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raj_a143 — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:39:37 CDT

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chandu_chams — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:33:49 CDT

Data recovery

Data recovery software and undelete utilities can seem like the same products to some, but they are worls apart as far as capabilities: data recovery software has multiple functions to recover the system from different angles, while the basic undeletes - well - they are mainly designed to get deleted data back, although the detailed descriptions won't tell you that.

Following the price tag

The quick and easy way to differentiate recovery products, without have to learn all the technical stuff, is to research how much they cost. Data recovery software programs that are priced under the sixty-five dollar mark will be an undelete utility - most of the time they are about forty dollars. The better quality recovery utilities can help with more complex data issues so you will find them to be more expensive - about ninety U.S; the more sophisticated programs can run into the hundreds of dollars.

Keep in mind, companies tend to sell each component of their all-in-one special packages, because a lot of people are only looking to use it once - make sure the product you are researching will be able to solve your specific problem.

For the technically-minded...

Knowing the problem can give insight to the solution. For starters here are some background notes:

1. Deleted files are those files you throw away intentionally by dumping them into the Recycle Bin.
2. Lost files could be the result from emptying the computer's trash, a virus, accidentally formatting, a boot or partition problem.
3. Corrupted files contain distorted data when you can open them.
4. Damaged files have altered data, but part of it may be legible. Sounds similar to number three, but in technical terms they are different.

The big difference

Even though both recovery utilities are able to recover data, the one important difference that separates the two: data recovery software can actually repair and rebuild a file system that is not intact so that your data can be recovered - while undelete utilities can't. By the way, an intact file system means all components that "glue" the individual files together has not been damaged. So, for #1, and sometimes #2, you need an undelete. In all other cases data recovery software is the answer.

If these technical terms don't make sense to you, and you don't understand the difference between all of the data recovery tools available on the market, keep the following price rule in mind when choosing the right data recovery utility.

Choosing expert assistance

Well - if disk data recovery software is unable to retrieve your files, you can contact a hard disk data recovery expert to recover the data. It may cost more, but when disk data recovery software can't get back your files, a professional is the last hope.

File recovery solution for data loss

You will probably need the help of file recovery products at some point if you regularly use a computer or notebook. After all, just about everyone has made the honest mistake of deleting a file. But when you lose your data and your backup program fails, you need a file recovery solution to help you correct the situation fast. What situations file recovery programs can recover:

* File deletion
* Lost files
* Corruption
* Damaged Data

Let us define what each one means and then focus on the solutions for you:

Restoring deleted files

Most computer users have accidentally deleted files from their system. If you unintentionally trashed a file, this is the easiest problem to remedy. There are a variety of undelete data recovery solutions on the Internet both in the Windows and MAC world.

Restoring a lost file

You could end up losing a file not realizing that even though you can't find it could still be there. Situations like this include a file that was deleted, lost because of a power outage, software application, virus attack, partition problem, and the famous accidental format. There could be several options to correcting your problem depending on what caused it.

All this tech-terms to describe data loss can become confusing which is why it can be difficult to tell the difference between the utilities. In simpler words, a file recovery tool can only do so much to recover your files as a stand alone product. Data recovery software can restore data whether the file system is ok or has been altered. If you are unsure of which one to go with, use data recovery software because it will cover everything.

If mind is still spinning from all the terminology talk, and you don't know which solution to use for your situation, try both kinds of utilities. If this seems like too much, go with data recovery software -it is the most effective tool.

The no-brainer explanation:

If all else fails, check the price to help you tell the difference between undelete software and data recovery software. Undelete programs range from forty to seventy-five dollars, while data recovery programs costs between seventy-five to a hundred and twenty dollars.

Accessing corrupt files

Even though you can find corrupt files on your system, they will not properly open and sometimes cannot open. When the file is opened the contents look like gibberish. The same rules of file recovery apply to corrupt files: if the file system remains unchanged any file recovery tool will help. Otherwise, choose data recovery software.

Retrieving damaged files

Damaged files can be opened, but the files are not intact. For example, you may be able to read part of the file, but another art will be a scrambled mess. A file recovery utility can be used to reconstruct your data. There are some cases where you may need a hex editor to help with reconstructing the file manually. Always check first to be sure that the software you choose can repair a file because file repair is different from file recovery. File repair utilities are usually sold separately from the other recovery components.

Data recovery specialist

There are times when data recovery tools just don't work. Some problems are beyond the scope of automated tools so consulting a hard drive recovery professional is your only alternative. It will cost more than file recovery products, but it's worth it when you start considering what you have to do to get all that data back again.

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