Data recovery software and undelete utilities can seem like the same products to some, but they are world apart as far as capabilities: data recovery software has multiple functions to recover the system from different angles, while the basic undeletes - well - they are mainly designed to get deleted data back, although the detailed descriptions won't tell you that.
Following the price tag
The quick and easy way to differentiate recovery products, without have to learn all the technical stuff, is to research how much they cost. Data recovery software programs that are priced under the sixty-five dollar mark will be an undelete utility - most of the time they are about forty dollars. The better quality recovery utilities can help with more complex data issues so you will find them to be more expensive - about ninety U.S; the more sophisticated programs can run into the hundreds of dollars.
Keep in mind, companies tend to sell each component of their all-in-one special packages, because a lot of people are only looking to use it once - make sure the product you are researching will be able to solve your specific problem.
For the technically-minded...
Knowing the problem can give insight to the solution. For starters here are some background notes:
1. Deleted files are those files you throw away intentionally by dumping them into the Recycle Bin.
2. Lost files could be the result from emptying the computer's trash, a virus, accidentally formatting, a boot or partition problem.
3. Corrupted files contain distorted data when you can open them.
4. Damaged files have altered data, but part of it may be legible. Sounds similar to number three, but in technical terms they are different.
The big difference
Even though both recovery utilities are able to recover data, the one important difference that separates the two: data recovery software can actually repair and rebuild a file system that is not intact so that your data can be recovered - while undelete utilities can't. By the way, an intact file system means all components that "glue" the individual files together has not been damaged. So, for #1, and sometimes #2, you need an undelete. In all other cases data recovery software is the answer.
If these technical terms don't make sense to you, and you don't understand the difference between all of the data recovery tools available on the market, keep the following price rule in mind when choosing the right data recovery utility.
Choosing expert assistance
Well - if disk data recovery software is unable to retrieve your files, you can contact a hard disk data recovery expert to recover the data. It may cost more, but when disk data recovery software can't get back your files, a professional is the last hope.