Your software is good to restore data from any type of storage media but one thing I want to know that does your tool save recorded data to CD or DVD. My friend suggest me utility Remo Recover which can save recorded data to CD or DVD.

Does anyone know of a product that will recognize a usb device that Windows will not put in the "recognized" computer section? I have a disk that has kicked my butt with trying to retrieve its corrupted pics. Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated

Thank you for the giveaway today. Somehow the pictures I took with my phone disappeared and thanks to this program I got them back. Actually, the pictures were still there they just changed into some weird format and I couldn't look at them. But either way, this freebie solved the problem. Thanks GOTD and SoftOrbits.

<b<ALF (or anyone that knows)

What happens differently when formatting a thumb drive using Windows, versus formatting from DOS in Safe Mode?

Does a 'successful' formatting with Windows write zeros as well? And is booting to safe mode and dos the ONLY way to (condition or increase performance) on a flash drive?

Thank you!
Mark

#17
Many thanks! I'll try your kind advice on sunday, because too much to do and at local time not enough concentration left today.

This hardware "write protection" happened when I tried a "fast format" offered by a Chinese tv (ChangHong) as a faster alternative to FAT32 for USB recording. The medium is totally filled with small files of identical size. Windows couldn't copy the contents or erase it. So I allowed Windows to "repair". But I never got rid of this file system and somehow my class 6 SD card in USB reader got permanently "write protected". (And it's not the mechanical SD card write protection a card reader ignores by the way.) No question that I will avoid this file system further on.

downloaded,installed,registered fine.tried to run the program but the window showing drives flashes every couple of seconds, and i am not able to choose or scan any drives.uninstalled and download,install registered again.same problem.will be uninstalling again if i find no solution.

@John K, #13:
I like your way of working better then mine because when it works, I don't know, but you seem to keep your data save, while I have to go into datarecovery with a tool like the GOTD. Thanks for the suggestion, duly noted, I might try this once.

@FrancisBorne, #8: "“low level formatting”"

This is a somewhat outdated term nowadays. It's classical meaning was never intended to be used on Flash-media. It has everything to do with spinning HD-platters and moving read/write heads, which are simply not there in Flash-media (just an electronic chip).

In the early days HD's came without integrated diskcontrollers. Because your disk controller (chip) could differ significantly from the one someone else was using ('speaking' a slightly different dialect about how things are magnetically arranged), it was important to Low Level format your HD before using it. This was done to ensure your typical diskcontroller could handle your HD while using it (the reading and writing was in tune using the diskcontrollers particular "dialect" on the very HD).

Nowadays a diskcontroller is integrated in your HD-module (many don't even know that it's there) and Low level formatting is done while manufacturing the HD for sale. No need to Low Level format a HD yourself anymore. That's why this term gets a little outdated as typical users are not to Low Level format anymore, only the manufacturer does and should.

But a more modern re-use of the term Low Level formatting gets to be popular these days (and more confusing aswell). And now it is mostly connected to flash-media.

Flash media have the weird habbit that it is easier to write something over a "0" then writing somthing over something else. Deleting something on flash-media does not erase any bits, only the index. Areas previously used are still written upon with "old" bits and bytes. For securiity reasons you might not want that (not enabling others using an application like todays GOTD whenever they can work on one of your USB-sticks) or for performance reasons you might like those areas filled with zero's makinig it faster to write there something new again.

Filling previously written areas on flash-media with zero's is called in a more modern way Low Level formatting (but is in no way the same as the classical meaning). While you win in security and performance by doing so, the wear and tear on that flash-media will be significantly increased and shorten its life.

When your sytemdisk is a SSD-drive you want it to be quick and performing. Manytimes TRIM is enabled to write the zero's over deleted areas. But there are standalone tools too to do this with USB-Flash-devices aswell.

Looking into your problem, it looks like you have disconnected (yanked out) your usb-pen while writing was still going on. "USB Savely Remove" does not protect you from the damage you can do with such a course of actions, it only indicates more clearly you should not do such a thing. And of course "USB Savely Remove" provides you more info and handlers to act upon or with.

Manytimes there will be no problem at all, especially when "Optimize for quick removal" is set, but still the risk will not be zero when disconnecting a usb-stick to fast (early).

