What is ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro?

ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro is a data recovery application that scans for retrievable files on computers. These files can be deleted ones or simply ones that have been misplaced or become lost due to bad sectors.

What can ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro recover?

This application is designed to retrieve partial files as well as complete ones. The software is sophisticated enough to recover files from all types of storage devices n all types of conditions. These devices include but are not limited to internal hard drives, external hard drives, iPods, cameras, and USB devices. In fact, it can even recover files from hard drives that have been freshly formatted. Additionally, it recovers files that have been compressed, encrypted, or recycled.

ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro: System Requirements

In order to use ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro, your computer needs to have certain system requirements. The user of this application must have administrative rights on the computer. Additionally, the operating system should be one of the following: Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional Service Pack 3, or Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro: Other Requirements

Software requirements for ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro are minimal. You should be using Internet Explorer 6 or 7. Your computer or laptop should have at least 512 MB RAM. The monitor should have a resolution of 1024 by 768.

1. Click on Start, then go to All Programs.
2. Click on Accessories and System Tools.
3. Click on System Restore. You will see a welcome screen.
4. Click ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time.’
5. Click Next. You will see a page that will ask you to select a restore point. This should be a date before your partner deleted your account. Choose that date and click Next.
6. Confirm that date and click Next.
7. The computer will shut down and then reboot. You will see a ‘Restoration Complete’ page. Click Ok.

You will lose any system settings that were changed after the date you restore to, but if your goal is to get your user accounts back, it is probably your best choice.

If your system wasn’t setting restore points, the options are more difficult. You say that you can see the photos, but you can’t print them. I’m assuming here that you can get to the folders where the photos are stored. If you can, you can try to take ownership of those files and see if you can work with them that way. Follow these steps to take ownership of the folder:

1. Find the folder in question and right click on it.
2. Choose Security. If a security message appears, click Ok.
3. Click on Advanced then on Owner. You will see a name list - click on the user name you’re using or on Administrator if that is how you are logged on.
4. Select ‘Replace Owner’ on subcontainers and objects box.
5. Click Ok. You will get the message: You do not have permission to read the contents of XX. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you full control?
6. Click Ok.

Hopefully that will have restored your ability to work with the files. As a last resort, you can try to use a file recovery program while logged in as Administrator. There are a number of them available, much of it as freeware so that you can at least see what is possible before you purchase a product. One to try is ParetoLogic Data Recovery, or just Google ‘data recovery system’ for other options.

I know how frustrating this must be. Try System Restore first, and if that isn’t successful, move on to these other methods. Good luck!

System Recovery

Since you haven’t said whether or not your computer has completely crashed, let’s assume that it has and that you need to reinstall the operating system. First, make absolutely sure that this step is necessary as it is a drastic one. If your computer is functional but you’ve lost your data, then skip this step and move onto the data recovery step.

In order to reinstall Windows, you will need to have your original installation discs or recovery discs that came with the system. Reinstalling Windows or using the recovery discs provided by the computer manufacturer will wipe your hard drive and then reinstall your operating system. When using recovery discs supplied by the manufacturer, your system will be exactly as it arrived straight out of the box complete with the original programs that came with your computer.

Simply insert the required disc in the CD drive, turn on the computer, and follow the prompts. Most computers are set to check for boot discs in the CD drive, so the boot disc should be detected and loaded automatically.

Recovering Data

While the reinstallation or recovery process most likely involved reformatting the hard drive, your data could very well remain on the hard disk. That’s because reformatting, while drastic, doesn’t actually erase the data. It makes changes to the various tables and indexes that contain references that Windows uses to locate the data, but it leaves the data virtually untouched.

This is good news for you, providing that the data hasn’t been overwritten by various new installations and files. This is why we will attempt the recovery before reinstalling all of your favorite programs. First, invest in a good data recovery software program. I recommend ParetoLogic Data Recovery which costs about $40-$50 depending on the version you choose. Actually, at this point, you don’t have to buy it yet because ParetoLogic offers a free scanner tool that you can use to determine whether or not your data is lurking within the drive. Go ahead and download this tool to a CD or USB stick and then run it, scanning your C drive for recoverable files. If you find the data you need, then you’ll need to upgrade to the full featured version in order to perform the recovery.

