Missing directory…
When your system writes to a disk, it writes the data into the first unused location it finds. When the file has been copied completely, the system stores the locations where the data has been written. What you seem to have is a disk where the data is intact, but it’s unusable because the map indicating its locations has been overwritten. When you access a file, your system reads the locations indicated by the map, but since it’s the wrong map, you get the wrong data.
You need the proper map to recover your data. You have some alternatives.
Data recovery centres may be able to re-construct the original map. Disk heads don’t always position with total accuracy. There may be enough ‘slop’ that your new directory hasn’t overwritten your original completely, and with specialised equipment, what’s peeking around the edges could be read; thus saving your files. Another technique can involve uncovering ‘latent’ data by analysing the magnetic ‘overtones’ in your existing data. File shredding programs overwrite data many, many, many times to counter these recovery measures. If you didn’t shred the disk, it may be read. If the data’s value merits the expense, I’d seek professional assistance.
Packages such as Norton Utilities include low-level disk editors. With these programs, you can locate and piece together the data on your disk. Remember, the data’s still there, it’s that your system doesn’t know where to look to find it. This may be the easiest route if you have one or two files containing data that you recognise. The Norton editor comes with a reasonably good guide. I haven’t tried any others.
Zip disks use some special tricks to achieve high storage capacity. Check with the manufacturer in case they have some suggestions.
Programs such as ScanDisk and ChkDsk determine that every data location marked as used has a directory entry pointing to it. If it finds orphaned locations, it will fix the disk by assembling these lost clusters into files. In your case, there’s a considerable possibility that the new directory structure doesn’t fit the old data and ScanDisk or ChkDsk will find several problems. It would be best if you didn’t attempt to repair your disk with these programs. If you do, it will result in another write to your directory area, further destroying your much needed original directory.
I wish I could be more encouraging.
Cheers, PW. |
