How do you recover data that has been deleted?

[BBCMember]

I have a friend who was trying to copy data from a server on a network to a folder on her local computer. But what she did was, she created a folder on the server instead of her local computer, and copied (actually moved since she was dragging and dropping the folder to be copied into a folder on the same partition of the same hard drive) the data to that folder.

When she did the action to copy/move the folder, it did not say that it was moving anything. So, she deleted the folder that she had created. But what happened was, it was copying it. So, since she actually MOVED the files and didn't copy them, she was deleting the originals. The files are not in the recycle bin (not sure if she checked both recycle bins (server and local computer).

How can she retrieve this data? Is there software she can use after the deed has been done or does she have to bring it to a data recovery place and pay big bucks?

[Midknyte]

deleting files over a network does not put them in a recycle bin. they are gone.

talk to the server admin and restore the data from backups. otherwise, the admin has to run something like undelete on the server. if it's a win2k3 server, he can try restoring the files using volume shadow copy. there's nothing you can do from the workstation.

[BBCMember]

OK. Thanks. Not sure if it is a true server (w/server OS). She just calls it a server because it holds all of her databases and data for her 4 other workstations that are on the network. Think it runs on XP Pro.

She tried Active Undelete, but said that it did not retrieve all of the files. So I suggested she give File Scavenger a try, based on its reviews on download.com.

[Midknyte]

If it's not a server OS, I wouldn't call it a server. It's a workstation. I'm guessing they don't have backups. It's too late for the current situation, but it'll save them grief later.

you can also try restoration:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/restoration.html

[Midknyte]

If you want to pay for something, I'm running Recover My Files. One cool feature is that it runs LIVE off the cd. No need to install. You will need a second hdd, like any other recovery program.

http://recovermyfiles.com/

More recovery app reviews:
http://data-recovery-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[BBCMember]

She has a backup of her main workstation, but not her "mother workstation". She said that it is too much hassle to go out and get a firewire card, or that it would cause more issues with her computer on account of the drivers. She's always having issues with her pc's. I guess she tweaks them too much or something. I suggested that she back up her server on an external each night, and use USB 2.0 if she has to. I also suggested that she backup her database onto CD if it will fit.

[BBCMember]

Cool. Thanks. Why do you need a second HD? Internal or external?

[Midknyte]

depending on how your data was lost, you can't simply recover files from the target drive and replant them on the same drive. it just doesn't work that way. say you formatted a hdd, then you wanted to get the data back. you would definitely need a second drive to dump the data to. download the user guide for whatever recovery software you choose BEFORE you buy it.

I would go with a second internal since it's faster. Try restoration first. if it gets desperate, have the second hdd ready.

so it's not worth the hassle? it's better to be scrambling to recover lost data? what if the data is gone forever? is it still a hassle? sounds like your friend needs a reality check.

These are the top 3 rules for IT management:
1) Backup
2) Backup
3) Backup

Deleting files off a server without a backup is called an R.G.E.; Resume Generating Event.

i would get usb2 for compatibility. in case the system croaks, there is a much high chance that another system will have usb2 versus fw.

Sorry for the lecture, but it's for your own good. ;)

[BBCMember]

LOL. Funny and informative post. Thanks. Good thing she owns the company. ;)