I suspect that you’ll find much of your previously lost data, if not all of it. Some files may be unrecoverable, but this technology never ceases to amaze me.

Reinstall Programs

Once the data is restored, you’ll have to go through the hassle of reinstalling all of your programs such as word processor, spreadsheet program, checkbook software, and anything else you’ve added since you first bought your computer.

Update Windows, Programs, Security Products, and Device Drivers

Your final task is one of the most important; you’ll need to update Windows, programs, anti-virus and anti-spyware products, and device drivers. Prioritize updating Windows and your security products as it’s critical to protect your computer from exploitation.

Final Steps

You’ll have several miscellaneous steps to complete including setting up your computer to connect to the Internet, your home network, and e-mail accounts. Another important task is to find a reliable backup solution. I use and online service called BeInSync and couldn’t be happier. This product backs up my data as I create or change it, sending it safely and securely online.

As a writer, the thought of losing a work-in-progress such as a book has occurred to me and it’s a sickening feeling. I am nearly done with a long manuscript and understand that if I were to lose it now, I’d never be able to recreate it. Just thinking about it frightens me and I can only imagine how you’re feeling. Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope.

When documents are accidentally deleted, they aren’t necessarily vaporized, never to be seen again. This is because Windows doesn’t actual erase files right away after deletion. Instead, Windows marks the space where the files reside on the hard drive as “available.” In a sense, that space is “for rent” and until a renter shows up and occupies it, the data remains untouched. However, once new data comes along and fills the available space, the file is gone for good. This makes it important to NOT add anything to the disk until you’ve had a chance to perform a data recovery.

Recycle Bin

You’ve probably already checked the Recycle Bin, but just in case you haven’t, let’s do so now. The Recycle Bin is a temporary holding spot for deleted files. Go to the Desktop and double-click the Recycle Bin icon. If the book document is located inside, right-click it and choose Restore. This will restore it to its original location. For example, if your book was originally stored in My Documents/Writing, it will be restored to that same folder.

Data Recovery Software

The Recycle Bin doesn’t typically store large files. If your book document was too large for the Recycle Bin, don’t worry, it still may be recoverable using data recovery software. Filetonic recommends ParetoLogic Data Recovery for tasks such as this one. What’s nice about this product is that you can download a free scanner that will search for recoverable documents. That way, you can see if the product will be able to recover your book file before you buy it. Download the scanner to a USB stick, floppy, or CD (since you don’t want to risk overwriting any data on your hard drive) and then scan your drive for recoverable documents. If Data Recovery finds the book file in question, it’ll cost you about $40 or $50 depending on which version you choose. In my opinion, this is a small price to pay to get your book back.

In the Future  

I highly recommend storing important files in a safe location, such as online. I originally used to e-mail copies of my manuscript to my web-based e-mail account where it would be readily available in case of a computer crash or house fire. This was a poor man’s backup system that gave me a little peace of mind. However, I now use an online backup program (beinsync) which automatically backs up my files and stores them securely online. The moment I create and save a new file or make a change (and save it) to an existing one, BeinSync uploads a copy to the online backup. I couldn’t be happier with this arrangement and highly recommend it to anyone with critical backup needs.

What Happens to Stored Data When Reinstalling the Operating System?

When the operating system is reinstalled, previously stored data is no longer readily accessible. Typically, this is due to the fact that this process requires the hard drive to be freshly formatted. This step wipes the data from the hard drive.

Recovering Data Using Windows Data Recovery Software

Windows Data Recovery Software can be used on Windows based computers to retrieve data that has been lost for whatever reason. However, any data that has been overwritten with new data will not be recoverable. Windows Data Recovery Software scans the computer’s hard drive, finds the data, and restores it.

