Data recovery by folder

[sapikest]

This is driving me nuts! I tested bunch of different data recovery softwares in the past (havent used one in awhile), and there was one program which recovered the files in original folder instead of listing 8124721468325483294632 files!

Does anyone know what program this is? or any program that will do folder recovery instead of just files!

thanks in advance guys

 

[lcoughey]

Need more details about the case.

1. What is the model of the drive in question?
2. What is the problem with the drive in question?
3. What have you done to stabilize the drive in question?
4. Have you confirmed the value of the data with the client?
5. Did you get a full clone of drive in question?
6. What program or tool did you use to clone the drive in question?
7. How many read errors did you get during the clone?

Let's start with that.

 

[jft135]

I have several that will do either depending on whether or not it can read the MFT. Generally, if the drive was formatted, then I lose filenames and folder structure. If it is just a damaged drive, I almost always get it back. If this doesn't help, answer the above questions and we'll try to help.

 

[Markverhyden]

Not enough details. Many data reco apps present a number of options. For instance I know R-Studio's R-Tools will allow you to select a folder and it will grab the folder and all of the files and sub folders within.

 

[todd evans]

Sounds like you are ending up with a raw recovery where the MFT has been damaged. If the data is valuable you might want to be careful that you don't damage the drive worse by running software on it when you really have a hardware or mechanical problem. Also beware using software to recover data from the original hard drive.

 

[livewire]

Sounds like you are ending up with a raw recovery where the MFT has been damaged. If the data is valuable you might want to be careful that you don't damage the drive worse by running software on it when you really have a hardware or mechanical problem. Also beware using software to recover data from the original hard drive.

I agree with what Todd says above. If the data wouldn't be worth the $900+ trip to DriveSavers, one solution I've had a good deal of success with is GetDataBack. Please Note: Do not attempt to recover directly from the drive. Make an image of the drive (using GetDataBack), shut down and remove the damaged drive, then boot back up and mount the image in GetDataBack and recover from there. Not doing so is extremely risky and can result in more dataloss. However, if the data is valuable, send it to DriveSavers.

 

[JustInspired]

Buy local. Support the small but very capable guys on Technibble that specialise in data recovery instead of DriveSavers.
I would.

 

[lcoughey]

I agree with what Todd says above. If the data wouldn't be worth the $900+ trip to DriveSavers, one solution I've had a good deal of success with is GetDataBack. Please Note: Do not attempt to recover directly from the drive. Make an image of the drive (using GetDataBack), shut down and remove the damaged drive, then boot back up and mount the image in GetDataBack and recover from there. Not doing so is extremely risky and can result in more dataloss. However, if the data is valuable, send it to DriveSavers.

...or between $280 and $770 with Recovery Force. I'm still waiting or the answers to my questions so that I can advise.

 

[Capital.Data.Recovery]

This is driving me nuts! I tested bunch of different data recovery softwares in the past (havent used one in awhile), and there was one program which recovered the files in original folder instead of listing 8124721468325483294632 files!

Does anyone know what program this is? or any program that will do folder recovery instead of just files!

thanks in advance guys

My suggestion is to do a sector-by-sector cloning before you work on your or your client's drive. If sector-by-sector cloning fails, then it's an indication that the drive has problems (firmware, surface, intermittent read\write heads). If that is the case and data is critical - take it to professional data recovery place.
If the cloning goes well, then you can experiment with the clone without touching the original (until the desired results obtained).

There is a number of data recovery applications, and you can't say this app is better than that app, as while most of them use similar basic recovery algorithms, some have much better algorithms when it comes to more complex tasks. In any case, relying on one app is not recommended.
One app may do better job with deleted files, where is another one yields better results with overwritten or damaged MFT or partition.

In your case, if the app you are using is recovering your data with sequentially numbered file names (or 3204984092384.jpg) it means the MFT was damaged. Certain data recovery labs have special tools that are capable of rebuilding partial MFT. It is all about how critical the data is. If these are JPGs, DOC, XLS files and their file names are not important, then raw recovery may suffice. If you are after the folder structure - take it to data recovery professionals. If there is a possibility, they will do it.

I'm sure data recovery guys on the forum will second that.

Best of luck to you!

 

[todd evans]

I agree with what Todd says above. If the data wouldn't be worth the $900+ trip to DriveSavers, one solution I've had a good deal of success with is GetDataBack. Please Note: Do not attempt to recover directly from the drive. Make an image of the drive (using GetDataBack), shut down and remove the damaged drive, then boot back up and mount the image in GetDataBack and recover from there. Not doing so is extremely risky and can result in more dataloss. However, if the data is valuable, send it to DriveSavers.

I usually never suggest to run software for recovery. It all depends on the value as I suggested.

I do data recovery on a national level. I didn't post my company to avoid promotional objection. We have flat rates based on the size of the drive, and we are very competitively priced way under Drivesavers, however we have all the equipment and utilities to recover FLASH, clean room, mechanical failures, firmware level, hardware level cloning, etc.

Really depends on the situation... but yes supporting those on the forum as long as they have the right tools and experience is a nice way to do it!!

 

[Capital.Data.Recovery]

I usually never suggest to run software for recovery. It all depends on the value as I suggested.

Agree on that, but most techs will do it anyway, so the least I can suggest to IT guys is not to work on the actual drive itself and to create a sector-by-sector image first.

I do data recovery on a national level. I didn't post my company to avoid promotional objection. We have flat rates based on the size of the drive, and we are very competitively priced way under Drivesavers, however we have all the equipment and utilities to recover FLASH, clean room, mechanical failures, firmware level, hardware level cloning, etc.

No problem with promoting yourself, Todd. Most of the members here run an IT related business, so I'm sure nobody gets criticized for it. It's a community where we learn and share what we know.

Really depends on the situation... but yes supporting those on the forum as long as they have the right tools and experience is a nice way to do it!!

I second that, emphasizing the words "tools + experience".

 

[sapikest]

Sorry i havent followed this thread. The data is my personal data not a customers, my 1TB died with clicking noise last year and i just came across it. It has some pics i would like to recover if i can if not no biggie but you know how it is oictures are history

 

[lcoughey]

Sorry i havent followed this thread. The data is my personal data not a customers, my 1TB died with clicking noise last year and i just came across it. It has some pics i would like to recover if i can if not no biggie but you know how it is oictures are history

If the drive is clicking, it is unlikely that software recovery programs will help. Here is my recommended plan of action, knowing that your data isn't worth the $300 to send it to a pro.

Step 1 - Fix any physical issues (PCB, Firmware, Heads) that are causing the drive to click. Obviously, you are unlikely able to even figure out the cause, let alone fix it...but, it is worth stating.

Step 2 - Get a full sector-by-sector clone of the drive. Pros would use hardware tools like Data Extractor with PC3K or DeepSpar Disk Imager. For you, I'd recommend using ddrescue.

Step 3 - In theory, if you have a clean enough clone, you should be able to mount and access your files directly. If not, I recommend using R-Studio to scan your drive for a file system and then recover your data out to another drive. With R-Studio, you can run the demo to test it out and register when you want to finish your recovery.

Good luck