| Recovering Data from DVDs |
Reasons for Data Loss from DVDs
The data present in the DVDs may be corrupted due to a variety of reasons such as viruses or the data may have been burned improperly onto the DVDs.
Excessive number of rewrites onto a DVD may lessen its data retention capacity.
The DVD may get damaged physically and either of its surfaces might have been scratched.
Exposure of the DVD to extreme conditions such as high temperature may cause data loss.
How to Recover Data from DVDs?
Depending on the problem with the DVD in question, different means can be adopted to recover data from it. Thus, you can send the DVD to a data recovery agency to recover data for you or you can make use of a data recovery software.
In case the scratches present on the lower surface of your DVD are making the data present on it inaccessible, then this can be corrected by using scratch removal products that are available in your local DVD shops. This process usually involves two steps viz. filling the gaps and then, sealing the lower surface of the DVD. If this process is carried out correctly, the data present on the DVD may be accessible once again.
On the other hand, if deep scratches are present on the upper surface of the DVD, then recovery of data is not possible as the data is burned on that layer itself.
If the damage is in the form of data corruption i.e. logical damage, then making use of data recovery software can prove to be useful. This software is user-friendly and can be used by inexperienced users as well. Much software of this type is available on the internet. However, not all of the software are of good quality and hence, one needs to make one’s choice wisely. Here are a few tips that will help you in the process.
What to Look out for in a Data Recovery Software for DVDs
The first thing to be seen in case of such software is whether it is compatible with different types of DVDs and different types of data that may have been stored on it. For example, the software should work with the normal DVDs and also the ones that have been formatted with drag and drop data options.
The DVDs that are used in digital or video cameras or in the music system store data in a different way. Hence, one should ensure that the software can recover these types of data as well. The same applies to zipped files that may have been stored on a DVD.
It is possible that the files on the DVD have been stored in several different stages. In such cases, some software may only recover the data that has been stored in the most recent stage. Such software should be avoided.
Sometimes, the file system of the DVD may have been damaged. Thus, the data is still present on the disks but, it is in the raw form. The data recovery software should be able to recover such raw data and regroup it into the original files as far as possible.
A built-in UDF (Universal Disk Format) reader should be present in the software.
Some quality data recovery software are able to retrieve data from DVDs that have been scratched to some extent. Such software is preferable over others.
Finally, the data recovery software should be easy to use even when it contains a wide array of features. Thus, it can be used by the home users as well who do not have much knowledge about computers. This can be tested by making use of the trial versions of the software that may be available on its website.
Thus, on the whole, quality DVD data recovery software come in handy for recovery of data from damaged DVDs, but it may not always recover the data successfully. Thus, it is better to handle your DVDs with care by making use of the jewel cases that are provided with them for their storage. This will reduce the risk of scratches on its surface etc.
Also, it is better to make use of DVDs to store data that need not be rewritten frequently, for example movies, videos, backup of past records of the transactions of your firm etc. This will ensure that the DVDs have a longer lifespan.
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk
Article Source: UnArchived Articles
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