[DarkCloud]

I was wondering about this for a while, but if you have a CD-RW and do a quick erase on it, is it possible to recover any of the data, even though it wasn't permanently erased?

[jaclaz]

Yes, it is possible.

It is just like a quick format on floppies, or even a format on HD.

The info that is deleted in a format is not the DATA, but the POINTERS to DATA.

By means of specialized programs, or with a lot of time, a disk editor and a pocket calculator, ALL data can be recovered UNLESS it has been overwritten.

IF it HAS been overwritten, it can be recovered, partially or totally, by means of SPECIAL TOOLS, software AND hardware, (ELECTRON MICROSCOPE).

Currently security standards recommend that data should be OVERWRITTEN by a random pattern of 0's and 1's AT LEAST 7 passes, to avoid chances of recovering.

Here is an old, but still interesting artticle about the matter:
http://wipe.sourcefo...secure_del.html

jaclaz

[Astalavista]

what happen u accidently erase something important?

[Drewdatrip]

You can always run a recovery program such as Runtime's GetData Back
Works like a charm most of the time

|Drew|

[DarkCloud]

Astalavista, on Dec 19 2004, 09:24 AM, said:

what happen u accidently erase something important?

Yeah, a while back I had a CD-RW that I erased accidentally, thinking it was a different CD-RW with other data on it. Of course since then I knew there was nothing I could do. I looked everywhere in trying to figure out how to get the data back but never had any luck. Oh well....what can you do?

[jaclaz]

There are LOTS of recovery programs, here are a few.
Don't ever use a single program, always try on more than one burner/reader.
Usually elder/slower drives perform BETTER than new/fast ones in recovering, being it a formatted disc OR a scratched one.

COMMERCIAL ONES:
http://www.cddataguy.../BadCopyPro.htm

http://www.infinadyne.com/ (was Arrowkey)

FIXUDF
http://www.softarch....ucts/index.html

http//www.smart-projects.net/isobuster/

http://www.cdroller.com/

http://www.naltech.com/

FREEWARE:
http://www.e-systems.ro/diskcheck.htm
http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/
http://www.vanheusden.com/recoverdm/ (for Linux)



If you cannot retrieve the data, there are professional services (VERY EXPENSIVE), like this:
http://www.acodisc.com/


Jaclaz