Hi all. Today we will talk about data recovery in the event of a crash of the system, hard drive, or God forbid the computer as a whole.

Backup will help us avoid losing data usingAcronis True Image Home. The program is necessary and important especially for those who zealously monitor the preservation of valuable data. By the way, for those who like to store data on disks, I recommend reading the article -.

Simply put, Acronis creates backup copies of data from disks, as well as any other important files. The help of this program is also important if changes are made to some parameters important to the system.

After all, thanks to the created image, you will be able to restore all the data that will be included in the backup copy. This may also be necessary if any problems arise with the system.

Thus, created thanks to Acronis BackupData 's take the security of files on your computer to a whole new level.

Acronis fully supports the Russian language. True, this program is paid and the licensed version will cost about 1000 rubles.

However, for the sake of the safety of your valuable data, I think it will be possible to spend money once. But in the context of this article, we will use the free version of the program, limited in time. So, let's look at the capabilities of the Acronis program and learn how to use it.

Download versiontrial is possible directly from . I think the installation process will not raise any questions for anyone, since it is extremely simple. Therefore, I will not describe this in detail, but it would be advisable to choose the full version, but not the usual, selective one. In the line requiring the key, we do not write anything if you do not know it.

Once the installation process is complete, restart your computer. After that, open the program by double-clicking on the shortcut.Acronis True Image Home 2010. Remember that Acronis One-Click Backup will not work, you need exactly that shortcut.

When a window appears warning you that we are using a demo version, click on “Try”. Well, as soon as we launch the program, it immediately asks whether to create a disk image. It’s too early for us, so we click on “Cancel”.

Well, first we will look at the process of creating a disk image.

There are two options for creating a disk image. First, via Windows, running the program directly on the system, that is, as we are going to do. And the second, through a boot disk with the program.

Naturally, we must first create it. Restoration with the second method of creating an image is carried out similarly to the first, so there are no special difficulties. True, there are undeniable advantages of creating an image through a boot disk.

Namely, by working in this way, you increase the security of data storage significantly. Despite the fact that the levels of information protectionAcronis are quite high when creating an image through the system. But you should still take into account the fact that many processes occur simultaneously on the computer’s hard drive.

And when creating a disk image, there is no 100% guarantee that no error will occur; the operation of various antiviruses is especially dangerous. Thus, the image (forgive the tautology) may turn out to be incorrect and damaged.

Therefore, I consider it advisable to pay closer attention to creating a copy from a CD-disk withAcronis. And below I will describe this process in more detail.

But if there are those who persistently want to create an image from the system, then the work process will not be difficult for them. After all, the program supports the Russian language, and then the whole process will be prompted by the program itself.

And on the other hand, the process of interacting with the disk is almost identical to working through Windows, there are literally a few differences in the little things.

Creating a disk image using Acronis

So, let's start by creating the boot disk itself. Let's pay attention to the program windowAcronis and click on the “Tools and Utilities” tab => “Create bootable media”. Now, listening to the program’s prompts, we follow the suggested path.

For the first three steps, click on “OK”;

Next, at the fourth stage, the program prompts you to select a device for recording, we select “CD burner" . This means that we have chosen yoursDVD, CD- drive unit. After you have chosen, click on “Next”;

Insert into the driveCD -disk intended for recording and click on the “Proceed” button;

After the system shows that the recording is complete, click on “OK”.

2 Acronis Data Recovery

We all want to hope that we will never have to restore a disk image. But still, cases are different and as additional knowledge, it would not hurt us to master the nuances of disk image recovery.

The process is quite simple.

So, we boot the computer from a blank with the program. Next, in the program window, select the “Recovery” section. Then click on the button« Search for backups" and in the next window select the image that you once created. And at the end of the startup process, click on “Restore”.

But if you lost, deleted, etc. some specific files, then there is no need to restore all the data. You can select “Recover selected partitions and folders”"and follow the prompts

Or it is possible to restore a disk or a specific partition - “Restore disks or partitions”.

And we chose to restore the system partition and clicked on the “Next” button.

The next tab will prompt us to clarify which folders, sections, etc. we want to restore. Following the path we have chosen, we must select the section we need and alsoMBR . The latter meansthe main boot area, which contains a list of loading operating systems.

This is also convenient from the point of view that if there are problems with the bootloader, you can only selectMBR. Of course, if there are no problems with data loss. And the opposite from here: if you are sure that there are no problems with the bootloader, and the problem is with the files, then you can not select MBR.

