Computer Data Recovery

We all store lots of data in CDs and DVDs – files, pictures, audio files, movie files and a lot more. Though CD and DVD are stable storage media, still they can get corrupted at any moment. You need high quality recovery software to get back your valued files in case they are on the verge of getting lost forever.

Data recovery software first scans the disk sectors quickly. It then recovers the affected files and copies back the correct data into your hard drive as best as it can. Such tools can recover corrupted digital multimedia files, MPEG, AVI, MP3, JPEG, DOC, TXT and many other files that are commonly used.

Good recovery software can restore data from a variety of optical disks like CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW. These tools are compatible with ISO9660 and UDF file systems.   

Before exploring a couple of such tools, let us learn why a CD or a DVD can get corrupted. Corruption of files and subsequent data loss can arise due to the following:

• Physical tampering
• Scratching
• Accidental or malicious formatting
• Software corruption
• Data being overwritten
• Wrong CD/DVD writing standard usage

Let us know learn about two popular CD/DVD data recovery tools.

IsoBuster 2.4   

IsoBuster 2.4 is a highly popular CD and DVD data recovery tool. It is compatible with the Windows operating system. This recovery software can restore data from a variety of CDs and DVD types.

This affordable tool is the only one of its kind that you need to invest in to get rid of unwanted data corruption hazards. IsoBuster has been designed to recover lost data from all classes of optical media. Operating IsoBuster is not complex at all. First, you need to start up the software. Second, you need to insert a disc. Third, select a hard drive of your choice. You will see IsoBuster mounting the media. In a Windows Explorer-like fashion, IsoBuster displays all tracks and media along with the files contained in them. You can get a complete picture of all data that are inside the corrupted disc, even if your operating system is unable to display them.

Apart from these basic attributes, IsoBuster has certain enhanced features also. It has a superior read and recovery mechanism. You can expect to recover the bulk portion of your data, if not all. It can address a wide range of drive and software bugs that cause file corruption in optical drives. Most importantly, its price has been kept low intentionally so that all classes of PC users can have the benefits.  

IsoBuster conducts all the operation on its own without relying on Windows in any way. It is
self-sufficient in its functional domain. The CD, DVD data recovery software is highly robust and can handle errors comfortably. Several “retry” facilities ensure better chance of data recovery. The tool uses the concept of primary and secondary file systems. This helps to recover data overlooked by your operating system. After data recovery, CDs stay readable. IsoBuster keeps track of all sessions in the optical medium’s history and can recover data from all sessions, including the older ones. It can recover lost data from both UDF and ISO9660 file systems. It can also scan lost, deleted and discarded FAT files. Apart from a whole host of utility features, the software is user friendly too. You get language support for over forty languages. You just need to download the .dll file compatible to your language. IsoBuster  is thoroughly tested so that you can use it under Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, 2003, XP and Vista (Home – Ultimate) systems.

CDRoller

CDRoller is another popular and effective DVD and CD data recovery software that can retrieve data by its “drag and drop” feature. Like IsoBuster, CDRoller can also recover movies, photos and a lot of other types of files directly into your hard drive. It can write data to a variety of hard drives along with camcorders manufactured by Hitachi, Canon, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony.  The in-built video-splitter feature can split the restored VOB or VRO file into multiple clips. These individual clips are later assembled into MPEG files and saved without loss of quality. If you want, you can save the restored data into a DVD instead of your hard drive as well.  CDRoller can restore files that have been deleted accidentally from your CD or DVD. It can retrieve data from multiple sessions, including the older ones. Another interesting feature of CDRoller is that it contains an in-built CD/DVD data burning utility.

You need not look for third party data burning software if you want to burn the newly recovered data into a fresh CD or DVD.  

Apart from your data recovery needs, CD Roller can erase data from re-writable CD and DVD. It can display media content sector by sector in binary, hexadecimal and Unicode formats. The features of this data recovery tool can be highly helpful in engineering and forensic investigation purposes.

CDRoller is compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista Operating systems. It requires at least 256 MB RAM, 12 MB disk space for installation requirements, and additional space to store recovered data.