Extracting files from a damaged disc

[haldane4]

Hi

I have a data DVD with some very precious (to me) material on it, I mean really precious stuff that I don't want to lose. I can open the disc, the files are listed, but any attempt to open or copy them fails. The previews don't work either.

Could anyone help me with any tips for retrieving them?

Thanks

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to add that the disc has no scratches; it seems to have been a burning problem when it was created.

[NIN]

It might be worth simply trying it on another computer or drive (if one is available)
I have a very fussy DVD reader on my machine that will only read from certain brands of disc :o

[marty101]

Isobuster might be worth a try. It recovered some of my old files.
www.isobuster.com

The download should be free.
Good fuck.

[haldane4]

Thanks marty101, for the link, I'll give it a try.

NIN, unfortunately I don't have access to another DVD drive; apart from a neighbour's, and I'm not sure he'd thank me for salvaging porn on his machine, if you see what I mean.

[VintageBob]

Some thoughts:

- Clean the surface of the disc again. Some drives are very picky about fingerprints and other dirt.
- As NIN said: If you can manage somehow do try the disc in another drive - if possible in another DVD-writer, these are usually better at reading discs. This usually works wonders if it's not a major defect on the disc.
- In addition to Isobuster recommended above, you could try Unstoppable Copier ( http://www.roadkil.net/program.php?ProgramID=29 ). It doesn't stop at unreadable sectors and grabs all the stuff that is still accessible. If you know your way around Linux, ddrescue is a good option too.

Good luck!

VB

[billybunter]

What has worked for me is recopying the bad disc onto a new one. It works better if you have a double drive.

[NIN]

If it has a slight surface defect (scratch or marking)
Use some Metal Polish ('Brasso' etc) in small circles on the read side only NOT THE LABEL SIDE ;)

BBs tip of re-copying has also worked for me on occasion:thumbsup:

[star78]

Hi,

When you clean a cd/dvd, make movements from center to the edge (never in the same way that the datas are written).

If you have scratchs, you can try to use dry soap to fill the scratches, then clean the disk. (and make a copy as soon as possible)

You can also "sand" the disk with a tool like that : http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Innovations-Doctor-Classic-Manual/dp/B0015ACUKC

Or send it to a compagny that restore hard-drives and DVD !

[haldane4]

Hi all, many thanks for all your suggestions; I have tried the various pieces of software recommended earlier but was unable to copy the files to my hard disk - it looks like the disc drive just doesn't want anything to do with this data-disc, no matter what software I use. Thankfully, I have discovered the files will play in my crappy standalone Silvercrest DVD player, albeit they are a little jerky (the avi files that is). But it gives me some hope I'll rescue them at some point.

I tried making a copy of the disc, bb, with no success. I'm about to try roadkil. If that doesn't work, I think my best bet is to clean the disc using the tips here and then borrow someone's laptop for ten minutes and make a copy using their drive.

[deepsepia]

Hi all, many thanks for all your suggestions; I have tried the various pieces of software recommended earlier but was unable to copy the files to my hard disk - it looks like the disc drive just doesn't want anything to do with this data-disc, no matter what software I use. Thankfully, I have discovered the files will play in my crappy standalone Silvercrest DVD player, albeit they are a little jerky (the avi files that is). But it gives me some hope I'll rescue them at some point.

I tried making a copy of the disc, bb, with no success. I'm about to try roadkil. If that doesn't work, I think my best bet is to clean the disc using the tips here and then borrow someone's laptop for ten minutes and make a copy using their drive.

Sounds very much like you need to give a try on another drive. If its playing in a DVD player, then its reasonably intact.

If the files are critical -- and SFW -- you can go to a data recovery service, they have equipment that's more forgiving of various imperfections, and can pull stuff off very beat up disks.

These services are expensive, but they can recover stuff that's important, if need be . . .

[NIN]

Thanks for the update ;) good to know your precious data is not totally corrupt.

Definitely get yourself a cheap DVD R/W as a second drive or replacement.
It's a pain in the arse for the sake of one disc, but as i referred to in my original post - some read/writers can be pain in the arse when it comes to certain brands of disc.

Then make a back-up copy of it (as BB recommended) :cool::thumbsup:

Slightly off topic addition:

I have a similar problem at the mo, I need to make some space on my HD (just a few Gb left :eek:) and the brands of DVD that i have are not being recognised by my drive.
..but being a lazy sod, I haven't got round to swapping the drive from my old machine yet :o
:rolleyes: talk about not taking your own medicine :(

[hos]

for backups i would rather recommend an external usb hd-drive (only if you have usb 2.0 or better) or an eSATA-Drive. they don't cost much more than the same amount of dvds, backing up and restoring is faster (and more flexible) and finally a HD has a longer lifetime.