Now we double-click on the fateful “Next” button again. When the MBR tab appears, we should indicate the location where we want to restore the boot area. And here you need to choose the place from where this image was taken. And again “Next”. "Get started."

We wait for the process to complete and restart the computer. Everything should be back to normal and functioning perfectly.

In the process of creating a disk image, you copy all the data to date. The program creates a backup copy of the registry, the system partition, and files in real time.

Therefore, when completely restoring from an image taken from diskwill return the data copies from which they were taken. That is, those files and data that were added to the hard drive after the backup was taken will be deleted and lost. The program recreates the system on that day.

Therefore, I believe it is necessary to create fresh disk backups as soon as new important data appears on the disk. Or, when restoring from a disk image, select only those folders that were damaged. And also in case of system failures, restore only system foldersWindows.

Well, the last piece of advice: use external storage media or internal removable ones - they are the most secure.

But in fact, the program’s capabilities regarding the created image are not as limited as we think. After all, you can work with the created image as a system disk, that is, extract and add files to it.

For such actions, select the “Tools and Utilities” section => “Mount image”.

The next step is to specify the image and work with it as a system disk.

By the way, the program still has many useful functions that would be worth exploring. For example, scheduled reservations. Also, to restore information, I advise you to read the articles: about what needs to be done to ensure that the hard drive lasts as long as possible. Lastly, watch a cool video about a monkey :)

nBFhvrAOFqY&rel=1

If the damage to the operating system is so severe that booting has become impossible and you have not activated Startup Recovery, you can restore the system from bootable media with a standalone version of Acronis True Image Home 11, created using Bootable Disk Creation Wizards, if, of course, you took care of this in advance. A bootable disk will help you restore your system from a previously created image on your computer's hard drive or from a saved image on a DVD recorded in UDF format.To burn an archive to DVD, you must have a DVD burning program in UDF format installed, for example, Nero (Nero Burning ROM).

Sometimes the image created on the local disk of the computer and intended for recording on a DVD disc, exceeds the capacity of the disc. In this case, it needs to be broken down into parts during the image creation process. When choosing backup options, turn the switch to the "Set options manually" position.

After the backup procedure is completed, there will be several files of the created image on your computer's hard drive.

When restoring data from a created image from a floppy drive, you need to insert the most recently recorded disc first, and then insert the discs following the instructions of the Data Recovery Wizard.

To use the boot disk, you must have an idea of ​​what BIOS is. If you have previously installed the operating system yourself, then this will not be too difficult for you; if you have not done this, then it is better to contact a specialist.

But it's not all that scary. Everyone does something for the first time.

To download the program Acronis bootable media, you must configure your computer to boot from the CD-ROM drive rather than the hard drive. Most modern motherboards have a boot selector that can be opened by pressing a specific key or key combination while the computer is booting, e.g. F11 ( F8, F10, F12, Esc) , depends on BIOS version.The Boot Options menu allows you to select a device to boot from a list of boot devices without changing the BIOS settings. You can determine a key or key combination during boot, when testing the hardware (Boot Menu).

If the motherboard does not have a selector with boot options, you need to open the built-in Setup utility BIOS, which is intended for initial computer setup to configure the required settings. To do this, turn on the computer boot. In the first seconds of boot, at the moment when the equipment is being tested, press the key or (sometimes a keyboard shortcut), which key to press depends on the version of BIOS you have installed. This is almost always written at the bottom of the screen when the computer boots, when testing the hardware. Sometimes some motherboards will show the motherboard manufacturer's company logo during boot by default. In settings BIOS display of it can be disabled.

///

A window will appear BIOS. You BIOS may be different, but the meaning of the actions is the same.

To change the boot priority, use the cursor key, the mouse will not work, move to the item Advanced Bios Features. To enter the menu of this item, you must press the key .

Moving to the point First Boot Device(first boot device, Hard Disk).

To change the setting, press the key .

Move to line CD-ROM.

Press the key . Moving to the point Second Boot Device(second boot device, CDROM).

Press the key .

Move to line Hard Disk.

Press the key .

And to start loading the program - press . The boot disk must be in the CD-ROM drive.

After booting from the boot disk, you will see the boot disk menu.

Select Acronis True Image Home (Full version) if there are other utilities on the boot disk Acronis.

