How Data Recovery works?

[donny]

Lately I was checking DR services on the Internet and most of them said the data were always 100% recovered. My question is, all the data when retrieved will be all in the same place, folder the way it was before? Like if a backup have been made? Or it will be all out of order, disorganized, files there others here, not in their proper folders, etc? If so I'd have no interest...

[Doomer]

It all depends on the case
First of all nobody can recover 100% all the time
But in most cases DR companies can recover 100% of data and deliver it to you exactly the way it was (all the folder structures, file names, time stamps, etc)
In some cases DR company could do a forensic image of the recovered media, which is exact binary copy and even the tiny hidden details will be preserved (most people don't need that)

In some cases only partial data can be retrieved, results of those cases depend greatly on location of the damage on original media. Sometimes it is not possible to restore folder structures and file names and recovered file names may not look familiar to the client at all but the content is. Usually client is warned about such cases, some companies require approval from the client to even proceed with such recovery, because as you noted not many people would be interested in that kind of results. Such recoveries usually accepted if there are pictures to be recovered

[donny]

Thank you for the info, much appreciated! This was irking me for some time already.
I hope all the DR companies worldwide would work exactly the way you described. It wouldn't make sense forcibly extracting the files from the HD, what would I do with an software file like a .dll? If I have no idea from which program it belongs...

In my country most of the technicians, computer stores even data recovery companies
didn't even know it was possible to make a donor match PCB compatible with a HD by firmware transfer or main chip swap, now image about DR stuff, I'm afraid.

I even thought about resorting to recovery companies data in US, UK, send my HD to HDDGuru's users that works with it (PcImage), etc, they seem to know much more about it, but I don't know if they accept HD's from other countries...

[labtech]

Not to change your mind in any way about sending the media to the United States, Europe or else, but if you want something closer that is highly recommended then you can check these guys out:
http://www.datarecover.com.br/

[HaQue]

I hope all the DR companies worldwide would work exactly the way you described.

I wished all services work as they advertise or promise. sadly this is not the world we live in.

It wouldn't make sense forcibly extracting the files from the HD, what would I do with an software file like a .dll? If I have no idea from which program it belongs...

What you would do is put the recovered data in a safe place. Rebuild your system, installing any software from source media, internet download of software, etc. Then you take your DATA(DATA is not software) and put it back where it belongs or is useful. If, and only if, you found missing .dll's or other things then you have them backed up. I would not use software recovered from a failure as a first option.

In my country most of the technicians, computer stores even data recovery companies
didn't even know it was possible to make a donor match PCB compatible with a HD by firmware transfer or main chip swap, now image about DR stuff, I'm afraid.

Same here. Just because a company offers data recovery, doesnt make them a Data Recovery company. I would submit that a high 90's percent would do typical "free software" recovery such as ddrescue, recuva etc, not even splashing for a copy of GDB. Then either lie to the customer that it is unrecoverable "we have tried everything"... or outsource it.[/quote]

I even thought about resorting to recovery companies data in US, UK, send my HD to HDDGuru's users that works with it (PcImage), etc, they seem to know much more about it, but I don't know if they accept HD's from other countries...

I would outsource to a number of people on this forum with confidence.

The biggest mistake in DR is made initially by the poor soul that has the problem. Knee-jerk reactions, following tutorials they don't understand, listening to their local computer shop (not all are bad though), listening to a mate that knows alot, following windows messages, trying stupid things like putting in a freezer, taking the cover off, hitting on the table - these all have their (small) place but should be left to the step before the bin)

The happiest people in DR are the ones that get their data back, and the price is VERY soon forgotten.

[digitalferret]

Haque, absolutely mate. nailed.

i think the implication with DLLs tho may have been that you get your recovered data back as one HUGE folder with all the OS gear in there too with your Docs, pics etc and leave it to you to sort the ensuing sh*t out.

i have actually seen this before as a "my mate recovered all this for me, can you sort it" job.

Thinks early days Photorec with all options set, 500files per dir.

Fries my noodle some of the "recovery/repairs" i've seen.

I heard one guy sent a drive on having cleaned the platters with brasso.
Have actually SEEN a guy do that to old vinyl records, combo of Duraglit and Brasso.
Why not try some wet-n-dry for good measure >.<

Can't begin to imagine the angst that longtime posters in here have had to deal with.

Kern