missing photos

[johnson_tracya]

I recently deleted about 60 photos accidently from my SD card. I have taken about 40 pictures on the SD card since. When I ran your recovery program it recovered 49 pictures, the last ones I took before I deleted the card (about 10 pics) and the ones I have taken since. There is therefore about 40-50 pictures still missing. Is there any reason why I can't retrieve the first pictures that I took on the SD card? Is it something to do with the fact that I've taken pictures since the deletion? Hopefully you can help.

Thanks Tracy

[Alexey V. Gubin]

You have overwritten about 40 of the original shots by taking 40 new shots over. Sadly, these overwritten shots are not recoverable. This is how the computer memory works - as soon as space used by the original is claimed by a new shot, the original is gone for good.

[RAYIG]

my first time posting anything on a forum of this type. I hope some one can help me. Here I go. I was doing a system recovery while my external drive was connected to the computer (because Sony failed to tell me to unplug any extra devices that did not ORIGINALLY come with the computer) and in the process formatted my external drive. Mind you I had EVERYTHING on this drive from music, all of my family pictures, important documents and I even BACKED UP computer on this external drive before doing the system recovery. It had everything (sorry if I sound redundant) on it.
When I tried opening my external drive it asked me if I wanted to format it. I said no and closed the device. I then proceeded to do some research on the net on how if possible to recover my pics, music and EVERYTHING. I found one program Recover My Files and used this program. I was not really successful in recovering much. I had a lot of ZIP files MP3s and very little pictures. I also had a lot of FAT partition and NTFS (I think that is what it's called) partition. I have no idea what these files are and if they are of any us to me. I am clueless when it comes to these things. So out of desperation I spoke to Seagate company about recovering my files and they told me it would cost money that I don't have.
Now here is where you come in. The questions I have for you are....

1) Is it ok to use "Zero Assumption Recovery" even though I already used the previous program (Recover My Files) or am I potentially going to loose some files when I use ZAR?
2) Can I use "Zero Assumption Recovery" to recover my things even CORRUPT files (which had a couple of them).
3) Will I be able to identify the files I'm attempting to recover or am I going to see foreign names such as FAT and NTFS Partition.
4) What am I suppose to be looking for (file names) when I do recover files?
5) Does ZAR allow me to try and see if I can succesfully recover anything before I purchase the program?

Basically CAN I A REGULAR person do this and do it successfully. HELP, you are my resort in retrieving my family photos and all. Thank you in advance for everything.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Yes. Furthermore, if ZAR fails, you can try yet another tool on the same drive. ZAR does not modify the damaged drive in any way.
ZAR works to get files off the drive in good condition. If the files came off the disk corrupt, there is nothing you can practucally do to improve the result.
ZAR tries to rebuild the folder tree and file names. Success rate depends on how significant the damage is. For a formatted drive, you probably get an entire directory tree back intact.
I did not really understood the question, eh.
You can recover a small sample (4 fodlers max) to see if the files are coming out correctly. Anyway, if you decide to purchase and then the result is worse (or less) than expected, we will give you a refund - no problem.You should look at this manual - http://www.z-a-recovery.com/unformat-tutorial.htm. We tried hard to make it as simple as possible, and it is well illustrated. Most likely, you will find it quite easy to follow.

[RAYIG]

Ok I did the trial version of you program and was able to retrieve some of the files that I lost. Now if i order this program ONLINE and I recievce the serial number and unlock code can I...
1) use it over and over again and update to the latest version or is this a one time shot?
2) redownload the program on the same computer and use the same unlock and serial number given to me (i ask you this becasue I have to take my computer back to Sony in the next five days for service and they will have to do a system recovery which will wipe everything on my computer including ZAR)
The last question i have for you is the price of the program. Is it really original price of $45 dollars but discounted to $29.95 for the singel user license (ZAR 1) and what do you mean by "singel user locense?" I want to make sure I am downloading and purchasing the right one that is all. Hope to hear form you soon. I really want to buy the right program and get started with recovering my files. Thanks in advance.