The Acronis program is located entirely in the computer's RAM, so after downloading the program, you can remove the disk and insert the disk(s) with the archive or begin the procedure for restoring data from a previously created image on the local disk of the computer, or from the "Security Zone"Acronis" or from "Archive Storage".

Once the recovery procedure is complete, return the previous BIOS settings.

Note.
Sometimes it may happen that after downloading Acronis True Image Home 11, the Data Recovery Wizard will display the following message: Error E000101F4: No hard drive found.

This means that the current version of the program, unfortunately, does not support your hard drive.

Let's try to connect another hard drive, for example ADATA CH94 external hard drive and download the program again.

The external hard drive is detected. And now the same computer, but with Acronis True Image Home 2011.

The program found all hard drives. However, please be aware that the versionAcronis True Image Home 2011 requires more resources and disk space to accommodate it, and updating the license is not always the only and mandatory solution to the problem.

Good afternoon, dear guests of our site. Finally, the hour has come when we can present to you another creation of the wonderful company Acronis. We have a unique application AcronisDiskDirectorHome , please love and favor. The legendary program is by far the best virtual partition manager for netbooks, desktop computers and laptops. But still, this product is interesting to us because it is also endowed with such a wonderful property as data recovery on a deleted logical volume of a PC hard drive. That's why Disk Director made it onto our list of quality software forresuscitation of lost electronic files. Also among the pleasant features of the application, it is necessary to note the full Russian-language design. The main disadvantage is the considerable total amount of installation data of this software solution.

Acronisdiskdirectorrus is a very high-quality software product from Acronis, which has all the necessary tools for professional work with personal computer hard drives. The powerful utility is simply unrivaled in diagnosing and recovering lost partitions for various types of hard drives (HDD, SSD). Despite all the bells and whistles, the program is extremely easy to use. With the help of Acronis Disk Director, even an inexperienced person will be able to maintain the disk storage of their computer system without serious problems. The complex allows you to carry out a whole range of useful procedures, such as creating, deleting, editing and restoring PC partitions.

Acronisdiskdirector suite is able to offer its users all the necessary preventive actions, without which the average user of a personal computer simply cannot do without. Today's utility gives you the opportunity to become a strong manager of your computer system. The publishers of Disk Director have made a truly successful program. With the help of which you can now easily and quickly backup information from the source volume to another, format any hard drive partitions and bring back to life the digital data of a remote computer operating system. Exclusively for you, dear visitors of the Safe-Data.ru website, we have prepared a working, full-fledged, and also a completely new version of the Acronis Disk Director Home application.

Download this wonderful software to your device for free and start installing it on your version of Windows OS. The utility was released in 2010, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility with systems. Note that in our case, Acronis Disk Director was operated on the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system (Professional, SP 1). Without hesitation, we launch the program from a shortcut located on the desktop of our OS. Before launching, the application performed an express scan of all disk devices connected to the PC. In the working field of the window we can see recognized containers for storing electronic files. To restore a deleted HDD logical volume, the user needs to activate the built-in tool of this software package. On the left, in the “Tools” category, there will be a button for the already familiar Acronis Recovery Expert utility. Click on it.

The following procedure will be exactly the same as in our detailed review of Acronis Recovery Expert software. We recommend that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with this material and still regain full access to the damaged or lost hard drive partition on your computer. Without exaggeration, we can say that you simply won’t find better software of this kind, so download, use and share the link to the article.

Happy data recovery!

If you liked the program, share the link with your friends.

Program developer: www.acronis.ru

How to restore Windows that won't boot using Acronis True Image 2016 bootable media from a previously created backup? Creating a backup copy of Windows with settings, drivers, installed programs and games is a reliable way to save the system and data for further resuscitation in the event of a system failure, virus infection, deletion of important files and a host of other problems. Despite the presence of standard system backup functionality in Windows, third-party software is used for these purposes in most cases. And users often trust the resuscitation of Windows to the Acronis True Image program, which has been the market leader in backup and data recovery software for more than ten years. Having made a backup copy of Windows in advance using Acronis True Image, in case of problems with the system it can be revived by rolling back to the state from this same backup copy. Even if Windows won't boot, True Image bootable media will come to the rescue.

We will consider this entire process in detail below: we will create a backup copy of Windows in Acronis True Image 2016 and restore it using bootable media.