Many times such a usb-stick will be fubar (@#@$$%@ FU*ki*g Beyond any repair) because it has been physically damaged. The micro-wiring in the chip cannot be repaired. Nothing will help you here.

But when you're lucky (while being so unlucky barring your usb-device) you only suffer a real write-protection block to protect you from further damage.

Try doing the following:

1. Shutdown your computer or laptop
2. Insert USB Memory Stick into your laptop or Computer
3. Turn on laptop and then immediately start pressing (F8) key then Advanced Boot Options screen will come up
4. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
5. After loading files if your USB Memory Stick drive letter is (G) for example then write as
6. C:\windows\system32>G: and press enter
7. G:\>format G: and press enter
8. If ask you (Y/N) then press (Y) and press enter
9. Now formatting will start which removes hopefully write protection from USB Memory Stick (not while physically damaged).

Note:
Before removing USB from your computer, Always remove it safely by right click on USB and click "eject".

THIS WAS COPIED FROM SOMEONE, MAYBE GIOVANNI, BACK IN AUGUST, I THINK.

DATA RECOVERY ALTERNATIVES

Easeus Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition
download.cnet.com/Easeus-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-Edition/3000-2248_4-75184619.html

iCare Data Recovery Free
http://download.cnet.com/iCare-Data-Recovery-Free/3000-2248_4-75628752.html

Pandora Recovery
http://download.cnet.com/Pandora-Recovery/3000-2094_4-10694796.html

MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free Edition
http://download.cnet.com/MiniTool-Power-Data-Recovery-Free-Edition/3000-2094_4-10561431.html

Wise Data Recovery
http://download.cnet.com/Wise-Data-Recovery/3000-2242_4-75715872.html

Undelete 360
http://download.cnet.com/Undelete-360/3000-2094_4-75329667.html

There are also good free all-in-one suites that include an undelete function:

Glary Utilities
I’ll leave it to you to decide whether you want the regular, slim or portable (sorry Giovanni, don’t mean to intrude on your territory ;) version; just visit http://download.cnet.com/windows and type “glary utilities” in the search box!

Advanced SystemCare
http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare/3000-2086_4-10407614.html
(Remember, “Direct Download Link” — and pay attention while installing to prevent toolbars and browser hijack and whatnot!)

Wise Care 365 Free
http://download.cnet.com/Wise-Care-365-Free/3000-18512_4-75744630.html

Toolwiz Care
http://download.cnet.com/Toolwiz-Care/3000-2086_4-75610754.html
(Same caveats as Advanced SystemCare)

Your best bet is to have at least a few undelete programs installed (and at least a couple of the suites, for that matter), because chances are 1-2 programs alone will not be enough to get that deleted file you really REEEEAAAALLY need!

As for today’s offering: You have got to set your product apart from all the others if you want to charge such a high price. Also, the name makes it sound like it’s meant primarily for Windows 7, which is not only several years old, it’s weird to have something so limited.

Windows.

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec
PhotoRec guide
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

Test Disk Bootable CD & Live CD version:
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/DOS_BootDisk
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/Create_a_TestDisk_FreeDos_LiveCD

And to recover any kind of lost file (the only DATA RECOVERY FREEWARE supporting DRAW drives):
http://www.puransoftware.com/File-Recovery.html

Honorable Mention 2
Aidfile Recovery [Aidfile Recovery Free Software]:
http://aidfile.com/

Developer: Mitusoft
Download Size: 4.75MB
Version Reviewed: 3.631
Supported OS: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Server 2008/7/8

I use ZAR (Zero Assumption Recovery) Recovery, a paid product, but it works fantastically on EVERYTHING! However, there is a FREE version:
http://www.z-a-recovery.com/

http://www.z-a-recovery.com/download.htm
ZAR 9.2 ($59.95(US))
General-purpose data recovery for:

formatted drives, both external and internal
"RAW filesystem"
deleted files
the case of MBR damage
broken RAID array
lost digital photos

ALSO: ZMEIL 2.1:
Email messages recovery

Recover deleted email messages
Extract emails from broken message databases

ALSO: Zero Assumption Disk Space Visualizer 1.2
Reclaim disk space:

Create a map representation of the disk space
Spot various crap easily

I lost a drive and was able to recover EVERY FILE, PHOTO, AND DATA that was on it. Yes, it took a day to do it because it was a 2TB drive, but WOW, this software did it all for me.