In addition, I was reading other peoples posting to get an idea of how this program works. I noticed you kept on reffering to the loglife so I took a look at it and noticed a lot of the files I watned to recover were listed on the loglife. but when i tried to locate them on the list of recoved files on the actual program, they were not listed witht actual name. For example,
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2003-2004\2004 July has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 800 @ 103245360
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2003-2004\2004 December has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1360 @ 103246480
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2005\2005_March has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1536 @ 103246832
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2005\2005_June has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1872 @ 103247504
these are some of the files i am interested in recvoering and appear jsut as you it above on the logfile. But when I search for these exact files on the actual scan, I cannot find them. Are they deleted hence the word empty next to them of are they be listed under 'lost files' and if so how am i suppose to identify them. Basically, how do i know which files are teh ones i want to recove if they are not listed in the original name i saved the but instead are listed under 'lost file.' sorry for the million questions but I just want to get it right. Thanks agian.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I recievce the serial number and unlock code can I...
1) use it over and over again and update to the latest version or is this a one time shot?
2) redownload the program on the same computer and use the same unlock and serial number given to me (i ask you this becasue I have to take my computer back to Sony in the next five days for service and they will have to do a system recovery which will wipe everything on my computer including ZAR)

You can use it over and over again; if you ever lost an installation, you just download whatever current version is and reinstall using the original key.

The last question i have for you is the price of the program. Is it really original price of $45 dollars but discounted to $29.95 for the singel user license (ZAR 1) and what do you mean by "singel user locense?" I

Discount is only effective on weekends, but other than that basically correct. "Single user" means you can only run it on one machine at a time, and you cannot give your key to someone else.


Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2003-2004\2004 July has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 800 @ 103245360
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2003-2004\2004 December has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1360 @ 103246480
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2005\2005_March has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1536 @ 103246832
Object ROOT\LostDirs\Pics from 2005\2005_June has been marked for deletion (empty) FRS 1872 @ 103247504


These files were recovered with a zero size, or had their data damaged to the point nothing can be used. This or other way, they were indentified as "containing nothing useful" and then removed from the set of recovered files.

[RAYIG]

So let me get this straight. If the files contain the wordings ...
"MFT entry with alloc size 69608 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 213BDF84"
AND
"has been marked for deletion (empty)"
that means I cannot recover them RIGHT??????????

How about...
"MFT entry with alloc size 0 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 5FDB0000"
AND
"MFT entry with alloc size 4096 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 213A3684"

What do they mean?
FYI. About 95% of the logfiles says "has been marked for deletion (empty)." Now what? Please tell me their is another option. PLEASE!

Lastly, when I open up the folders from the trial version of the recovery, I see some of my folders under the original file names that I gave them. When I expand those folders, I am able to see the contents and the are the color green. Doesn't that mean I can recover them? Help me understan what is going on.

Just to refresh your memory, I had my external drive hooked up to my computer while performing a system recovery.

HELP!!!!!!!!

[Alexey V. Gubin]

So let me get this straight. If the files contain the wordings ...
"MFT entry with alloc size 69608 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 213BDF84"
AND
"has been marked for deletion (empty)"
that means I cannot recover them RIGHT??????????

The above two are different entries. First (MFT entry with alloc size X) is not about a file. Second (has been marked for deletion) is associated with a file name. First one does not mean anything significant. "marked for deletion" means you cannot recover that specific copy of that particular file.


"MFT entry with alloc size 0 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 5FDB0000"
AND
"MFT entry with alloc size 4096 was encountered during identification; Base record ID 213A3684"

Just disregard these.

About 95% of the logfiles says "has been marked for deletion (empty)." Now what?
You just recover what it can recover and see if you can find the files you need among these actually recovered. If there is a significant number of files missing, then we start looking at the log file. You took it tail first for some reason - you need to perform an actual recovery and worry about actual recovered files, then look at the log and try to interpret it.


Lastly, when I open up the folders from the trial version of the recovery, I see some of my folders under the original file names that I gave them. When I expand those folders, I am able to see the contents and the are the color green. Doesn't that mean I can recover them?

Sure you can.

[RAYIG]

Hey Alexey. This was you last quote form your posting.
"You just recover what it can recover and see if you can find the files you need among these actually recovered. If there is a significant number of files missing, then we start looking at the log file. You took it tail first for some reason - you need to perform an actual recovery and worry about actual recovered files, then look at the log and try to interpret it."


SORRY if I sound to redundant Alexey. Like I said before I just want to do it RIGHT and when you said,
" These files were recovered with a zero size, or had their data damaged to the point nothing can be used. This or other way, they were indentified as "containing nothing useful" and then removed from the set of recovered files,"
I felt I was not going to successfully recover ANY files because as I said before most of the logfiles says "has been marked for deletion (empty)."
Basically, I don't want to purcahse yet another recovery program and not get the results I thought I was going to get. It's not the money but more so the time and disappointment. I feel and am hopful that ZAR can do it. What is you opinion on this? Thanks again and sorry for being a pain!

