External HDD with all pictures corrupted. Help with recovering.

[Lanthus20]

I have an external HDD that I've been using to store pictures on, as I've gone through various computers I've used it to keep them safe. It corrupted today and how do I recover it. I live in a small town (in canada) and the only tech store is The Source, can they recover stuff from hard drives or is it a better idea I do it myself? I really need these pictures, lot's of them are family photo's (and videos) so I am really stressed right now. What is my best option?

 

[Neverhavemoney]

What ever you do Len, don't try to do this yourself. I have know so many people who think that they can fix it, and they end up making it so that the professionals can't even recover it. Your best bet, if it means enough to you, is to ship it to a Data Recovery Facility. It will cost you a lot, I'm sure, but they will most likely be able to recover it without any problems.

Let us know if you decide to do this, cause if not, im sure there are DIY tutorials out there, but they are very risky, and dont always work.

Good luck,
Ben

 

[whs]

What is the nature of the corruption. If it is just the MFT, that can be fixed from the mirror.
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

 

[Neverhavemoney]

What is the nature of the corruption. If it is just the MFT, that can be fixed from the mirror.
TestDisk - CGSecurity

Not to sure what MFT means whs. Can you explain more? And how does it have a mirror. I love learning new things.


Thanks,
Ben

 

[whs]

MFT = Master File Table

 

[Neverhavemoney]

MFT = Master File Table

Ok,
Compared to a HDD, what is the difference?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[whs]

Ben, the MFT is inventory list of all files in a partition. E.g. if you delete a file, it does not disappear from the partition. All that happens is that a bit in the MFT pertaing to that file is set saying that the file is deleted. That is why programs like Recuva have a good chance to recover data even after the user "deleted" it.
When a data partition or disk is shown as corrupted, it is very often the MFT that is on the blink. But fortunately there is a double (mirror) of it from where it can be reconstructed (most of the time).

 

[Barman58]

Ben,

Here you go happy reading

NTFS.com NTFS Format. Master File Table (MFT). General Information.

 

[Neverhavemoney]

Ben,

Here you go happy reading

NTFS.com NTFS Format. Master File Table (MFT). General Information.

Ben, the MFT is inventory list of all files in a partition. E.g. if you delete a file, it does not disappear from the partition. All that happens is that a bit in the MFT pertaing to that file is set saying that the file is deleted. That is why programs like Recuva have a good chance to recover data even after the user "deleted" it.
When a data partition or disk is shown as corrupted, it is very often the MFT that is on the blink. But fortunately there is a double (mirror) of it from where it can be reconstructed (most of the time).

Thank you both very much. Going to relax with my lady. Will take a look at the articals later.

Talk to you all later,
Ben

 

[karlsnooks]

I have an external HDD that I've been using to store pictures on, as I've gone through various computers I've used it to keep them safe. It corrupted today and how do I recover it. I live in a small town (in canada) and the only tech store is The Source, can they recover stuff from hard drives or is it a better idea I do it myself? I really need these pictures, lot's of them are family photo's (and videos) so I am really stressed right now. What is my best option?

Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download

 

[Mark Phelps]

Data recovery services really do cost a LOT -- from hundreds to thousands of dollars!!

As a first step, I would recomment you go to the runtime software site, download their free version of GetBackData for NTFS, install it, hook up your external drive, and run it.

The free version will not actually recover anything -- so it's safe to use -- but it will give you a solid feel for how well it finds your files and what your chances are at recovering them. The purchased version is a LOT cheaper than sending your drive to a data recovery service.

 

[Lanthus20]

I'm thinking about trying Recuva but where would I send the drive to get it done professionally and how much would it cost?

Getbackdata looks like a good option... but I'm kinda freaked at the idea of trying this...

Just had a brainwave. The pictures were on a deleted partition.. I could always try and recover the old partition itself! And then leave the External alone and as a last resort

 

[whs]

Forget the professional service. That will cost you an arm and a leg. Try Recuve - it can't hurt. Getbackdata I do not know. What is this story on the deleted partition. Where was this partition and how did it get deleted? And what is in the space of the deleted partition now.

 

[karlsnooks]

Here is one solution. The free version will let you know what can be recovered.
The pay version will recover but the pay version costs $70.

Recover deleted, lost partitions or hard drives. Hard Disk Partition Recovery software.

 

[karlsnooks]

Another solution which will cost $100 to restore a NTFS partition.

NTFS Recovery, Recover deleted file, undelete files with DiskInternals

 

[karlsnooks]

Still another, I have used this product before back in the XP days. The latest version is supposed to be, according to Acronis, Win 7 compatible. They alsohave a try before you buy.

I was well-pleased with this product back in the XP days.

Data partition or hard disk recovery software: recover lost or deleted partitions with our partition restore software

 

[karlsnooks]

And still another-the purchased version is $40.00.

This product has been highly recommended in the past.

Active@ Partition Recovery. Recover Deleted Partition. Undelete NTFS & FAT partitions.

 

[Lanthus20]

Which do I use?

 

[karlsnooks]

First try Recuva. If that doesn't work then probably I'd go with Easeus.

 

[Lanthus20]

Ok thanks.