a dodgy cable.

[Franz]

This might seem a bit stupid but....

If you can't see the files in Windows Explorer, have you tries accessing them thru My Computer

Just that I have this same problem. Explorer won't always see the files on my second drive but thru My Computer sees them every time :confused:
I can see the hard disc drive OK in Explorer, it's just all my data that I can't see.

Cheers,

[Franz]

As it's an external drive you could try opening the case and connect it directly to your mobo via IDE/SATA?
It could be a problem with the interface in the HD case or even a bit of a dodgy cable.
Already tried that one - first thought was the the external drive board wa dodgy - not the case though.

[Franz]

In a work context i cant be bothered messing around myself so just send the disks off to Payam and let work fork out for the cost.

http://www.payam.com.au/

Sent about 6 disks off to them so far with 100% success rate, some that made horrible noises! I think its approx $180
You must have a special rate - standard software recovery rate is $350 - ouch!

[trekkaman]

Hello Franz,

I have used a program called GetDataBack on numerous occasions and I has recovered virtually all data on the affected drives including correct filenames.

You can find more info here:

http://www.runtime.org/products.htm

Good luck...Michael

[Franz]

Hello Franz,

I have used a program called GetDataBack on numerous occasions and I has recovered virtually all data on the affected drives including correct filenames.

You can find more info here:

http://www.runtime.org/products.htm

Good luck...Michael
Thanks Michael - I'll give it a go.

Cheers,