Resources

 Good news! You will be able to retrieve and see those vacation pictures in the near future. Your digital photos are not actually gone. They are simply hidden away from you for the time being. As long as you haven’t taken a lot of photos since the vacation ones and overwritten them, they should still be on your camera.

What you need to do is scan the media to see if your photos are indeed recoverable. If they are recoverable, then you can easily retrieve them. ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro is a wonderful software application that is designed to retrieve a variety of missing data including photos.

It is important not to take any more photos with this digital camera until you have had a chance to scan your media. Additionally, if you have an xD card do not reformat the media card as this will permanently remove the digital photos. Fortunately, other photo media cards do not result in the same scenario.

One of the nicest features about this product is that you can utilize ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro to see if your photos are recoverable before purchasing the product. The decision is up to you. If the photos are recoverable and you want to retrieve them, then you simply need to purchase the full version of ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro and use it to do so.

In order to access this product, visit the web site for ParetoLogic and click on products. On the left hand side of the page, click on ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro. This opens a page explaining some of the highlights of the program. About a third of the way down the document, click on the link that says “How to Download.” This will take you to a new page that provides information telling you how to download your free scan of ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro.

The download instructions depend on the browser that you are using, so pay attention to that aspect. For Windows based browsers, a security warning box appears asking what you want to do. Click “run.” For Firefox and Netscape browsers, you need to click “save file.” I suggest saving the application to your desktop.

Once you launch the application, you have the option to run a quick scan for recoverable files. This program works quickly, so be prepared to be dazzled. I know I was. Once the list of files, documents, images, etc comes back, you can click on the small plus sign in front of the category for images.

This action will open the list of the images that ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro has discovered hidden within your system. This list also includes the number of each type of data that it found. If you use your mouse to hover over a specific listing, more details are provided so that you can determine whether you wish to purchase the full featured version of this product. Personally, I am so thrilled to have this program that I can’t wait to use it again. In addition to scanning for photos, it can retrieve videos, binary files, text documents, HTML files, music files, folders, and more.

The standard version, ParetoLogic Data Recovery, is also capable of recovering your missing digital photos as well. This program can also be accessed in the same manner as discussed above.

Data recovery tools are amazing in that they can recover files that have been deleted, erased, or even reformatted. They work because of the way data is stored on discs and other removable storage such as your SDHC card. You see, when you delete files or even reformat the storage device, the files aren’t really being deleted. They are only being marked as “free space.” This means that the computer can write new data in the same location where the old data is, overwriting the old files with new files.

Data recovery tools go in to the device, bypassing the standard file system information in search of old files. After all, the standard file system information is what has been deleted - the files haven’t been. However, data recovery tools are not always able to recover everything. Again, this is related to how the data is stored and deleted. If new files have been written to the device, in this case the SDHC card, then the new files are placed onto the storage device’s free space. Remember, that your old files have been marked as “free space.” So, there’s a good chance that if you’ve added data to the card between the time the AVI file was deleted and the Smart Undelete procedure was run, the AVI file could have been overwritten.

Since the AVI file is so large, I believe that it’s more likely that the file, or a portion of it, was overwritten, rendering it unrecoverable than Smart Undelete having a file size restriction.

One reason that I’m leaning toward the theory that the AVI file has been overwritten is that it is a huge file taking up a large portion of your SDHC card. For example, if your SDHC card has a capacity of 4GB, then the AVI file in question would take up a full 50% of it. That would mean that any new files being added to the card would have a 50/50 chance of overwriting the AVI file. Even a tiny 10KB file written to the same card space as the AVI file would render the entire AVI unrecoverable.

Another consideration is whether the media that you are recovering the deleted files to has enough capacity for the 2 gigabyte AVI file. For example, if you are recovering the SDHC data to your hard drive, make sure that your hard drive has sufficient disk space to accommodate all of the files.

If you haven’t added any new data to the card between deletion and the recovery attempt, then the file size restriction idea is something to check out. I checked the Smart Undelete Web site’s support section in search of file size restrictions and didn’t find any. You may want to contact the software developer directly to see if they do restrict file sizes. If so, other data recovery products may be a better choice.

I recommend using the free Data Recovery Scan tool from ParetoLogic to see if it can locate the AVI file on your SDHC card. If it locates it and indicates that it is recoverable, then you will need to purchase the full featured product to actually perform the recovery. If it can’t find it or finds only a portion of it and says the file is unrecoverable, then you will have satisfied your curiosity without having to pay for software.

