UFS Explorer software news

Software update: version 5.2 released

2012-02-29T12:39:00.000+02:00

SysDev Laboratories introduces the next regular update to UFS Explorer software family: the software version 5.2. This is the free update for users of version 5 software and is recommended for installation. Users of previous software versions (4 and below) may move to version 5.2 of the software according to terms and conditions of UFS Explorer software upgrade policy. The software is available for download from download section of UFS Explorer web site.

What's new in this update

The update introduces new features and resolutions for several usability issues. The new functions include:

Sun ZFS file system recovery (Professional Recovery edition).

In addition to ZFS file system access support, new version 5.2 of UFS Explorer Professional Recovery introduces support of data recovery from ZFS file system. The software now allows to find, open or scan ZFS volumes and recover files after data loss or file system damage. The software analyses file system for file system modification transactions and snapshots. This allows to build file system modifications history and thus allow to recover lost files from previous file system states. Because of large amount of metadata, it’s recommended to use 64bit software edition for ZFS recovery.

The software is limited to support of simple ZPOOL volumes and does not support RAID-Z configurations.

Better NTFS recovery (Recovery editions)

The software now better detects Master File Table metadata file truncation that guarantees better data recovery rate with short scan and more accurate file system reconstruction with long (sector-by-sector) scan.

Better FAT32 recovery (Recovery editions)

The software now supports deleted files recovery after cluster number truncation that ensures accurate deleted files recovery in this situation. Merging IntelliRAW scan stage into main scan stage significantly reduces data recovery scan time.

Offline network shares (All editions)

The “File open” and “File save” dialogs under Windows OS now also display “offline” network shared folders (disconnected persistent network shares). The software supports restoration of this kind of network connections. On demand it prompts for network username and password. This feature allows to restore network connection transparently when shared folder is connected under unprivileged user account context and requested by privileged user account under Windows Vista or Windows 7 with enabled UAC.

How to recover lost data from Linux operating system

2012-02-21T09:43:00.000+02:00

Linux operating systems supporta wide range of file systems that include Ext2/Ext3/Ext4,XFS ReiserFS, JFS (JFS2). These file systems differ in theirstructures and performance parameters which influence possibility andquality of data recovery.

Successof data recovery is also affected by the following factors:

the time your PC operates after the data loss. The less your computer works after the incident the highest chances for successful data recovery you have.
partition fragmentation degree. The higher the partition fragmentation degree is, the more difficult it'll be to recover a file completely.

Datarecovery from a storage with physicaldamagesmay cause permanent data loss. In this case we recommend that you notrecover lost data by yourself and rather take the hard drive to aspecialized data recovery center.

Instructions:

As soon as you discovered loss of your data you should stop all read/write operations to the partition of the hard drive or the storage you're going to recover your data from. Read/write operations include programs installation, copying, saving and download from Internet. Note that start of certain already installed programs may also cause writing to the disk if these programs use the disk to save their settings or other files such as cash browser, media players play lists, games savings etc.
You should immediately unmount the partition or folder with lost data. This precaution will let you avoid possible overwriting of lost information.
Draw up a list of lost files you're going to recover. Note major file descriptions (name, type, size, last saved time). Even if recovery of file name wouldn't be successful such kind of information will help you find necessary file.
Select the partition where you'll conduct recovery of lost information from. This should be intact partition where no data disappeared.
Download UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Linux and install it to the partition you selected for recovery operations.
Start the software with superuser rights required to get access to disks.
Please read the manual carefully.
Copy recovered files to another partition or storage or network disk.

Hint: Ifyour data are lost from a root directory we recommend that you useEmergencyRecovery CDtoensure safe and secure data recovery environment.

Warning:Neverwrite, install or copy anything to the partition or storage where thedata loss occurred. Otherwise, you may cause overwriting andpermanent loss of important information.

How to recover lost data from Windows operating system

2012-02-17T09:32:00.002+02:00

If you noticed loss ofimportant files from your Windows operating system don't give up.Your files may still be recoverable. Following our recommendationstry to recover them by yourself.

Data recovery operation fromFAT or NTFS is notthat hard to carry out. However, before you start recovery you shouldconsider some facts:

If your files were lost from a system partition, we recommend that you recover your data using Emergency Recovery CD.

Data recovery from a storage with physical damages may cause permanent data loss. In this case we recommend that you not recover lost data by yourself and rather take the hard drive to a specialized data recovery center.
The less time your computer works after data loss the highest chances for successful data recovery you have.

To recover lost data fromWindows FAT and NTFS file systems we recommend that you apply UFSExplorer Standard Recovery as the most comprehensive solution.

