Recovering Files Using Disk Digger
Start
Don't wait until you've lost data to
install a data-recovery tool, since its installation can overwrite the very
file you wish to recover. We like the free DiskDigger; download it now from
tinyuri.com/dx9a2ee. Next, simply extract the contents of the Zip archive and
run the .exe file.
We
like the free DiskDigger; download it now from tinyuri.com/dx9a2ee.
Step 2
DiskDigger lists all your drives on the
main screen. Select the disk containing your deleted data, then click Next
three times. DiskDigger will scan your drive and list any deleted files it
finds, but note that this could take some time. Look for the relevant file in
the list; if it’s not there, try altering some options in its configuration.
Select
the disk containing your deleted data, then click Next three times.
Step 3
DiskDigger won't display the filenames you
attributed to each file. A preview option is provided to help identify lost
files, however. Select a file from the list on the left and choose Preview (for
photos) or the ‘First few bytes' tag. Also useful for photos is the Thumbnail
option in the View menu.
Select
a file from the list on the left and choose Preview
Step 4
Once you've identified your lost file,
select it in the list and click 'Recover selected files...' Choose the device
and folder to which you want to restore the data (not the original drive) and
click Ok. DiskDigger will automatically generate filenames for your files, so
be sure to rename them to avoid losing them a second time.
Choose
the device and folder to which you want to restore the data
Hard-Disk Failure
Having dispelled the myth that deleted and
corrupted files are lost forever, we now come to the problem that all PC users
dread: a hard-disk failure. This could manifest in several ways but, generally,
Windows won’t start, even in Safe mode, and turning on your PC might be
accompanied by unhealthy clicking sounds. What you stand to lose isn’t just a
few of your treasured files, but the entire contents of the disk.
It’s commonly suggested that putting a
failing hard drive in the freezer can repair it. This has been known to work,
although only ever to bring the drive back to life just long enough to extract
your most important files. This solution is effective only with specific types
of fault, of course, and you could potentially make matters worse. Our advice,
if you want the best possible chance of recovering your data, is to avoid DIY
fixes such as this.
Instead, as soon as you suspect a hardware
failure, turn off your PC and make contact with a data-recovery company, such
as Kroll OnTrack (krollontrack.co.uk). Such companies maintain vast stocks of
spare parts, so they can open and repair your hard drive inside a clean room. A
technician is then able to copy your data to encrypted removable media, such as
a USB drive.
If the problem is with the hard drive's
electronic circuit board, motor or read/ write head, there's a good chance that
specialists will be able to recover your precious data. However, if the drive
platter is scratched or damaged, it’s usually game over. This is the part of
the hard drive on which your data is stored.
As always, it pays to shop around before
deciding to which company you should send your drive; it's also wise to look
for a service that will diagnose the problem for free. As a guide, Kroll
OnTrack charges a fixed $940 fee to consumers; business rates differ depending
on the exact nature of the problem.
Just a little scratch
Although data can't usually be recovered if
a hard disk's platter is scratched, the same isn’t necessarily true of optical
discs. Provided that the scratch is in the plastic protective layer and not the
underlying data storage layer, chemical formulations and mechanical polishing
machines are available to help repair your disc. Digital Innovations' SkipDR is
one example, available for $22 from PC World (see digitalinnovations.com for
more info).
