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Data Recovery

Hi experts.

Just looking for suggestions on a piece of software. I need something to recover data from corrupted hard drives. Normally I would use Easeus Data Recovery Wizard but in this instance I need the program to be bootable as I cannot remove the HDD and it is too damaged to boot from.

I tried running a linux Live disk and accessing the drive from there but it can't read any of the data.

Oh yes and the data format of the drive is NTFS (windows XP install on it).

Thanks in advance

PS. Strongly prefer free programs

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

rindi

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rindi

Something else that can sometimes also help and forgot to mention above, is a tool that can sometimes revive an HD (it isn't used to recover the data, but it can revive bad disk and make them accessible again with some luck). It is called the hdd regenerator. The trial allows you to recover 1 block, so you probably need to buy it for it to be of use:

http://www.dposoft.net/

ABCStore

Even better software is called "Victoria". Just google "Victoria hdd".

As far as recovering data, Easy Recovery Professional by Ontrack is usually one of the best.

Michael Dyer

You should build yourself a bootable CD and install your utilities on it - there are plenty of bootable images available on the web, just google for them. Naturally, we do not endorse any license violations so be aware that some of the stuff available on the Internet may not be 100% legal.

KTBerwick

ASKER

Thanks everyone.

I'm making a copy of PartedMagic now to use in the morning.

Easy Recovery Professional looks good but too expensive for the small amount of times I would use it. I will try Victoria at some point though.

I've always planned to make a bootable CD or USB drive with all my usual programs on, just never get around to it. Shame because I know it would be VERY useful.

nobus

>> I tried running a linux Live disk and accessing the drive from there but it can't read any of the data. << that does not sound good - any errors reported?
is the disk seen in the bios? if not, no software can use it
if a linux disk cannot access the data - you may need a recovery service if you need the data - here a couple :

http://freedatarecovery.us/                              Free Data Recovery
http://www.lowcostrecovery.com/index.html                        data recovery Company
http://www.gillware.com/                               " " "
http://www.drivesavers.com/services/estimates.html                   " " "

KTBerwick

ASKER

Very late in closing this one sorry.

I eventually got the data using PartedMagic and PhotoRec. Great piece of software,

Thanks to everyone for their help.