Data Recovery Techniques & Limitations -By Pushkar Sinha

Once disaster strikes it may be presumed that data has been lost forever, whether it is a result of software error, or user error, this can be calamitous. When such a disaster appears, what can be done? Many users accept that their files are gone forever and faces all subsequent losses. However, this is not necessarily the way it has to be. Even when any OS does not have a practicable solution for the recovery of lost data.

Any data recovery software is designed for the recovery of lost data. Please note, however, that it may not be possible to restore all lost data. If the areas where the lost data is stored has already overwritten by new data, the restoration of data with any Data Recovery Software is not possible. If some areas have been partly overwritten, some files may be incomplete possibly leading to errors after restoration.

Unfortunately, not all files can be recovered without error. For example, the highly fragmented files can be very difficult, if not impossible, to recover.

For e.g. in case of deleted file recovery in Linux, recovery of files with names is not possible because the names & other important attributes are completely wiped off when a file is deleted, unlike FAT or NTFS file system.

Signature of a plain text file is not possible to determine, when we are finding the files using signature search. This may be applicable to some other file types who do not attest a unique file signature.

Do's and Don't after data loss

· If possible, do not save anymore data onto the system after the data in question have been deleted / lost.

· Close all applications without saving any data to the disk or other data storage media (if possible).

· Switch off the computer.

· Think patiently about how data has lost. Try not to panic and quickly restore the data in question. Adventurous behavior can lead to even more data loss.

· If the data were really lost or deleted then it is advised to use Data Recovery software to restore them, by attaching the drive to the machine where Data Recovery software is installed.

With my experience in this field I have tested some of services and software's offered by some of the global leaders in this field.

Member of file system reverse engineering group, experienced on different storage techniques, file systems and lot of data recovery applications.

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