labtech wrote:
"Can MRT extract data if such and such?"
It depends on the exact problem(s).
Not sure of your level of experience, but "extracting data" is a process. Meaning, with a hard drive:
1) We have to address whatever underlying problem(s) it has, such as electronic, mechanical, or firmware issues.
2) Once the drive is stable with user data access, then we clone the data to another drive or image file
3) Then, finally, we extract the files from the clone or image
Now, the 1st step, electronics and mechanical work involve your physical intervention, working with your hands and tools to replace or repair damaged components.
Firmware, on the other hand, is software related, therefore we will need a firmware repair tool, like the firmware component in MRT, DFL, PC3K etc.
Each, MRT, PC3K and DFL, have also a cloning module called "Data Extractor" that is used to clone and then retrieve/extract/recover the files from the clone to a new device.
In my previous reply, I was saying that the Data Extractor module/component on MRT isn't so great. I don't have experience with DFL's Data Extractor, but PC3K's is great.
So, there are many factors affecting a successful recovery in your particular case with the Toshiba drive.
By the way, MRT and DFL aren't much cheaper. They are still fairly expensive. MRT is convenient however that you could pay monthly on a need basis. If you don't use it, you don't have to recharge the account for usage. You do have to pay $400 down-payment to get the hardware if I recall correctly.
Either way, if you don't get a lot of advanced data recovery work, then investment in this equipment isn't really worth it. Can make money from using free tools, however you will only be able to recover the bulk of easy cases, which also requires the same fundamental process: clone and then extract files.
Thank you for taking the time to explain, your reply was very informative and made things clearer. i looked online on different forums and it seems MRT is slightly more powerful than DFL but DFL has better support and easier to learn how to work with. well i have been in contact with both MRT and DFL sales department and both are pretty active and answer questions right away even MRT put more time and effort in answering questions but yet don't know about after sale and tech support.