Getting TestDisk

While it is a Linux utility, you don’t actually have to have Linux installed to use it. There are several live CDs you can use to run TestDisk, and a full list can be found here.

If you’re not familiar with Linux or live CDs, don’t let that put you off. Many of the systems in the link above are very user-friendly and require no special knowledge. You download the .iso file, which can range from a few MB to a few GB and use your favorite burning software to burn it to CD/DVD. Make sure you select the Burn Image/Burn ISO or similar sounding option, as it will not be bootable if simply dropped onto the CD as an ordinary file. When complete, reboot your PC with the CD in the drive and your live Linux should start up.

If you’re already running Linux, TestDisk is likely available in your distribution’s online repositories. Ubuntu users, for example, can fetch it with

sudo apt-get install testdisk

or use the Ubuntu Software Center.

Normal Scan

When you launch TestDisk, you’ll be asked a question about how to handle log files. As this is the first time we’re launching it, we just need to create a new one.

That’s not a bad screenshot, the program really is that odd grey color.

Once the program has detected your drives, you’ll be given the option to select which of them needs the recovery. This list also includes external media such as USB hard drives, so be certain you’re selecting the right device. Additionally, the size value must be accurate if you want a proper recovery. Anything else indicates a problem detecting the drive and will result in a recovery failure.

After that you’ll select the type. Changes are, you want the first option, Intel. Anything else and you’d probably know it.

Now, you choose the action you want to perform. For a normal recovery attempt, just choose Analyse. We’ll cover the other options in a moment.

Hopefully, TestDisk will find your lost partition(s) and give you the option to write the recovered data to disk. If not, you may be in for a deeper scan. This will search your drive cylinder-by-cylinder in an attempt to find the lost data. If you’ve gotta do a deep scan, get yourself come coffee and a magazine. It’ll take a while.

Additional Options

If you had chosen Advanced instead of Analyse in the menu shown above, you’d have some other very handy options at your disposal.

Boot will make an attempt at recovering the boot sector of the selected partition. Image will let you create a image file from the selected partition, and other partition types can have several other options depending on their type.

Most of TestDisk’s other options, such as Geometry and MBR Code, can be potentially hazardous to your system if used improperly. Unless you know precisely what you’re doing, it’s recommended that you avoid these sections.

Conclusion

Since the first time I ever used it, I knew TestDisk would make its way into my top recovery tools, right along with Clonezilla and Super Grub Disk. In my experience, it has actually outperformed a few of the paid recovery tools I’ve used in my years as a PC tech. After all, it’s a nearly-universal, full featured, highly effective data recovery program that can be run from a live CD – for free. What’s not to love?

Recuva allows you to selectively search for specific files such as pictures, music, videos, and documents or you can search for any deleted files if you are looking for something outside of a specific niche.  This handy walkthrough will show you just how easy it is!

To get started, download the installation file from the Recuva site and use the wizard to guide you through the installation.  The only change that I would suggest would be to uncheck Install Yahoo Toolbar when presented with the option.

Once installed, launch Recuva and select continue if prompted by Vista’s UAC security warning.  This product uses a very easy to follow wizard to help you recover those lost files quickly and easily.

As you can see, Recuva gives you the ability to specialize your search, so that your file is more likely to be recovered quickly.  Once you get to the end of the wizard, you are given the option to do a deep scan.  It’s not recommended on your first pass, but if you have trouble recovering a file you can try the deep scan to improve your results.

After you click Start, Recuva will begin scanning your drive(s) for deleted files.  A progress bar allows you to see how far along the scan is at any given moment.  Once that scan is complete, you will be presented with a listing of files that can be recovered.  I chose to recover a picture, so in my example I am offered thumbnails to make finding my file easier.

All that’s left is to place a checkmark in the checkbox under your file, then click the Recover button in the lower right-corner of the window.  A dialog box will appear asking where you would like to save the recovered files to.  It is highly recommended to select a drive that is different than the drive containing your files.

After one last prompt that tells you the recovery time, your files are in your selected location and ready for use.

This tool is a great asset to have on hand and it could certainly be a life saver one day.  I look forward to the next great product from Piriform to see just how much easier computer management can get.