Recovering just a few deleted folders

Simple question. I know there's software that can restore deleted items, so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Several folders were accidentally deleted from my computer a few days ago. (Since then I've had several power downs and restarts, in case that matters-- so the computer hasn't been on this whole time.) I'd like to recover just those folders, if possible, since everything else on the drive is fine. Is that possible still, even four or five days later? What software might be able to do that, if any?

m19

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2463

 

Mo, these two major guns around here don't need my paltry backup, but I just wanna second the motion on PCI File Recovery AND on the notion that if you load PCIFR onto the same drive that held the folders you're trying to retrieve, chances are extremely good that you'll overwrite the folders at least in part with the retriever program itself, and that'll lower your recovery chances by a huge margin.

If other options aren't available, spring for (or mebbe borrow) an inexpensive used or smaller HD (or an external) you can put PCIFR on, and run it with the other OS from the new drive. It MAY be possible to download PCIFR with another machine and burn it to a CD and run it on your friend's machine from the disc. Check out the site directly.

Just backup ideas from a second-string gun.

 

It's safely installed on another drive. I'm going to run it soon but it was going to take over 2 hours, so I'm waiting until later this weekend when I'm not using the system.

Thanks everyone.

m19

 

Well, let us know, Mo. I've had great recovery with PCIFR, but only with a file or two at a time, and only on other people's machines. (I've never needed it on mine, cuz I have nightly incremental data backups and weekly images. Anything I lose I still have on the second HD in one or more locations.)

Your report will help us advise others in the future. Best of luck to ya.

 

Hmm... When I start running it, select the physical D: drive, and hit OK, I get an access error about 1/4 of the way into it. If I run the logical drive bit instead, I get some files it looks like I could recover but they're all gibberish so it's hard to tell what's what.

m19

 

Indeed! I tried a few other shareware programs last night and've had varying degrees of success. One didn't find anything, another found a bunch of the data but then couldn't recover it since it was just a trial version. :\ But it's promising!

m19

 

I ended up having the best luck with a program called "Recover My Files." The registration price was a little steep (~$60 US) but I figure it's the kind of thing I want to have on hand in case this ever happens again.

I'm running the actual recovery right now. Previously, the demo found a pretty fair chunk of files, so I'm hoping they're actually normal once recovered. I'll post results.

m19

 

Sure! Here:

http://www.recovermyfiles.com/

m19

 

Great luck so far!! That program's slightly annoying in that you have to save everything back manually... e.g., there's one folder that got deleted that had about 200 files in it, and to save them back I have to click "Ok" manually each time. Needless to say, my hand's getting a tad tired. But so far it looks like there's about 70% recovery and I still have quite a bit more clicking to go, not too shabby!

m19

 

Access violation after using program.

i just used the 'pc inspector recovery' program that was mentioned at the beginning of this thread. When it asked me to select a logical drive or physical, i didnt know which one to select. when i clicked on any of them, it came up with this error message......


'access violation at address 004bd159 in module 'filerecovery.exe.'read of address 00000120'

What does this mean? it said the same thing when i selected wither physical or logical.

 

Like Wizewiz, I NOW do daily incremental backups and a weekly image. Daily Backup goes to a different drive( D:\backup) in my laptop, Weekly image goes to a dedicated partition (E:\), on my main hard drive, using Drive Image. May I suggest a backup program. It's free and does incremental backups. Only used it for a few days now, nearly a week, and it seems OK. Usual caveats apply on using any new program. maybe try it on a few non-important folders first to see if you like it. It came as a recommendation to me from a MG contributor. Bazza

Karen's Replicator 2.2.3 http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3917.html

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Are there any, free file recovery utilities that recover all data, instead of just the 34kb?

I remember downloading one from somewhere a while back, but ive forgotten what it was called.

 

sorry i meant to also include that can run on the same drive.

 

Sorry me again. Would it be possible to use my ipod as the separate drive?

or would this mess up the ipod?

 

creative, Drive Image will automatically create a partition (new drive number) on your main drive and then back up all data. Say C:\ is your main drive, Drive Image will partition the remaining free space on c:\ and automatically create a D:\ drive. If you already have a D:\ drive it will create one as E:\. You can then back up all data from C:\ to D:\ or E:\ as the case may be. It zips the files to a proprietary format but don't worry, they supply Image Explorer that works just like Windows Explorer and you can select and restore individual files if need be. Would recommend that you close all other open apps when usiing Drive Image.

If you use a laptop, like I do, you have to unprotect the Master Boot record, via the BIOS, run Drive Image and reprotect the MBR again. Write me if you are using a laptop with MBR protection. I am using DI 2002 so later versions may be even better. Bazza

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A note from the Admin:
it is suggested that new threads be started regarding separate issues. This makes your post "new" and more likely to be viewed. I passed over this thread numerous times becuase it was old and I thought it was resolved. In the future, help us help you and make a new thread.

Thanks