Help Desk Resources & Links - this is an evolving repository

We want to continuously build on this resource, and you can help - please feel free to send us info on any link or document which you feel has a place here. Thank you.


Data Recovery Specialists(hard disk damage)

  1. Drive Savers - a company committed exclusively to data recovery
  2. IntelliRecovery Inc - Provides Global data recovery services for hard disk & hard drive recovery for any operating system. Authorized by all major hard drive manufacturers. Class 100 Clean room.
  3. Vital Data Recovery - Data recovery and file repair services for the entire Canadian region.
  4. Flashback Data - Headquartered in Austin, TX, Flashback Data is an industry leader in data recovery, computer forensics, and other data services. We provide advanced data services to businesses and individuals who have experienced data loss and other data disasters.
  5. Operating system prompts to initialize hard drive?  The hard drive could be damaged and if your files are important go to ADRC for recovery.
  6. OnTrack data recovery
  7. DataRec
  8. Recall U.S.A. recovery and forensic technology is used by support and call centers as well as data recovery providers world-wide
  9. ESS Data Recovery, Inc. has been removing barriers in the data recovery and computer forensics market ever since its inception
  10. Nucleus Technologies.com offers a complete range of data recovery software and utilities for Windows, Linux, Unix, Novell Netware, Apple Macintosh operating system and supports various file systems including FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5, Ext2, Ext3, ReiserFS, NWFS, Net386, NSS, HFS, HFS+, UFS, FFS, VxFS, EAFS, HTFS etc. The Hard Drive Data Recovery Software offered by Nucleus Technologies ensures safe and precise data recovery against numerous threats like accidental file deletion and disk formatting, partition related problems, virus or trojan problems, software malfunction, employee sabotage etc.

Some Initial Recovery Tips.....

Safe Solutions for Common Problems
Don't let a minor problem turn into major data loss. If you have NOT experienced any of the extreme situations listed on our Disaster Recovery page, follow our expert advice to safely and quickly get your drive up and running again.

Warning: If your hard drive emits unusual noises (clicking, grinding or metal scraping), turn it off immediately! This symptom typically indicates a head crash that can destroy your data. Hard drives spin with extreme speed - from 7,200 to 15,000 revolutions per minute - therefore extensive damage can occur in a short period of time. Contact DriveSavers immediately, as this situation demands professional recovery in a Cleanroom environment.

Tips on Using Disk Utility Programs
While most disk utilities provide excellent preventative maintenance by fixing minor problems, they can render data unrecoverable in the event of extreme corruption. Follow these tips to help ensure your drive and data safety.
1. Always Save an "Undo" File

Save an "undo" file, a record of the changes the utility has made to your drive, in the event it does not correct your problem. By sending this file along with your drive to us, you help ensure recovery of your data.
Do NOT use a utility program if it does not allow you to save an "undo" file of the repairs it makes. 2. Strange Noises? Avoid Utilities!

If your drive sounds or acts erratically in any way, DO NOT USE UTILITY SOFTWARE.

Damaging sounds include clicking, buzzing or scraping.

Back up your data immediately (if you are already booted up).

Shut down the computer to avoid further damage to the drive and its data.

Send your drive to a professional data recovery service who utilize Cleanroom environments.

3. Windows NT/2000, UNIX and NetWare Require Professional Expertise

Because of the broad range of circumstances and potential hazards when using utility software with these complex operating systems, we recommend contacting us for professional recovery advice.


File Recovery & Manipulation Software Tools

As to recovering deleted files try one of the following programs:

PC INSPECTOR - FREE TOOLS
  • http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm
    File Recovery is a data recovery program that supports the FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems. The current version 3.x replaces the previous version 2.x, which is now over 6 years old.

    Restoration
  • http://hccweb1.bai.ne.jp/~hcj58401/REST2514.EXE
    For 9x/NT/2K/XP. Restore deleted files that are no longer in the Recycle Bin!

    Tool to check and undelete partition
    Works with the following partitions:
    - FAT12 FAT16 FAT32
    - Linux
    - Linux SWAP (version 1 and 2)
    - NTFS (Windows NT)
    - BeFS (BeOS)
    - UFS (BSD)
    - Netware
    - RaiserFS
  • http://www.cgsecurity.org//testdisk.html

    NOT FREE

    EasyRecovery DataRecovery is a simple, yet powerful tool that recovers data that is lost, inaccessible or deleted. It's the ultimate do-it-yourself solution for nearly all causes of data loss (except physical hardware or system problems) where your hard drive and system are fully functional.
  • http://www.ontrack.com/easyrecoverydatarecovery/

    File Rescue 2.5
  • Web:http://www.file-rescue.com/

    GetDataBack for FAT
    GetDataBack will help you retrieve your files if the hard drive's partition table, boot record, FAT, or root directory have been damaged by a virus, formatting, fdisk or power failure. GetDataBack can even recover your data when the drive is no longer recognized by Windows.