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I felt I was not going to successfully recover ANY files because as I said before most of the logfiles says "has been marked for deletion (empty)."

The log file mostly records failures and anomalies. It does not record files ZAR processed successfully. It is pretty normal to have "most" of the log file full with a failure indications.

I suggest that you go ahead and order it. If it does not work, we would give you a refund (money back), that's no problem. However, you have to invest your time into it - no way around this. Alternatively, you may zip the log file and email it to me at development@z-a-recovery.com. Probably, I can provide you a better estimate given the entire log file - but still not a perfect estimate.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

There are about 77,000 files total on a volume, as per the log file. Of these, about 10,000 are plain irrecoverable. Of the remaining, I'd expect about 10% to be corrupt beyond recognition, this or that way. So we are left with about 60,000 files which are likely recoverable. Not exactly, but likely. And we do not know which files would turn out good and which would be bad. That's the best figure I can give you.

[RAYIG]

Great. Then I'm going to take the chance and purchase the program with the hopes that out of the 60,000 or so files, I am able to recover at least my family pictures. About five years of family pictures. Wish me luck. Once I purchase the program, do I have to do scan all over again or can I continue from where I left of. And if I have to do the scan all over again, will I get the same results from the first four folders. The results from the trail scan were great and I would like to look into those files. Lately, I know you mentioned that you guys have promotions during the weekend where you discount the price. Am I correct?
By the way I thank you AGAIN for your assistance.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Correct re: discounted price at weekends.
I'd rather rescan from scratch with a full version.

[RAYIG]

Thanks I will do the scan all over again. Any tips when I do the actual scan. For example, I noticed their were duplicates (3 to be exact) of the same files through out the recovery. How can I avoid that. Do you have any tips to maximize my results is greatly appreciated. Thank you Alexey.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Refer here (http://z-a-recovery.com/data-recovery-forum/showthread.php?t=276) about duplicates. Other than that, defaults should be just fine.

[RAYIG]

Hello Alexey. Since our last chat, I've gone ahead and purchased the program. I just finished the complete scan and know how to save the info on my computer.
I have a couple of questions. I just want to make sure I am saving the files I need to. At the same time I want to desregard the ones that I don't need. So my question to you is...
How do I know which files I need to look into and ones I don't need to look in to?
Secondly, after saving the files and looking into it, I know to send the reports to you guys. But can I delete the files I've already looked into and saved so I don't have to mix them up with the ones I havn't saved yet?
Other then that I think I should be ok but I'll be back if something comes to mind. Thanks in advance.

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Typically, you copy everything which looks like you might need it.
These are your files, so really I cannot help you much with determining files you need from files you do not need. However, typical practice is to copy everything that looks at least remotely useful, then sort the copied files out when they are on your good-working drive. Importnat: you do not touch the damaged drive (do not recylce, do not reformat for reuse)before you checked, double checked, and confirmed that you recovered what you need, and these recovered files are actually readable.

[danbevmck@charter.net]

I just got back from a 9 day carribean cruise with my new olympus FE-280 and my 1 GB XD card full of High res. photos. To my surprise and horror, they would not download from the camera or the card reader. All I could get is a message that said clean the card connections. I wiped with the dry cloth, tried alcohol dampened wiping, tried a gentle rub with a pencil eraser, and nothing! I though to call Olympus support before sending the card in as defective, for fear they would just throw it away and send a new one. The customer support people gave me your web site and said customers were getting good results on the recovery of images. Sure enough, It took me most of the morning to retreive 186 photos to the tune of 992 MB. I did see one bad sector at the end of the picture fragments. I could not save the last two photos. Thank you for saving my vacation Photos! I formatted the card and it works fine but I am afraid of it now. I am worried that if I take a lot of pictures again it will lock up and I will be back here to save them.:):):)

[Alexey V. Gubin]

I formatted the card and it works fine but I am afraid of it now. I am worried that if I take a lot of pictures again it will lock up and I will be back here to save them.:):):)

Nothing I can really recommend except for "back up often". In most cases, if the card works well once formatted, the problem does not return. However, the cause is never identified, and we just write it off as "because of ESD shock" (read: electric gremlins). Not quite reassuring, but that's the best I have.