Instructions:

As soon as you discovered loss of your data you should stop all read/write operations to the partition of the hard drive or the storage you're going to recover your data from. Read/write operations include programs installation, copying, saving and download from Internet. Note that start of certain already installed programs may also cause writing to the disk if these programs use the disk to save their settings or other files such as web browser cache, media players play lists, games savings etc.
Select the partition where you'll conduct recovery of lost information. Draw up the list of lost files you're going to recover. Note major file descriptions (name, type, size, last saved time). Even if recovery of file name wouldn't be successful such kind of information will help you find necessary file.
Download UFS Explorer Standard Recovery and install it to the intact partition where no data disappeared.
Start the software with Administrator rights required to get access to disks. Please read the manual carefully.
Select the partition you're going to recover data from and start the scan.
Copy recovered files to another partition or storage. Copying recovered files to the same partition where they were recovered from may cause their permanent loss.

Hint:No software can guarantee 100% successful recovery of lost anddeleted files. You can ensure safety and intactness of your filesthrough timely backups only.

Warning:Never write, install or copy anything to the partition or storagewhere the data loss occurred. Otherwise, you may cause overwritingand permanent loss of important information.

Data recovery from RAID systems

2012-02-15T14:00:00.001+02:00

Nowadays, RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is widely usedby home users for their personal computers as a method to speed-up,extend or add redundancy to the main disk storage. RAID-systems aresupported today not only by expensive specialized controllers ofcorporate servers, but also as part of a disk controller oninexpensive motherboards.

Quite stable cost-efficient solutions like Intel ICHxx-R southbridgechips allow to easily deploy a RAID system on a PC. Unfortunately,even the best RAID systems don't feature ever-lasting performance andcan fail any time due to many factors, e.g. software or hardwarefailures. Choosing a reliable data recovery software with toolsspecially designed for data recovery from complex RAID-systems yousubstantially increase the chances to get your data back in fullscale. Our products can help you recover data from RAID systems, evenif RAID failure caused file system damage.

Non-redundantsystems

The term RAID defining (RAID level 0, Stripe) or JBOD (Just a BunchOf Disks, Span) is quite incorrect . These RAID systems have thefollowing practical uses:

JBOD - extended storage consisting of several disks, even ofdifferent size. Each component of JBOD follows the previous one toprovide monolithic storage with the size equal to the sum ofcomponent sizes. JBOD is supported by most hardware and software RAIDchips (e.g. Dynamic Disks under Windows can span among differentdisks or disk partitions).

RAID0 - stripe set on disks of equal size. The data on RAID0 aredivided into 'stripes' of equal size and cyclically distributed amongall disks. Such 'stripe' size is usually from 512 bytes and up to256KB. The purpose of data striping is to distribute a long datafragment among all disks that allows to issue data exchange requeststo all drives and at the same time substantially speed-up thisoperation with parallel read or write. RAID0 systems are the fastestand they use the whole disk space.

Perspectives of data recovery from these systems are obvious: even ifone disk drive from RAID0 could not be read data from this componentcould not be recovered. If such failure occurs on JBOD entirefragment of span could not be recovered anymore. For RAID0 this willaffect all data on RAID (e.g. if RAID0 is built on 4 disks withstripe size 16KB, after failure of one disk RAID will have 16KB'hole' followed by 48KB block. In general, this would mean any filewith size over 48KB cannot be recovered).

If one or more disks from RAID0 or JBOD failed stop using the diskimmediately and take it to a data recovery laboratory. Only physicaldrive repair could help recover the data!

In case of a system failure not related to disks (e.g. reset ofcontroller settings, controller failure or damage etc.) it's possibleto recover data even in case of file system logical damage. The onlything you need is to virtually assemble the original monolithicstorage with data recovery software. For this you need to specify thedisks included into RAID, drive order and stripe size for RAID0. Datarecovery software will read data from components in the same mannerRAID controller does and it will be able to access good files onvirtually reconstructed RAID.

Mirrors

Typical 'mirror' implementation is called RAID1. Each component ofRAID1 contains the same data, thus information could be recoveredfrom any good RAID component. For RAID1 controller can performparallel reading to speed-up files read access. This kind of storagehas the highest level of redundancy and the best perspectives of datarecovery.

Data recovery with an efficient data recovery software doesn'trequire any other actions except direct reading of one RAIDcomponent.

Advancedredundant systems

These systems are a compromise between high speed of storage access,storage size and redundancy. Usually they apply the idea of stripingfrom RAID0 but on-disk data is extended with an extra information(parity information) that adds redundancy and facilitates datarecovery or even continues RAID operations even after componentfailure.