Free trial version of Acronis True Image 2016

In the latest versions 2015 and 2016, the True Image interface has become simpler and more intuitive than in its predecessor versions. The organization and appearance of the program matches Windows 8.1 and 10: the interface design is dominated by simple lines and shapes, and large controls simplify touch control. Acronis even claims super-performance for data backup and recovery—as much as 50% faster than its competitors.

Acronis True Image version 2016 is a paid software product. By purchasing the program, you get not only Windows backup functionality, but also a lot of other features:

• several methods to restore Windows, including startup repair by pressing the F11 key;
• transferring Windows to a computer with different hardware;
• safe Windows sandbox mode;
• other useful functions.

Acronis is offering a free one-month trial version of True Image with some limited functionality, which does not include Windows backup and recovery. Likewise, the ability to create bootable media is not limited. Let's take advantage of this free opportunity to the maximum, and first, download this very free version of True Image 2016 on the official website of Acronis True Image.

To receive a link to download the trial version, you must leave your email address to Acronis. Subsequently, it will occasionally receive letters informing you about Acronis products, promotions, discounts, etc.

After installing and launching the program, we can close the login to the Acronis cloud storage account that is offered from the start and confirm the use of True Image in trial mode.

Creating a Windows Backup

In the True Image window we need the first section. Click "The whole computer."

In our case, only the system partition with Windows is backed up, so the next choice will be, accordingly, "Disks and partitions."

In the backup source selection window, check only system partition C. Click "Ok".

In the window for selecting a backup destination, you must specify the location where the copy of Windows will be stored. The program provides for saving a copy during its creation on:

• local computer space,
• removable media (USB-HDD),
• network resources, in particular in Acronis cloud storage.

What's better? Cloud storage from the creator of the program is practically imposed on users, since this pleasure is paid. However, both the cloud service from Acronis and any other web resource are not the most reliable places to store data if there is no high-speed Internet. And how, in some cases, will a non-functional Windows be able to connect to the Internet? There may also be problems connecting to local network resources. The most reliable place to store backups is an additional internal or external hard drive. A non-system partition on the same hard drive that contains the system partition with Windows is not the best storage location, since if this drive fails, you will be left without backup copies.

In our case, there is no external hard drive, but there is a connected internal HDD, so in the backup destination window we select “Browse”.

We will specifically set aside one of the partitions on the second internal HDD for storing Windows backups and call this partition Backup to make it easier to navigate during recovery. If, when choosing a storage location for a backup copy, disk partitions do not open in the tree structure of the computer, the specific path to the storage directory folder can be entered in the column at the top with the inscription "Save a copy to:". Having selected the storage location for the copy, click “Ok”.

Next we will see a window for starting the backup process. In the left corner at the bottom of the window there is the “Settings” option; this is Acronis True Image’s configuration functionality, which allows you to set flexible parameters - for example, set periodic backups on a schedule or select an incremental copying method, when only changes are made to each subsequent copy. Also in the settings, you can exclude certain types of files or directories from the backup copy, configure duplication of the copy in an alternative location, select a low priority for Acronis True Image to allocate computer resources for parallel operations, etc.

In our case, we will not resort to additional settings, but will immediately begin creating a backup copy. Click the “Create a copy” button. By the way, Acronis True Image allows you to delay this moment for several hours in the drop-down list of this button.

While creating a backup, you can check the box to turn off the computer at any time and go about your business.

After the operation is completed, the backup copy will appear in the window of the first section of the program. In the same section, you can start the process of restoring from a backup copy - be it Windows or individual files.

In our case, we will not run the Windows recovery process inside the installed program. Let's complicate the task and create bootable Acronis True Image media to look at the process of restoring Windows that won't boot.

Creating bootable media

To create bootable media, go to the “Tools” tab of the program and select "Bootable Media Builder".

Since the free trial version of Acronis True Image 2016 is limited to a one-month testing period, this process should not be postponed. By the way, bootable media will allow you to restore Windows, but being created as part of the free trial version of the program, it will not allow you to create a backup copy, as is provided in the full version of Acronis True Image 2016.

Choose the first type of bootable media.

In the next window, you need to select the media itself - a DVD, flash drive or ISO file for storage and subsequent recording on any of the media. If you select a DVD or flash drive, Acronis True Image will carry out the recording process itself. Keeping an entire flash drive for a rainy day will probably be an excessive luxury for many. It would be much more practical to allocate a DVD for these purposes or create an ISO file that can, for example, be stored on another computer and burned to a flash drive at the right time. Plus, Acronis True Image cannot create UEFI flash drives, and for computers with a UEFI BIOS, in any case, you will need software with the ability to create UEFI bootable flash drives.