People delete all of the files on a hard drive for a variety of reasons, one of which is to ensure their privacy when donating or recycling their old computers. This has become essential as identity thieves can easily extract data off of hard drives - even hard drives that have been reformatted. Why is it so easy? Because data recovery tools, those same tools that enable us to recover accidentally deleted files, are readily available. These tools go beyond the drive’s index, which is what actually gets deleted, to the actual files - which don’t get deleted until a new file is written to that same space on the drive.

For example, did you know that when you format a hard drive, you’re not erasing the data residing on it? Essentially, formatting simply removes the drive’s master indexes and reference tables and replaces them with new, empty ones. The data remains but is considered to be “free space” by the operating system. In other words, the operating system considers the disk empty and will eventually place new data over the existing data as needed. With data recovery tools, you can go in and recover the underlying data until it has been overwritten. If the average computer user can do this easily enough, imagine how easy it is for identity thieves?

In order to completely delete the files on the hard drive, you need to use a tool designed for the task. Often called disk “shredders” or “erasers,” software programs have been developed that “shred” the contents of your hard drive. This isn’t in the literal sense; rather, the software goes in and overwrites the data with meaningless files several times over. You may see terms such as “secure deletion” and “government grade deletion” used to describe this process. So long as the software overwrites the drive multiple times, the contents are likely unrecoverable. The more times the drive is overwritten, the more secure the deletion.

Several products are on the market specifically for wiping the drive clean such as DataEraser. In addition, secure deletion is often an added feature to other software programs. For example, ParetoLogic’s Privacy Controls is a utility that offers several privacy protection features, one of which is a secure deletion option where you can specify specific files for deletion.

Depending on your needs, you have several options. If you’ll be donating the computer to a friend or relative, a complete reformatting followed by wiping the drive clean is an excellent choice. This way, your data has been removed and the new user will have a fresh operating system that is free of clutter and unwanted programs. The downside is that this involves a bit of work on your part and the computer’s operating system will need to be updated with the latest security patches, updates, and service packs.

Another option is to selectively delete your data files using a secure deletion utility. When selectively deleting, don’t overlook all those “hidden” files such as your temporary files, index.dat files, browser history files, data in folders you may have forgotten about, and so on.

Finally, if you are recycling the computer, you may want to wipe the drive clean, physically dismantle the drive, and then destroy the inner workings of the disc itself. While taking a sledgehammer to the drive seems extreme, it’s an added measure you can take to keep your data private.

Your hard drive will likely let you know. Hard drives fail for numerous reasons and exhibit different symptoms as they do it. For example, the most common hard drive failures include mechanical failure, electrical failure, firmware corruption or damage, and logical corruption. The first three types almost always indicate a fried hard drive that will need to be replaced. However, you may be able to recover data from them by sending the drive to a professional data recovery center.

Mechanical failures are pretty easy to identify thanks to their telltale “clicking” sounds. This means that a mechanical part is broken. Fortunately, you can send your hard disk to a data recovery “clean room” company and have much of your data extracted. This option is quite pricey.

Hard drives fail due to electrical failures as well. When you turn on your computer, the hard drive will not spin at all. The computer won’t recognize the disk at all. If your operating system is on the failed hard drive, it won’t load either. This type of failed drive often yields recoverable data if sent to a recovery facility. Again, an expensive fix.

Firmware corruption and damage is another type of hard drive ailment that requires professional help. Firmware is an embedded chip within the hard drive case containing codes for controlling the disk. If the instructions within the firmware become damaged or corrupt, the drive will fail. Symptoms include a spinning disk when the PC is turned on followed by a non-recognized disk or a system hang during boot up.

Logical hard drive failures are among the easiest hard disk errors to recover from. In this case, the hard drive is physically fine. However, the information contained on it may be causing the problem. For example, fragmented disks, file corruption, and misinformation in file allocation tables are common logical drive issues. Symptoms include disk errors, slow performance, computer errors, can’t find file (or the operating system) errors.

If your hard drive is truly fried, you’ll need to replace it. If this same drive was your computer’s primary drive, you will also need to reinstall your operating system and programs as well as restore any data from a backup. If you don’t have a backup, consider sending your drive to a professional for data recovery.