    GetDataBack for NTFS
    Recover your files when the data is no longer accessible due to formatting, fdisk, virus attack, power or software failure. Get everything back even when the drive's partition table, boot record, Master File Table or root directory is lost or corrupt.
    Hard Drives
    Partitions
    Floppy Drives
    Drive Images
    Zip/Jaz Drives
  • http://www.runtime.org/

    Norton Utilities/SystemWorks
    The Norton Protected Recycle Bin helps you recover deleted and overwritten files.
    The UnErase wizard helps you retrieve files you've accidentally deleted.
  • http://www.symantec.com/nu/nu_9x/features.html

    For NTFS
  • http://www.restorer2000.com/r2k.htm

    Data Recovery
  • http://www.dtidata.com/
    Fast File Undelete
  • http://www.dtidata.com/products_ff_undelete.asp

    Undelete
  • http://www.quantumsoft.co.uk/undelete.stm

    File Recover 2000
  • http://www.filerecover.com/

    R-Tools
  • http://www.r-tt.com/

    File Restore
    If you've deleted your data and you want to get it back, you need FileRestore.
    FileRestore is a simple, easy-to-use tool for recovering files that have been lost or deleted from your Windows system. Designed for Windows XP, 2000, NT, Me, and 9x
  • http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/filerestore.asp

    Disk Commander
    In virtually any situation where you need to recover lost data from a Windows system, Disk Commander is the solution. Disk Commander performs a wide range of data recovery operations.
  • http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/diskcommander.asp

    DFSee
  • http://www.dfsee.com/
    As a tool to 'UNDELETE' files that have been accidentaly deleted.
    This feature is implemented for HPFS and NTFS only.

    MRECOVER
  • http://kristenonline.com/lain/cih/mrecintro.htm

    Emergency Undelete
    I believe this is free
    For Win2000 and NT may work on XP
  • http://www.c2000.com/software/#win2000

    Back2Life
  • http://www.simtel.net/pub/pd/57588.html

    Hard Drive Mechanic
  • http://www.highergroundsoftware.com/6.html
    It's true. Even if you just re-formatted your entire hard drive, you can still get all of your data back because, unlike what most people believe, formatting does NOT erase your files! With Hard Drive Mechanic's Unformat Feature, you can restore all of your valuable data in about 10 minutes!
    demo version:
  • http://www.highergroundsoftware.com/downloads2.htm

    Filerecovery for Windows
  • http://www.lc-tech.com/filerecovery.asp
    Filerecovery for Windows® is a safe and affordable do-it-yourself data recovery solution that is designed to recover deleted files from all types of media such as Hard Drives, Floppy Drives, SmartMedia, CompactFlash, Memory Sticks, and other types of removable media.

    Undelete
  • http://www.executive.com/consumer/undelete/undelete.asp
    You know how upsetting it is to accidentally delete a file that you need—it takes just a moment to lose hours of work. Undelete file-recovery utility captures ALL deleted files including those that typically bypass the Recycle Bin. You can even recover files you purged from our Recovery Bin. With our Emergency Undelete feature, you can recover files deleted prior to Undelete being installed on your system (provided they have not been written over). Buy Undelete and you'll never again be at the mercy of lost data.

    Fast File Recovery
  • http://savemyfiles.com/fastfile.htm
    A definite must for the PC guru! It will allow the user to perform all data recovery tasks associated with disks which are not physically damaged.


    File Scavenge
  • http://www.quetek.com/prod01.htm
    File Scavenge is the most comprehensive, award-winning file undelete and data recovery for NTFS volumes on Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

    Active UNERASER
  • http://www.uneraser.com/undelete.htm
    Active UNERASER is a compact and powerful undelete utility that can recover deleted files and folders on FAT12, FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS systems. It can even restore files from deleted and re-formatted partitions.

    Undelete 3.0
  • http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/productdetail.asp?product_id=309884
    Undelete 3.0 restores accidentally deleted files within seconds from anywhere on your system. Version 3.0 includes new SecureDelete, full Windows XP support and expanded search options.

    FinalData Data Recovery
  • http://www.finaldata.com/
    FinalData Data Recovery Solution will recover files that have been lost by   quick formatting, FDISK, FAT damage, MBR damage or directory   destruction. It recovers data from FAT12/16/32, NTFS, and EXT2, EXT3.

    BadCopy Pro
  • http://www.jufsoft.com/badcopy/
    BadCopy Pro is a leading data recovery tool for floppy disk, CD-ROM, CD-R/W and other storage media. It can effectively recover and rescue corrupted or lost data from damaged, unreadable or defective disks. Various damage situations and all file types are supported.

    Directory Snoop
  • http://www.briggsoft.com/dsnoop.htm
    Directory Snoop is a low-level forensic utility that can recover erased files in an emergency, wipe sensitive data, and search for hidden data at the cluster level. Step through your File Allocation Table (FAT) and map individual clusters back to the file that owns them. Purge orphaned (and possibly sensitive) file names right out of the directory structure. $29 shareware for Windows 95 through XP (NTFS drives not supported).

    Kernel
  • http://www.nucleustechnologies.com/
    Nucleus Technologies.com offers a complete range of data recovery software and utilities for Windows, Linux, Unix, Novell Netware, Apple Macintosh operating system and supports various file systems including FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5, Ext2, Ext3, ReiserFS, NWFS, Net386, NSS, HFS, HFS+, UFS, FFS, VxFS, EAFS, HTFS etc. The Hard Drive Data Recovery Software offered by Nucleus Technologies ensures safe and precise data recovery against numerous threats like accidental file deletion and disk formatting, partition related problems, virus or trojan problems, software malfunction, employee sabotage etc.
    Our Data Recovery Software developers and experienced data recovery technicians worked together to simulate all the situations and causes of data loss. We have developed QFSCI (Quick File System Component Identification) Technology, which ensures the faster recovery of all the possible recoverable data. This is the prime reason why our software are being used by most of the professional data recovery companies and corporates. The Kernel range of data recovery software has been developed in such a way that the user need not to have any technical knowledge to recover the lost data and files.