Advanced redundant systems include RAID3, RAID4 or RAID7 (stripe setwith dedicated parity), RAID5 (stripe set with distributed parity)and RAID6 (stripe set with double distributed parity). 'Single'parity means that data can be recovered from RAID or RAID system canoperate after failure of single component; 'double' parity – afterfailure of up to two components.

RAID3 and the similar systems use classic RAID0, extended with onemore disk to store parity. RAID5 and RAID6 distribute parity amongall disks to speed-up parity update process for data writeoperations.

Data can be recovered from advanced redundant systems if RAID-systemshas all disks working, as well as if one (for RAID3, RAID4, RAID5,RAID7) or up to two (for RAID6) components could not be read. If moredisks failed stop using the disk(s) immediately and take it to a datarecovery laboratory. Only physical drive repair could help recoveryour data!

If data recovery is possible without drive repair assemble your RAIDwith a data recovery software by specifying drives (includingplaceholders for a missing drive), drives' order, stripe size andparity distribution algorithm. The data recovery software will readdata from components in the same manner as RAID controller does, thusit'll manage access to good files on virtually reconstructed RAID.

Hybridsystems

Vendors often use RAID-on-RAID configurations to improve performance,add redundancy and increase failure resistance. Generally, suchsystems are combinations of non-redundant RAID systems, 'mirrors' andadvanced redundant systems. RAID10 is the most typical system of thegroup, it employs several 'mirrors' with 'stripe' over them. Heremirrors ensure redundancy and stripe over mirrors adds read/writespeed. Data recovery from this system is not a complicated task: takeany good component from each mirror and virtually build RAID0 overit.

More advanced hybrid systems include RAID50 (stripe over RAID5),RAID51 (mirror of RAID5) etc. In order to reconstruct RAID 51 youneed to build each RAID5 component, and for RAID50 - build RAID0 overa set of RAID5.

Efficient data recovery software will help you reconstruct a complexRAID-system of any level and will increase chances to recover yourdata.

Running UFS Explorer under FreeBSD

2012-02-07T11:09:00.000+02:00

There are special edition of UFS Explorer software designed to run under FreeBSD OS and its clones (such as PC BSD OS). The software is binary compatible with latest production versions of 7.4, 8.2 and 9.0 and there are native binary builds for x86 (i386) and x86_64 (amd64) processor architectures.

The possible issue of running UFS Explorer under different FreeBSD versions and editions could be "libz" shared library used to supply standard compression algorithms. Because different versions and editions of FreeBSD may supply different versions of "libz" (named "/lib/libz.so.4" in FreeBSD 7.4, "/lib/libz.so.5" in FreeBSD 8.2 etc.) there are possible compatibility issues: the software is bound to "/lib/libz.so.5".

In case you have problems of running UFS Explorer under FreeBSD and reported error is missing dependency of "libz.so.5", the recommended workaround is to supply your currently installed version of "libz" as a source for "libz.so.5". The following steps should be applied:
1) Check for currently installed version of libz.so:
# ls /lib | grep libz.so
The example output:
libz.so.4
2) Check for links to libz.so and make sure no link yet created for "libz.so.5":
# ls /usr/lib | grep libz.so
The example output:
libz.so
3) Create symbolic link in "/usr/lib" folder to your currently installed libz.so (e.g. "libz.so.4" as per example at step 1):
# ln -s /lib/libz.so.4 /usr/lib/libz.so.5

The steps above should resolve "libz" compatibility issue; this verification is also implemented in the software installer script and works automatically on software installation.

Please let us know if there are other compatibility issues for BSD software edition.

In case you are interested in UFS Explorer other than Standard Recovery software edition for BSD operating system, please contact us: other software editions can be supplied on demand.

Software update: version 5.1 released

2012-02-01T12:35:00.001+02:00

SysDev Laboratories introduces the next regular update to UFS Explorer software family: the software version 5.1. This is the free update for users of version 5 software and is recommended for installation. Users of previous software versions (4 and below) may move to version 5.1 of the software according to terms and conditions of UFS Explorer software upgrade policy. The software is available for download from download section of UFS Explorer web site.