In our case, we will select the ISO file and indicate the path to save it.

Click the “Proceed” button.

Bootable media has been created.

Windows Recovery

Let's say that rainy day has arrived and Windows won't boot. We go into the BIOS and set the computer to boot from a DVD or flash drive created in Acronis True Image. The startup window of the bootable media will offer several options for further actions, from which you must select launch Acronis True Image 2016 with the appropriate bit depth.

In the recovery window, click either "Update backups" so that Acronis True Image itself finds files of its format, or using the button "Searching for a backup" indicate the path to the required file.

As soon as the backups appear in the Acronis True Image window, call up the context menu on the desired one and click “Restore”.

Selecting a recovery method: in our case we are talking about resuscitating Windows, not folders and files, so we choose "Recover disks and partitions". Click “Next”.

Selecting items to restore: in this window, check both the system partition C and the MBR boot record. Click “Next”.

In our case, no changes will be made in the window for specifying recovery settings, and, in principle, something will only have to be changed if Windows is transferred as a separate partition to another connected hard drive. Click “Next”.

If several internal hard drives are connected to your computer, Acronis True Image will then ask you to specify one of them to restore the MBR boot record. We indicate and click “Next”.

The preparation is complete, we can proceed directly to the Windows recovery process.

The recovery operation execution window is equipped with options to automatically restart and shut down the computer after the process is completed. If necessary, you can use them.

The restoration was completed successfully.

Now we can again set the BIOS to boot from the hard drive and test the reanimated Windows.

Have a great day!

Losing data from a hard drive is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. If this happened due to its malfunction, then to restore data you need to contact service centers that are engaged in retrieving data from damaged storage media.

However, if the hard drive is working properly, then in most cases you can recover deleted data yourself using specialized software, which will be discussed below.

Reasons for lost files

The reasons for losing data from a hard drive can be different. They are divided into two categories: mechanical and software.

Mechanical reasons include:

• blows;
• shaking;
• overheat;
• failure of the hard drive controller.

Photo: recovering information from hard drives

The second reason includes software glitches and user errors:

1. computer viruses;
2. sudden power outage;
3. errors;
4. formatting;
5. accidental deletion.

Deleted files disappear completely

If data was lost due to errors, formatting or accidental deletion, it can be completely restored. For example, when formatting, the data itself is not deleted; only the header is erased, which contains information about its location on the hard drive.

The same applies to accidental deletion. The operating system marks the sectors that store data as write-ready and displays them as free space. At the same time, the files themselves remain on the HDD up to their sectors with new information.

In some cases, even in the event of mechanical damage, for example, due to shock, it is possible to recover data from the hard drive, but this is only done by service centers.

Video: Data Recovery

What to do if important information is deleted

The most important thing is not to panic. The likelihood of recovering a newly deleted file is very high. In this case, users have a completely reasonable question: how to recover data? Special programs will come to the rescue that will scan specified areas of the hard drive and help perform recovery even after a full format.

To reduce the risk of complete loss of information, you should adhere to the following tips:

Overview and operating principles of utilities

Recovery utilities provide the user with various tools that, when used in a timely manner, give almost 100% results.

In their work they use the following recovery methods:

• reconstruction of the file system (FS) structure. Used in case of quick formatting or deleting a logical volume. In this case, the directory structure is not disrupted, which makes it possible to restore entire directories and subdirectories while preserving the paths.
• file recovery. This method involves reading FS service records from which the software determines the location and attributes. This method works if there has been no data replacement.
• ability to restore information using signatures. Performed by sector-by-sector scanning for the presence of known signatures. In this case, their paths and names are not saved, and the result is sorted by their type. The method is used if the FS is damaged and its reconstruction is impossible.

Modern programs use all three methods. This approach ensures maximum and efficient results from the required software. The article presents the most popular and powerful programs. Many of them are free, but there are also paid versions.

PC Inspector File Recovery

A simple but powerful application that allows you to recover not only data, but also deleted partitions. Detects HDD even if there is no boot sector. Supports work with network media and FAT file system. PC Inspector File Recovery can be installed both in Windows OS and can create a boot floppy disk, which allows you to run it even in the absence of an OS or in case of damage to the FS.