Recovering Data Using Macintosh Data Recovery Software

Macintosh Data Recovery Software can be used on Macintosh based computers to retrieve data that has been lost due to a reinstallation of the operating system. However, any data that has been overwritten with new data will not be recoverable. Therefore, you should avoid using the computer until after you have had a chance to recover the files, etc that you are looking for. Macintosh Data Recovery Software scans the computer’s hard drive, finds the missing data, and restores it to a usable condition.

Data Recovery Software Applications

If you have a Windows based computer, you can use a trial run of ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro to see if the desired files are recoverable. You can obtain more information about this application as well as accessing a download of it at the following link: Data Recovery Pro.

If you have a Macintosh based computer, you can check into Kernel for Mac Data Recovery at Data Recovery Mac. Additionally, you can do a search on your own for other choices in data recovery software.

Data Recovery Software

You need to use recovery software to get your data back. There are many different programs available for you to use that range in price from about $50 to about $150. Some of the programs that are available are: Data Doctor , Windows Disk Recovery, Data Recovery Pro (a Filetonic Tech Jock favorite), and Handy Recovery.

Most data recovery programs are easy for even the novice techie to use, and were made for recovering programs and data that have been accidentally deleted by the users or by situations like the one you are in.

Back Up Files

In the future, make sure you are using quality backup to store your data so that you won’t be at risk should you encounter another catastrophic event. You can back up your data to a portable drive that plugs into your USB port, or even use one of the backup services online such as BeinSync or Carbonite. A service like this will keep your documents and photos safe offsite should your physical files become unrecoverable.

Is the Disk Unformatted?

Since the disk has files stored to it, it has already been formatted. An unformatted disk does not have the capacity to store any data.

Why is the Message that the Disk is Unformatted Appearing?

Unformatted files cannot hold any files. Therefore, the prompt is probably inaccurate and another reason exists for the inability to open the file. Two primary reasons exist behind an “unformatted disk” message that is not actually accurate. When a disk bites the dust and is no longer viable for saving files to, it will prompt the same message as an unformatted disk. Additionally, if the disk drive is bad, it cannot recognize the floppy disk and it will prompt the same message.

Is the Data Recoverable?

Fortunately, you can use a data recovery program to retrieve the files from the floppy disk. Only those files that were not overwritten will be recovered. Therefore, you should obtain a data recovery program to retrieve the files.

How Do Data Recovery Programs Work?

Data recovery programs scan the media for files and retrieve them. Depending on the size of the drive, floppy, or whatever that is being scanned, the entire process can take as little as a few moments to a much longer period of time. With a floppy disk, the entire process will most likely take only a few, short moments.

Using a Data Recovery Program

The easiest way to retrieve data from a floppy disk that cannot be read by the computer is to use data recovery software. One of the most reliable applications that I have had the opportunity to try personally is ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro. You can check out its features and capability at the following link: Data Recovery. This application offers a free scan to determine whether or not any data is recoverable. Plus, it is capable of retrieving many different types of files including documents, graphics, photos, and more.

If you have already emptied out the deleted items file, then you have a few options that you can try. All of this advice applies to emails that have been downloaded onto your computer. Emails that have been deleted on Web-based servers such as Yahoo or Hotmail have an extra layer added to them that makes them almost impossible to recover.

Disk Recovery Software

The best solution is to use disk recovery software that you can download as freeware. It will recover both files you recently deleted as well as those that were deleted a long time ago in case you discover down the road that needed files have been deleted. Disk recovery software can recover files and save them to any disk that is visible to the operating system. The program looks a lot like Windows Explorer and is easy for even a non-techie to use. You can find it on the DiskInternals website here: http://www.diskinternals.com/ . Scroll down until you find the program that works with your system.

Another good program to try is the Data Recovery Wizard. It has similar properties and can recover data from almost any device.

Data Recovery Pro is also exceptional at recovering deleted emails. A free scanner is available so that you can see if the e-mail is indeed a good candidate for recovery before purchasing the full version.

