Often we have to deal with cases where accidental OS is reinstalled on a data volume overwritting previous file system.
Carving is the only solution.
While R-studio is best among all I used , I am still interested to know any other alternate software. I have tested many tools including winhex but found they don't perform like advertised ,even forensic tools don't work well.
What is your experience , can you pls suggest any more reliable alternate

PhotoRec is often suggested in cases where you'd actually better use other software IMHO, but if it was determined carving is last remaining option it's probably one of the better tools. PhotoRec's rules are often more advanced than what you find in R-Studio, DMDE etc..

If you're looking for specific file types then you should mention this as specialized carvers may exist for those file types.



Whether carving actually is the only solution depends on actual situation. For example, I have seen NTFS volume where good portion of the (fragmented) $MFT was beyond the area that was overwritten. Surviving data referenced from this portion of $MFT can be recovered with filename and even if fragmented which by definition is superior to carving which will lose filename and will not be able to handle the file fragmentation. A tool like DMDE allows for using specific chunks of $MFT.

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Joep - http://www.disktuna.com - video & photo repair & recovery service

Thank you so much. Frankly I was not aware of PhotoRec . Thanks for the suggestion to try fragmented $MFT. This requires in depth knowledge of file system and metadata. But with very limited knowledge I will try DMDE .I have pro version license so can get support from developer as well.
Thanks again.

DMDE will require full scan. Click All found / Virtual file system > Advanced > Volume FS fragments. A freshly formatted volume will often have no more than two fragments, so any excess fragments (with large LBA start number) are probably remnants of previous file system. Folders may be recoverable to a degree as well.

Some swear by GetDataBack for this type of scenario where NTFS was original file system which would offer more automatic recovery. My personal favorite for more automated recovery would be Zero Assumption Recovery (ZAR), preferably an older 32 bit version.

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Joep - http://www.disktuna.com - video & photo repair & recovery service

If you need to locate a particular file type that is not recognised by your preferred tool, then PhotoRec's database may help to customise your tool.

https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/File_Formats_Recovered_By_PhotoRec

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Thanks a lot fzabkar. This GNU GPL tool has more comprehensive database of headers than even commercial tools .

Despite having pro.version for several years ,I was not aware of this special fragmented recovery location. Thanks a lot.