For logical hard drive errors, you still have hope. First, data recovery is possible through the use of tools such as Data Recovery from ParetoLogic Software. Second, you may be able to repair the cause of logical hard drive errors using a good registry cleaner or built-in disk repair tools like disk defragmenter.

Optical storage mediums such as CDs and DVDs are prone to scratches and debris that can interfere with the disk drive’s laser from properly reading the data. Several issues can affect CDs and the data contained within. For example, dust, scratches, and lost data are three different issues. When a disk is merely dusty, you can easily clean it and get back to business. If the CD is scratched, you may need to attempt a repair. And finally, if the disk has been reformatted, you may need to use data recovery tools to get your data back.

Before taking drastic measures, try playing the CD or DVD in a different drive. For example, if your CD-ROM drive won’t read the data on your disc, try reading it from your DVD drive or a computer with a different CD drive. Sometimes, it’s a problem with the drive, not the media.

Cleaning CDs

If the CD is merely dusty, use a soft, non-static cloth to wipe it off. It’s important to wipe across the disc - not in circular motions. Avoid cleaning fluids as well as household cleansers. A clean, non-static cloth and a straight across gentle wipe should be sufficient. CD cleaning kits are available as well. These kits come with special fluids formulated for the disc’s optical surfaces. However, always spray the fluid on the cloth, not the disc.

Repairing Scratches

Scratches may or may not be repairable. In general, if you can see through the aluminum layer, the disc is damaged beyond repair. Hold the CD up to a light with the shiny side facing you. Does the light shine through in the form of tiny holes or scratches? Also, look at the scratch carefully. If you can see a reflection of the scratch within the disc, then the scratch hasn’t yet severed the aluminum surface. If so, burn a copy of the disc ASAP as it may still be playable but not for long. Now, try using a commercial CD scratch repair kit to buff out the scratch.
Recovering Data

You CD may be physically perfect but what if you accidentally reformatted it or deleted important data files? The good news is that data recovery products work on CDs and DVDs too. As long as they can be read as a drive letter, you may be able to retrieve your formatted or lost data files. ParetoLogic’s Data Recovery Pro and Data Recovery are among the best tools for the job.

Whether your CD is dirty, smudged, scratched, or formatted, you may be able to clean, repair, or restore it.

 Long story short, a data recovery program is a software utility that is specially designed to recover lost data on your computer system. When talking about computing, data loss means the unexpected loss of information, whether due to human error or equipment failure. There are numerous brands available online, both for free download and for purchase, including ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro, Undelete, and Recover My Files. These programs offer a variety of personalized features that allow the user to seek and find deleted data, without exposing sensitive and purposefully deleted files to others. Most data recovery programs require administrative powers to run, and can also code deleted programs so that other users can’t retrieve them.

Data recovery refers to saving data from failed, broken, damaged or corrupted locations, most often a hard disk in computing. If your computer suffers an unexpected power loss or a program error that results in a crash, there is the potential to lose valuable data. Data recovery is the process of working through the damage and retrieving as much of the data as possible.

If you accidentally delete a file, you can usually find it quickly by opening your trash can or Recycle Bin, but once you have emptied these locations the files are a lot more difficult to retrieve. On your computer, the recycle or trash bin is a temporary folder for deleted files. These files are still recoverable and, even after they have been removed from the trash or the recycling bin, remain on your computer until being overwritten by new data. These hidden files can be found with the right technology.

Rather than deleting unwanted files, your computer system removes the files address and identifies the space that it is in as empty. Therefore, the file is still on your system, even if you can’t see it, until you write over it by saving something else in the same space.

Data recovery programs can recover all kinds of deleted files, even those that have been recycled, trashed, encrypted, or compressed. These programs can even retrieve files from formatted hard drives. These invaluable software programs can safely search your computer system for accidentally deleted or misplaced files and folders, and many can are capable of recovering deleted emails. Data recovery programs search for a number of file types including: documents, archives, photos, music and videos.

Usually the system requirements for data recovery programs are fairly standard. Most recommend a Windows operating system 2000 or newer, administrative privileges, and Internet Explorer version 6 or greater as well as 512 MB RAM, 1024 x 768 monitor resolution and some user familiarity with the operating system in order to maneuver the program and navigate through your computer. Still, most of these programs require very little space on your system, and leave a very small footprint on your hard drive.