Nov 2007
Disk-aster of the Month
08 November 2007 18:38 Filed in: Tech News
Frampton Comes Alive—Again
A "directory recovery" is the most common and best quality recovery that DriveSavers can produce. However, when a user has deleted files/folders, initialized or formatted a drive or, for an unknown reason, has missing documents; the data may have to be returned in a "generic" format.
If the original directory pointers (technically referred to as the "catalog and extent tree leaf nodes") are lost or overwritten, a generic recovery is a likely probability, although a directory recovery may still be possible. The directory functions like a book's table of contents, locating and accessing files stored randomly across the platters.
DriveSavers engineers have developed highly customized utilities that allow them to recover data in spite of damaged file directories. Working at the sector level, they can define and decipher hex code "headers", organize the data by file type (Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc.) and verify that the recovered files are complete and undamaged. The customer would then open and rename each file after the data is returned.
On a recent recovery performed for music legend Peter Frampton, all of Peter's files were retrieved devoid of their original titles. The artist's hard drive had held 1000 songs recorded with his audio device, a folder with song lyrics and many family vacation photos. With or without names, most of the data was one-of-a-kind if not irreplaceable. Peter and his family were overjoyed to have the files back.
DriveSavers engineers will not stop until they have tried everything to achieve a perfect directory recovery. But, if the directory structure is impossible to recover, we can still give the customer generic results. And like Peter, most customers are thrilled to get back any of their lost data, even if it means renaming the files themselves.
A "directory recovery" is the most common and best quality recovery that DriveSavers can produce. However, when a user has deleted files/folders, initialized or formatted a drive or, for an unknown reason, has missing documents; the data may have to be returned in a "generic" format.
If the original directory pointers (technically referred to as the "catalog and extent tree leaf nodes") are lost or overwritten, a generic recovery is a likely probability, although a directory recovery may still be possible. The directory functions like a book's table of contents, locating and accessing files stored randomly across the platters.
DriveSavers engineers have developed highly customized utilities that allow them to recover data in spite of damaged file directories. Working at the sector level, they can define and decipher hex code "headers", organize the data by file type (Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc.) and verify that the recovered files are complete and undamaged. The customer would then open and rename each file after the data is returned.
On a recent recovery performed for music legend Peter Frampton, all of Peter's files were retrieved devoid of their original titles. The artist's hard drive had held 1000 songs recorded with his audio device, a folder with song lyrics and many family vacation photos. With or without names, most of the data was one-of-a-kind if not irreplaceable. Peter and his family were overjoyed to have the files back.
DriveSavers engineers will not stop until they have tried everything to achieve a perfect directory recovery. But, if the directory structure is impossible to recover, we can still give the customer generic results. And like Peter, most customers are thrilled to get back any of their lost data, even if it means renaming the files themselves.
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Migrating Recovered Data
08 November 2007 18:36 Filed in: Tech Tips
When DriveSavers completes a recovery, the recovered data is returned on a new hard drive, DVD or other media. If the drive was physically damaged or malfunctioning, it is probably unreliable and you may need to purchase another one. If it is in warranty, you can then send the recovered drive back to the vendor for replacement once the recovery is completed. DriveSavers is authorized to open all drives without voiding the warranty.
DriveSavers recovers everything from the failed media (including applications, operating systems and data files), but our engineers only verify the integrity and quality of the data files. Copying the files over to a new drive may not complete the process; the user may need to take some time to restore settings and reinstall applications to insure that everything functions properly. In some cases these preferences and settings can be imported.
Additionally, there are some other solutions that can help a customer return to pre-failure state. Current operating systems have software to assist the user with this process. Utility software that automates the task is also available for purchase, as are USB "data transfer" cables that can help with a data import.
Most importantly, always make and verify a backup if you need to move data for any reason.
DriveSavers recovers everything from the failed media (including applications, operating systems and data files), but our engineers only verify the integrity and quality of the data files. Copying the files over to a new drive may not complete the process; the user may need to take some time to restore settings and reinstall applications to insure that everything functions properly. In some cases these preferences and settings can be imported.
Additionally, there are some other solutions that can help a customer return to pre-failure state. Current operating systems have software to assist the user with this process. Utility software that automates the task is also available for purchase, as are USB "data transfer" cables that can help with a data import.
Most importantly, always make and verify a backup if you need to move data for any reason.