PC Inspector File Recovery is free and supports the Russian language, but the quality does not always correspond to what is stated. In this case, developers offer to use paid services. Overall, the app is great for most users due to its ease of use.

Working with the program

The interface is convenient and most importantly simple. The work is performed step by step.

When starting, you will be asked to choose one of three operating options:

1. search for deleted files. Used for accidentally deleted information;
2. search for lost data. The option will help restore data in the event of a system failure or quick formatting;
3. searching for a lost volume. If the drive is inaccessible or has a missing drive letter, this option will fix the problem.

After selecting the mode, PC Inspector File Recovery will start scanning and display information about available volumes.

Then the desired section opens, where the user selects the search area, noting the start and end sectors of the scan. The application will find all the lost data in the specified range and display it in a window from where you can save it.

Similar actions are performed for the other two modes. Despite its simplicity, the utility effectively searches and saves deleted data.

Recovering data from a hard drive using the R-Studio utility

R-Studio is considered one of the best programs among its analogues. If the loss is not related to physical damage to the media, then in most cases R-Studio is highly likely to save the deleted data.

Initially it was intended for restoration specialists, but over time its capabilities expanded and R-Studio became available to ordinary users.

Photo: R-Studio Data Recovery program

Key features of the program include:

1. Supports all major file systems on Windows, Linux and Macintosh;
2. extraction from damaged, formatted and reformatted media;
3. the ability to view content of any type and assess the chances of its successful return;
4. processing of bad sectors;
5. presence of a hexadecimal editor;
6. A professional RAID reconstruction module that is comparable to specialized software packages.

R-Studio can be used on almost all operating systems of the Windows, Linux and Macintosh family. It is also possible to create bootable media.

The application has an intuitive interface. When launched, it displays available media (including removable media).

To start scanning, you need to select the volume from which you want to recover data and click the “Scan” button. After this, the search process will begin.

Easily able to recover lost data, even in the most difficult cases.

Recovers data that was lost as a result of:

• virus attacks;
• system failure;
• improper shutdown of the computer;
• FS damage;
• formatting (including full);
• errors when creating volumes.

There are cases when the operating system does not start due to the loss of system files, in this case you can create a boot floppy disk and save them.

Thanks to a powerful algorithm, Ontrack Easy Recovery is able to restore damaged ZIP archives, as well as text documents created in the MS Office software package. The unique Ontrack Data Advisor module can diagnose the general condition of disks and identify bad sectors.

Ontrack Easy Recovery interface

Perfect for anyone, from home users to specialists in service centers. A discreet but simple interface allows you to quickly understand the controls and get to work immediately.

In the main program window, you only need to select the media type and click the “Continue” button, then a window will appear with a list of partitions, in which the user selects the drive with which to work.

After this, access to the tools opens:

1. view logical volume;
2. return after formatting the partition and deleting it;
3. drive diagnostics;
4. disk tools.

The last paragraph includes the following operations with the partition:

• creating an image;
• deploying a volume from an image;
• copying;
• viewing;
• update.

Depending on how the files were deleted, the appropriate tool is selected and the scan of the marked area begins. Compared to other software packages, this process is quite fast. Upon completion, the viewing window will display the information found, which can be saved.

The program supports the Russian language, but is paid.

Boot floppy with Windows Easy Recovery

Windows Easy Recovery will help save data in case the FS is damaged or the operating system is unable to start. It saves all data to a working HDD, partition or removable media. The application is loaded into RAM and runs from it. This is convenient if the media has a damaged file system.

Its interface is no different from any other software running in the Windows environment. Unless all names will be shortened to 8 characters. To create a floppy disk, you need to download a special installer and go to the “Make Emergency Boot Diskette” item.
Windows Easy Recovery is free, but unpopular, even though it works well.

Power Quest Lost & Found

An effective utility for recovering deleted data. Works only from bootable media. It differs in the need to have an additional storage device with you for saving (flash drive or second hard drive), since Power Quest Lost & Found does not save to the restored partition in order to avoid overwriting them.

The program installer serves only to create a boot floppy disk with the DOS operating system and the necessary tools for work. After this, the computer boots from the floppy disk, and Power Quest Lost & Found is ready to use. Its recovery reliability is very high. The application itself runs from the computer's RAM.

Recovery process

Power Quest Lost & Found works in a step-by-step mode; after launch, it immediately begins scanning the surface of the media for the presence of bad sectors, which you will be asked to skip. Upon completion of the scan, the user can select the partition to be restored and the media on which the data will be saved.