What's new in this update
The update includes implementation of new file system, data recovery and data access algorithms enhancements, user interface tweaking. Among key modifications are:

Support of ExFAT file system. The file system was introduced by Microsoft Corporation as an alternative for older FAT and FAT32 file systems. It pushes most limitations of these file systems and could be used for flash/SSD storages of larger capacity and to store large files. UFS Explorer software now implements files access for data stored on ExFAT on all OS platforms as well as supports damaged ExFAT volumes reconstruction and deleted files recovery. Raise Data Recovery for FAT now includes support of ExFAT file system. In UFS Explorer Professional Recovery implemented full support of ExFAT file system, including metadata structures navigation and analysis.
Better support for Sun (Oracle) ZFS file system. Now software supports both x86 and Sun-SPARC variations of ZFS, as well as mixed file system format. The software still not supports ZFS file systems created on RAID-Z pools.
Better support of VMFS file system, including support of newer VMFS5 in UFS Explorer Professional Recovery. The software includes metadata analysis and file fragments navigation (including allocation analysis for virtual disks).
User interface enhancements, including explanation of scan stages in Professional Recovery and scan optimization for larger file systems with more files.

Please post your feature requests or problem reports to UFS Explorer support team through SysDev Laboratories general contact form.

Mobile devices: data recovery specifics

2012-02-01T11:21:00.004+02:00

Computing power of modern mobile phones and PDA often allows them toreplace classic computers or laptops in such situations whenyou're on a holiday or business trip or just on the way.That's why these devices often serve to store some important personalor business information.

Being frequently exploited these devices are highly exposed tofailures and data loss that may occur at any time. Fortunately, datarecovery from mobile devices is possible. Moreover, computing powerof PDA or mobile phones could be targeted at recovery of lostinformation from photo cameras and other compatible digital devices.The only thing you need is to download a proper data recoverysoftware to your mobile phone or PDA and start recovery.

Mobilerecovery specifics

Derived from embedded or desktop Windows CE OS, Windows Mobileprovides device vendors with full-featured OS to run variousapplications on compact devices. Compatibility of Windows Mobile APIwith desktop Windows OS allows third-party vendors to create manyapplications for this OS. That's why Windows-Mobile-based compactdevices now can contain much personal and business information:photos, documents, presentations, email databases etc.

Perspectives to recover lost information from this kind of devicesdepend much on architecture of a modern device. The most widely usedconfiguration is small amount of 'main storage' and larger 'externalstorage' that uses embedded flash memory or removable flash memorycards.

Such 'external storage' is a physical flash chip or a flash card thatpermanently stores electronic information. This storage logicallyworks exactly like a flash stick, connected to a computer and storesfiles to real file system (usually FAT or FAT32). Data recovery fromthis kind of storage is obvious and works exactly like on personalcomputers using specialized data recovery software.

In contrast to 'external storage', the 'main storage' is a virtualfile system, emulated by special driver. This file system doesn'tactually exist and is built on-the-fly by the driver from in-memoryobjects, stored in RAM and ROM. RAM is a volatile storage sensitiveto power. That's why low-level power failure or 'could reboot' causespermanent data loss without any recovery perspectives. Moreover, evenfile deletion in the main memory causes RAM region to be released andthis part of the file system cannot be emulated anymore.

Regarding data recovery on Windows Mobile devices, we can tell aboutgood data recovery perspectives from flash storage. Our specializedsoftware is adopted to run directly on Windows Mobile devices andprovide device owner with data recovery functions even on trip, farfrom a desktop computer. Moreover, having photo camera or otherdigital device with compatible flash card, you may easily insert itto Windows Mobile-based phone or PDA and recover lost photos andother files.

However, primary concern remains data recovery from the 'mainstorage' that usually stores SMS, e-mail and other important files.We continue our work on the device analysis to provide our customerswith a software solution that could help resolve this kind of dataloss problem.

How to recover data after OS failure using Emergency Recovery CD

2012-01-30T14:19:00.001+02:00

Theinstructions provided below will help you recover lost data from adamaged and re-formatted operating system and accidentally deletedfiles from a system partition.

Failures ofan operating system can be caused by several factors:

virus attacks;
damage of OS boot sector;
accidental deletion of system files;
logical damages of a file system;
physical damages (where the best solution would be to take the device to a data recovery service center in order not to aggravate data loss).

In mostcases the operating system can be repaired through re-installationonly. But before you start system re-installation you should bear inmind that chances to recover important files after installation of anew operating system will be close to zero. Until then you can stilltry to recover your files.