I got a discount on the software, so search for that on the Internet if you are thinking about buying it.

I purchased mine for $29.00 with a discount coupon.

#11 Somebody.
Thank you so much for the link, I had seen this site but not realised that it also led to a valid serial number.
This is the link to the site:-
http://forum.raymond.cc/threads/abbyy-finereader-5-0-pro-for-free.35458/

• It is necessary to go to the two links provided, the upper “Link” takes you to an area where you must fill out information to obtain the serial number, you also agree to receive information.
• The second link takes you to the download of the OCR program itself, around 130 MB in size.
• The serial number obtained has been tested and found to be valid.
Really appreciate you sharing this link, I'm sure many will appreciate it when they realise what a first-class piece of work this OCR program is in its ease-of-use and accuracy.

#8 - yet if you leave your usb device plugged in and reboot your computer - it will be there. At least it works that way for me.

The other thing you can do - it's a bit of a pain but it works (for me). Through control panel - go to administrative tools - click on computer management - then on storage (in the new window) - then click on disk management in the next new window - you'll get a map of your available storage devices including memory sticks, external drives etc.
Find one without a label - that matches the storage size (8 gb 16 gb, 200 gb or whatever)
Right click on your device of choice, and chose "Change drive letters and paths" from the drop down menu.

That will open a small box - click on the "ADD " tab - another smaller box will open, and give you the potential change. Click on "OK and it will change the path to your USB device to something that can be accessed. Your "Auto-play" window will open and it's smooth sailing from there.
It's a bit of a pain but it works.
If someone else has a better Idea, please share.

Downloaded fine. Activated fine. Trying to run the program I get an error saying GRT Data Recovery has stopped working and Windows is searching for a way to fix the problem. Which it of course doesn't find one. Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit used here. :(

#10 XP-Man "ABBY"

Please search for:
forum.raymond.cc Abby
There you find two links to the French distributors site (reg+download).
For people not speaking French: nom=name, prenom=first name.

Thanks to the information some days ago, I searched myself and happened to leave the relevant tabs open.

Version 5 is very old (2006?) but version 11 (mentioned by the only commentator there) I couldn't find as a giveaway. The above links lead to the distributor's site but I have checked download link by virustotal, too, it's o.k.

As you are well aware Giovanni I often post links to freeware if I think it's good enough.
In fact I been looking everywhere after reading the following comment for this free version.
CharlesG
@#12 Sgo Thanks for this. I googled for ABBY FineReader 5.0 Pro free and found a link that works. They ask for an email address but they don’t use it; they just respond by displaying the serial number on the website. They also offer a “full” installation with dozens of languages if you need more than English.
Maybe he will read today's comments and be kind enough to post the link for us all to share.

Thanks to SoftOrbits + GOTD.
Uninstalled Ver2.0 previously given away by GOTD on 16 Nov 2012.
Installed this Version 2.1.

It is acceptable that the scope of recovery is confined to USB drives and memory cards. No issue with that.
Those who want to recover from hard disk drives can use other software.

I read praises heaped on Recuva in the comments.
I used to think that way too. Until recently, when I used Recuva to try to recover lost images from a friend's badly damaged SD card.

Recuva failed miserably.

Recuva did report the results after scan. But when you check the recovered photos, most were unviewable.
So I gather that Recuva is only good for the most basic and undemanding tasks. Recuva is useless for more difficult recovery tasks.

To save the day, I used another giveaway software, also given away by GOTD. It is called Easy Digital Photo Recovery Ver3.0 by Munsoft. It was given away on 23 Apr 13 by GOTD. This one recovered the photos that Recuva could not. It is obviously a higher level software.

My recovery advices:

- Connect to the fastest card reader or USB3 if possible independantly of which software you intend to try.

- Try every software available to you. It's unpredictable which one gets best results, normally the renowned ones.