Recover from Outlook

There is another way to try to recover deleted emails in Outlook, but it is a process that is not for the faint of heart as you will intentionally corrupt the files and then use Outlook Inbox Repair Tool to recover the deleted emails from the corrupt folder. The entire process is detailed on this blog.

If you try recovery software and still can’t find your email, you can try talking to support to find out how to find it on your specific operating system. Find them here: www.filetonic.com/support.

Yes, you can recover much of your data after the hard drive has been reformatted and written over with a new operating system. That’s good news for many and bad news for others. First the good news: if you’ve had to resort to reformatting your hard drive, you may be able to recover most of your data files with data recovery software. The bad news: if you reformatted your hard drive in order to remove your data before selling or donating your old PC, someone else can recover your data files using data recovery software.

Data Recovery Basics

Most of us have been taught that reformatting a hard drive completely wipes out everything on it, including our data files. This isn’t exactly what happens. Reformatting doesn’t create a blank disc, it simply empties out the master index tables so that the operating system thinks it is empty. It’s kind of like tearing out the table of contents to a book. The table of contents is no longer there - but unless the pages of the book are also removed, then they’re still there. In the case of a hard drive, you can use data recovery software to get past the indexes and directly to the data.

Data Recovery Options

Not too long ago, data recovery was left to computer forensics experts such as crime labs and computer technicians. Today, many computer repair shops and remote technical support sites will recover data for a fee. In addition, inexpensive do-it-yourself data recovery software is also available.

Data Recovery Gotchas

While it is possible to recover data, not all data is recoverable. When a file is deleted or a disk reformatted, Windows marks the hard drive space as “free space.” If no new data comes along and occupies that space on the hard drive, then the data should be recoverable. However, if the file has been overwritten with new data, then you’re out of luck. This includes reformatting. After reformatting a hard drive, most people immediate reinstall their operating system and most used program files. In addition, they download updates and so on. As more data is written to the hard drive, it is overwriting “free space” and this “free space” may have the data that you needed.

Give it a Try

The Filetonic Tech Jocks use and recommend ParetoLogic’s Data Recovery and Data Recovery Pro tools. You can try a free download of either product and perform a data recovery scan. This free scan will show you exactly what files are recoverable on your computer. Should you find that you’d have recoverable files, you will need to purchase a license to do so which is in the $40 to $50 range depending on the product you choose. You can download the Data Recovery scan to floppy or CD so that you don’t accidentally overwrite data on your recently formatted hard drive.

Now that You Know

Now that you know how easy it is to retrieve data, when the time comes to dispose of your computer or hard drive, don’t settle for reformatting it. Instead, use a tool that completely wipes the drive clean or physically destroy the hard disk so that identity thieves cannot recovery your financial data.

Linux

Linus is an operating system where the kernel source code is freely available to everyone. Besides the fact that it is free, the adaptability and functionality have made it the main alternative to Microsoft and Unix operating systems. The use of Linux in both home and office applications is on the rise. I don’t know why you transferred from Microsoft to Linux, but you are not alone.

Disk Recovery Software

Your best bet to recover an accidentally deleted email is to use a disk recovery download. Many of these are free to use or are reasonably priced. One of the most popular programs for those using Linux is the recovery Linux Reader from DiskInternals. This software can recover data that has been erased or damaged that is stored on Ext2/Ext3 partitions. It will recover both files you recently deleted as well as those that were deleted a long time ago - that is a bonus for your problem. It will recover files and save them to any disk that is visible to the operating system. The interface looks a lot like Explorer and is easy for even the novice to use. It is freeware. You can find it on the DiskInternals website here: http://www.diskinternals.com/ . Scroll down until you find the program that works with Linux.

Another good program to try is the Data Recovery Wizard. You can find it here:

http://techblissonline.com/recover-deleted-files-or-folders-on-your-windows-vistaxp-or-linux-with-data-recovery-wizard-professional-v436/ . It has similar properties and can recover data from almost any device.

If you try recovery software and still can’t find your email, you can try talking to support to find out how to find it on your specific operating system. Find them here: www.filetonic.com/support .