Instructions:

Download UFS Explorer Backup and Emergency Recovery CD. The disk image contains full-featured Linux operating system and pre-installed UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Linux that provide safe environment for data recovery.
Burn the downloaded disk image to a disk. For example, from Windows operating system you can burn .iso file to a CD with the following utilities ISO Recorder and InfraRecorder; from Linux via a command line or GUI CD/DVD Creator; from Mac OS — Disk Utility.
Boot the operating system from Emergency Recovery CD. To do this insert Live CD into CD/DVD drive and choose 'boot from CD' in BIOS settings of your PC (for detailed information read the motherboard manual).
At the next PC start there must be a notification about booting from CD, otherwise booting from CD won't start. Please, wait until Linux graphical shell boots.
Start UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Linux with superuser rights. You will find application start shortcut, user manual and other useful files on the desktop.
Carefully read user manual. Recovering your data follow the instructions.
To save recovered files you'll need an external storage, because in the process of recovery the data are copied to 'local file system' (RAM-disk). Otherwise, all the data will be lost after reset. You can copy recovered files to an external USB drive as well. To do this click 'Places', select folder 'Connected Media' and then a folder of the required storage.

Hint: Copying files ofa large size (more than 2GB) to an external USB flash drive may causesome difficulties, because FAT file systems that are generallyused on such storages are limited to saving files with maximum sizeof 2GB. This problem can be resolved formatting the USB flash drivewith NTFS (Windows file system) or Ext 3 file system'native' for Linux. You can format the storage in Ubuntu Linuxenvironment booted with Live CD. To do this select Administrationin menu System and then Partition Editor. Theapplication Gparted will start where in the right corner youcan select the external storage you want to format.

Warning:Please beware: make sure you've selected the right storage forformatting, check if it contains important information because allthe information will be lost after formatting.

Running UFS Explorer under Linux

2011-12-31T17:57:00.001+02:00

In order to access physical drives, software must be started with 'root' privileges. There are several methods to run the software using Windows Manager or command line. In order to run, UFS Explorer software requires running X Window system with any desktop window manager, including simple XDM.

If you are logged in as limited user, to run the software with access to local physical drives, you have to elevate software privileges. You may do this using:

gksu GNOME utility (when available);
kdesu KDE utility (when available);
su or sudo command line utility.

In case user has no rights use 'switch user' you have to either re-login under different user account or grant 'su' right to the user. More information is available in the documentation for your Linux distribution.

If you are logged in as a root, no elevation is required and you may run UFS Explorer software directly (including using of desktop manager applications menu).

The software is installed by default into /usr/bin/ folder and thus should be available for invoking without full path specification (available in "${PATH}").

The application names for UFS Explroer editions are:

ufsxsci - Standard Recovery edition;
ufsxrci - RAID Recovery edition;
ufsxpci - Professional Recovery edition.

To run the software from command line, type application executable name e.g.:
#> ufsxsci

If elevation is required, run it with elevation:
$> su root -c ufsxsci
or
$> sudo ufsxsci

If nothing happens

First make sure there are no error messages or incorrect syntax reports. If no error is reported and application does not appear, please make sure of the following:

Connected hard drives have good data connection and no bad blocks - this causes long delay on program start.
OS has no pending states such as pending update installations etc. - it's recommended to restart your system before you continue software using.

New web site

2011-12-31T17:29:00.002+02:00

The UFS Explorer web site had been reworked introducing new web pages structure and new design. Some elements were removed, merged or modified so it's recommended to update any stored permanent links to our web site.

Version 5 update

2011-12-31T17:24:00.000+02:00

SysDev Laboratories introduces update to entire products line of UFS Explorer data recovery system utilities. The new version 5 of cross-platform UFS Explorer software features comprehensive and most up to date tool set for lost and deleted data recovery. It suits best for both individuals and experts in data recovery.
The most current tools allow to recover accidentally deleted files, recover data after file system damage, caused by software or hardware malfunction, computer viruses, power outages etc.

The software supports most popular file systems (including FAT, NTFS, UFS/UFS2,XFS, Ext2/3/4, ReiserFS, HFS/HFS+,JFS/JFS2, NWFS/NSS, VMFS, ZFS etc.) and different kinds of physical storage media (including hard disks, flash drives, memory cards, disk images, virtual disks).

All UFS Explorer software features unique data recovery technologies that include complete and partial meta data analysis, fuzzy-logic for missing meta data reconstruction and IntelliRAW™ technology used to find good files even when all file system meta data is destroyed.

With new products line there are introduced four major data recovery software editions:

Standard Recovery - the mass data recovery product supporting all the key data recovery functions.
RAID Recovery - the extended edition of Standard Recovery software, specially adopted for RAID recovery operations.
Raise Data Recovery - the inexpensive alternative for Standard Recovery software for one-time data recovery, supporting only single file system per software edition.
Professional Recovery - professional oriented data recovery software - the comprehensive tool for data recovery, data damage diagnostics and file recovery.

The data access software edition is represented by UFS Explorer Standard Access software.

More information about new software editions, detailed product features comparison and product functions can be found on the software web site.