- If you want to recover from system partition I wish you a great portion of luck because windows always has to write a lot. Overwritten files are lost and can't be recovered. Therefore it's best to install recovery software before failure!!

- Beware of programs altering the medium to recover because you can't try any other program afterwards. You can use it as last one.

I got lots of recovery programs installed or portable ones till now. Portable ones are best because you can run them from USB sticks etc. even on a friend's computer. And I will never understand why some installed ones wnat to have administrator rights before running.

"Lost(=spilled) media." There is a seemingly related problem that hasn't been solved till now. If you disconnect an USB stick, flash card or any other flash medium without "Safely remove ..." in Windows sometimes this medium seems to be hardware write protected, i.e. without any further use. (You can't remove "write protection" by any windows fumbling . I and others have tried so.)

I tried some programs for "low level formatting" (e.g. HDD Low Level Format Tool 4.30 Portable = HDDLLF.4.30) which should cure it, but always get endlessly write errors. Somebody told that some Canon cams could low level format cards without asking for write protection and thus recover lost medium. Don't know anybody in posession of one of those and therefore couldn't try.

Any advice, perhaps from Soft Orbits Flash Recovery experts? Thanks in advance!

Here the new version of EASY FLASH RECOVERY (for some odd reasons SOFTPEDIA didn't update it in its library):

http://www.easy-flash-recovery.com/flash_recovery.html

See also:
http://www.fast-flash-recovery.com

Yeah, nothing special! I've just tried using an old USB stick of mine and found just a few old deleted pics.

XP MAN is right: iCare Card Recovery Pro is far better but it's also more expensive as well (hey XP MAN, how about try to be more helpful for the GAOTD community, mentioning better or as good as FREE ALTERNATIVES somentimes?).

So for those who don't want to spend any money (I guess the majority here...right? LOL!) my recommendation goes to a free tool called "PURAN FILE RECOVERY", which supports pretty much any kind of storage medium detected by Windows as a drive (Hard Disks, Pen Drives, Memory Cards, Mobile Phones, CDs, DVD etc...).

As part of the award-winning FREE Puran Suite "Puran Utilities", it turned out to be the only FREEWARE out there capable of recovering almost any files previously stored in an USB drive of mine, suddenly turning into RAW format due to a technical hardware failure.

http://www.puransoftware.com/File-Recovery.html

See also:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Easy-Flash-Recovery.shtml
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/Fast-Flash-Recovery.shtml

Have a nice weekend!

Copied & then deleted some jpgs to a flash drive - not found in Flash Recovery, but found in RECUVA.

Recently, after erasing all the videos and GPS log files from my car video camera someone wished to view them.
The SD cards contents had only been erased seconds before so I thought there would be no difficulty in recovering them.
The recovery program I used (iCare) took about 35 minute to examine the card and found all 14 GPS log files and 14 video files.
In the former all the text was readable, in the latter the videos merely produced a black screen.
So I thought I would give today's download a try, the card still not having been used in the camera,
The scan lasted a split-second and found absolutely nothing.
To be fair I tried the original iCare Card Recovery Pro program again just to see if it could still find something and it did.

I will not be keeping today's download.

@Skye-hook, #1 "why is it I have to go find the drive number and write it down, then come back to this and enter it, so it can do it’s duty?"

Well.. eh, you don't. It's rather simple though. When a flash-device is connected to your pc, it will automatically be listed. No need to lookup or enter anything.

When more flash devices are connected, they will all be lsited and you select the one to work with.

Probably you had no flash-device connected, making you think you had to enter somethink. This is FLASH-device recovery ONLY! Most systemdrives will not be listed as they are mostly no flash-devices.

Installed ok on Win 8. Appearance of GUI is basic simple, which could be a good thing, as when you're worried about your PC, simple helps a LOT! BUT.. why is it I have to go find the drive number and write it down, then come back to this and enter it, so it can do it's duty? Seems it is a bit TOO simple. As in Simple Simon. Does NOT give me a feeling of confidence in the whole process! And if I needed to use this, confidence that it won't do more harm than good is extremely important! Looks like early 1990s & gives me the feeling I may get a 90s experience with it. Appearances in this case are not so deceiving. Sorry. Thanks GOTD for the offer. :)