My Experience with Data Recovery: A Thank You to the Community
Losing important data can be a distressing experience, especially when backups fail or become inaccessible unexpectedly. Recently, I faced such a situation when one of my USB drives suddenly stopped functioning. Reflecting on this ordeal, I want to share my experience and extend gratitude to the helpful community I found here, which provided invaluable guidance.
The Background
My data backup strategy involved multiple layers: I stored critical files on a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device and kept two additional USB drives as portable backups. I believed this multi-tiered approach would safeguard my data effectively. However, the NAS, which contained cherished family photos, apparently experienced an unnoticed failure—partly because it isn’t accessed frequently. Fortunately, I caught the USB drives—my secondary backups—before they too succumbed to the same fate.
The Incident
The trouble began when I noticed that one of my USB drives was no longer accessible. I encountered error messages along the lines of, “I:/ is not accessible” or “The directory is inaccessible.” To troubleshoot, I initially turned to basic recovery software, including popular free tools like Recuva. Unfortunately, these attempts failed to recover filenames or directories adequately, and some crucial files—like MP3s—could not be fully restored.
Given the importance of these files, I searched online for alternative solutions and came across a dedicated community discussing free and paid recovery tools. Notably, I learned the importance of creating a forensic clone of the affected drive before attempting recovery—an essential step to prevent further data loss.
Exploring Recovery Options
Following community advice, I created an ISO image of my USB drive as a precaution. I also received a free key for RescuePRO—a data recovery software—shared generously within the community. Despite this, RescuePRO struggled with filename recovery and couldn’t fully restore certain files, which was disappointing.
My breakthrough came when I discovered DMDE (DM disk editor and data recovery software), recommended in the community for its powerful features and affordability. After downloading DMDE and running a scan on the cloned image, I was thrilled to see my files listed clearly—without corruption—and the ability to recover the entire root directory freely.
The Outcome
I opted to purchase a perpetual license for DMDE at approximately $45, considering it the most cost-effective professional solution. With the software’s help, I successfully recovered my files, including some I had long considered lost or time-consuming to
Share this content:
