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[S362]Shareware Data Recovery Software

by Althaf Ahmed, Alt

Have you ever thought of how difficult it would be if you lose your files on your home computer? Most of us fear the instance when our home computers crash and we lose very important files in our hard disk drive. The same fear is shared by those who use Palm Pilots, personal digital assistants or PDAs and similar devices. We fear that once we lose information, we would not longer be able to retrieve them.

The good news is, we can now retrieve information from crashed hard disk drives or damaged electronic devices through the process of data recovery. This would be the process in which information or data that has been corrupted or deleted or has been lost from the storage location are efficiently recovered and restored. This process is indeed a lifesaver for every computer user.

Lost data can be a result of accidentally hitting the delete key, or experiencing a power failure or some other technical glitches like damage to the hard drive.

We dread certain causes of lost data, especially those that are out of our hands. For instance, when a power failure happens and we were not able to save our documents or files, then there is a good probability that our work will not be recovered. In the same way when our internet connection gets hit by lightning during an electrical storm, it can wipe out the hard disk and cause us to lose important documents and files.

A damaged hard disk drive could potentially mean losing all your valuable data. But through the innovations in technology, we now have a lot of available ways in recovering data. Keep in mind however that the data recovery process should be done properly, lest you risk further damage to the hard disc or even overwriting files you are trying to recover.

We should always back up any information that is critical to us, whether it is a personal or business data. Although there are programs, files, as well as operating systems that enable you to recover lost data.

The kind of data recovery applied in the retrieval of lost information hinges on the operating system that is being used. While most data can be recovered at some point with recovery programs, we should first consult an expert before trying to recover any lost data.

The problem with most data recovery programs is that we run the risk of losing deleted files without the help of a professional. The process is that complicated and tedious that professional help is very much important.

I have to admit at this point that there are few data recovery programs today in the market that perform the job in a simplified manner. The downside is that these programs are pretty expensive and are out of reach of small time computer users. The benefit is that you don't have to keep paying a professional once you buy one of these softwares.

Lastly, make an informed decision before you take any step as the safety of your data depends heavily on it.

This is the process of saving (salvaging) data from failed, damaged, inaccessible or corrupted storage media that cannot be accessed normally. Salvaged data is usually from media formats like HDD (Hard Disk Drives), CD's, Storage Tapes, DVD'S, RAID and many other electronic storage devices. Logical damage to file systems in Hard Drives can prevent it from being accessed like normal and the loss of data can occur. Physical damage can also be a major factor in the malfunction of a storage media.

One of the most common issues involving data recovery is OS (Operating System) failure, when a file that the operating systems (such as windows) corrupts, gets deleted, becomes inaccessible to the hard drive the operating system fails and your files will become inaccessible.

Techniques for recovery

There are multiple techniques for recovering data from physically damaged hardware. One technique is to replace the damaged parts of the hard disk, this process may make the hard disk work again but there may still be logical damage. A special procedure of disk-imaging can be used to recover every readable bit from the surface of the HD. The image is acquired and saved on a readable, reliable medium. The data can then be inspected to find and logical damage, this process gives the possibility of the system files to be reconstructed.

Some examples of physical recovery procedures are as follows:

The removal of a damaged printed circuit board (from here out stated as PCB). The PCB is then replaced with a compatible matching PCB from a healthy, functioning Hard Drive.

A live PCB swap

Read/Write head assembly – the removal of hard disk platters from the damaged drive and installing them of a health drive.

Sometimes all the above procedures are needed for the process of data recovery. Be warned though almost every form of physical damage data recovery will void the manufacturer's warranty.

The Process of Disk Imaging

After logical damage has been repaired the reconstruction of data can take place. DOS Tools like HDClone or Open Source Tools like DCFLdd can often be used to recover all data except that from the physically damaged sectors of the disk. Another way to salvage damaged media is a government and Law Enforcement only tool known as ILook IXImanager.

Data recovery imaging has the following abilities:

It can bypass the BIOS and Operating System enabling it to communicate with the Hard Disk (The bios and Operating System are very limited when it comes to dealing with ‘bad sectors' and the recovery of them.

Data Imaging instead of skipping the bad sectors can actually read from them.

Unstable drives can cause issues like repowering or resetting the drive when trying to read bad sectors, Data Recovery Imaging can handle these issues.

Data Recovery Imaging can allow you to disable certain features which can greatly improve the imaging times. Features such as G-List re-mapping and SMART will increase the time imaging takes to complete.

Article Source : Pg. 381

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Both Althaf Ahmed & Daniel Owen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Althaf Ahmed has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dieting, Family and Network Marketing. The Author is an expert how to writer and runs 2 blogs at and .. Althaf Ahmed's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.

Daniel Owen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management, Cars and computers and the internet. About Author:Daniel Owen writes about . To know more about. Daniel Owen's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.