After the scan is completed, the utility will display a tree structure of all directories, and also indicate the likelihood of their recovery:

• green and yellow – high;
• red – low;
• gray – impossible.

To save, you need to select the necessary files, then click “Start Recovery”. Depending on their size and number, the process can take up to several hours.

Note: Since control is only carried out using the keyboard, you will need to become familiar with the required key combinations. To do this, call up the help menu using the F1 key.

Restorer 2000

Another interesting application that can be called an analogue of R-Studio, but with poorer functionality. Despite this, Restorer 2000 performs its assigned tasks efficiently. Works with FAT and NTFS file systems, and also supports the creation of backup images.

The interface is similar to the R-Studio shell. To start scanning, you need to select an object and press the scan button. The detected data will appear in the right window, where you can view its contents.

In general, Restorer 2000 fully copes with its tasks, but purchasing a paid version is not advisable, since there are analogues with more functions and tools.

GetDataBack

A powerful tool for recovering lost information. Distributed separately for NTFS and FAT file systems. The latter is suitable for removable media (memory cards, flash drives). Regardless of the type of deletion, GetDataBack will most likely return them completely intact, but only if no write operations were performed on the drive.

Its distinctive feature is the ability to recover both after a full format and from media with physical damage, however, here the developers do not provide a 100% guarantee, but the possibility itself is a huge advantage.

In addition, GetDataBack includes the following features:

• search for lost items based on service records;
• the ability to restore files using signatures;
• reconstruction of the FS;
• work via the network;
• flexibility of settings.

These features allow the program to occupy a leading position among both professionals and ordinary users.

Stages of work

Initially, the software package is supplied in German, but you can download the localization language separately. The interface is the same as its counterparts - step-by-step. The first step is to select a work scenario that will configure it for the appropriate mode.

There are several modes:

• I don't know and will use the software settings (default settings);
• quick scan (used when a volume is lost or accidentally deleted);
• loss of FS, for example, after formatting or markup;
• significant losses of FS, for example, after installing a new operating system;
• recovering deleted files.

After selecting the script, GetDataBack will open a window where you need to mark the disk or partition to be restored. After this, the application will start scanning and open a tree structure of files and directories in a new window. Viewing and saving are also performed there.

Overall, GetDataBack is very good and does the job well in most cases.

Acronis Recovery Expert - recovering data from a hard drive

Last on the list, but a well-known program, characterized by flexible functionality and high quality search for lost information. However, Acronis Recovery Expert's specialty is the reconstruction of partitions that were lost for one reason or another. If there are no accidentally deleted volumes on your computer, the program will not be able to scan.

The main features of the program include:

• the ability to recover disappeared partitions with any file system and any size;
• the ability to work from a boot disk or floppy disk;
• support for almost all types of hard drives with IDE and SCSI interfaces.

Principle of operation

Unlike other programs, Acronis Recovery Expert tries to recover the entire partition with all data, reading information about it from the MBR and MFT. However, despite the popularity of the program and the manufacturer, it has its pitfalls.

Acronis Recovery Expert works efficiently when the disk space is partially full. If most of the space was occupied, then there is a high probability that the utility will not only not recover, but will also corrupt the data, since it writes information to the same section, thereby increasing the risk of overwriting information.

Interface

A feature of all Acronis products is a clear and intuitive interface. The work can be done automatically or manually. The first one is suitable for beginners. Manual mode provides the user with information about the structure of volumes, as well as the ability to select a search location. After this, the process will begin, which may take several hours.

Recuva includes the following features:

• search for data deleted from the recycle bin, player or flash drive;
• support for all file types;
• support for almost all types of removable media;
• multilingual interface.

For “everyday” data recovery from a hard drive, recuva is ideal.

Losing important files is not a new phenomenon, so it is always recommended to make backup copies of them, as well as keep one, or better yet, several utilities on hand that will help you recover data even if the operating system crashes. It is important to remember that after losing files, you cannot write any information to the disk. The ideal option would be to launch using bootable media.

Here are some tips to help minimize the risk of data loss due to a software glitch:

1. Always keep the disc clean. Don't clutter it with useless data;
2. Clean up temporary files regularly;
3. Defragment and check for errors regularly;
4. There should always be at least 10-15% free space on the media.

Important! After the file is deleted, defragmentation and error checking are strictly prohibited! This may result in complete data loss and impossibility of recovery.