TestDisk and PhotoRec User Reviews
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"Worked perfectly for me"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.13
Pros
TestDisk and Photo Recovery recovered all of my 1000-odd accidentally deleted photos, each over 5MB in size.
Cons
I was awfully nervous when confronted with a DOS-like window and almost went crazy trying to find out WHERE the tool saved the recovered photos (finally found them in the same folder as the application).
Summary
I tried several other free photo recovery tools that came highly recommended, but they did not work for me. TestDrive did - and what a relief it was! The application did take a few hours to complete the task, but then I did have a thousand of very big photos!
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"Tried it - doesn't help repair un-partitioned HD"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.13
Pros
I guess it works in other situations besides mine.
Cons
It took about 2-3 days for my old XP to 'deep search' external hard drive with Test Disk and it said the structure was 'OK', didn't detect any problems. However, I still can't access my external hard drive on my Windows 7 laptop or old XP. External hard drive is NOT partitioned, and is 'primary bootable' and there were no tutorials on Test Disk website that helped me figure out how to repair the hard drive problems. I was hoping this program would help, but I guess it only helps in 'some' situations.
Summary
It's okay, but doesn't help with my particular situation. I know my external hard drive is okay, structure is healthy, but I still can't access it through Windows 7 or XP and was forced to buy a USB to IDE adapter on Ebay so I can directly access the external hard drive while bypassing Windows and the BIOS. I'm hoping that works, because so far, I haven't been able to find ANY fixes for this very common problem.
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"Awesomely wicked piece of software!!"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.13
Pros
Took a trip to Berlin and when I tried to copy my files from my SD card the pics were not readable by my mac. Preview was showing the files as 'greyed out' images. Put the SD back in my camera and they were there but they were grainy and corrupt. Downloaded PhotoRec and ALL of my pics were recovered! Picture quality was returned, all files were accessible. AND the software is Free! (but I gave a donation...totally deserving of it!)
Cons
NONE! It works!
Summary
Absolutely required for anyone that is an avid photo-taker! Keep this nifty piece of software on hand because you never know when the SD card is going to quit working for you.
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"It works as advertised."
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.13
Pros
Gets what was lost, back.
Cons
Old style interface.
Summary
I recovered a series of images from an SD card that had picked up a virus in Thailand. The card just couldn't be read. I tried various recovery programs, but this is the only one that worked. My thanks to the software team.
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"Does what it promises, even if it doesn't look pretty"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.12
Pros
Impressed that this software recovered photos when several other programs have not been able to do so. The memory card had been corrupted at some point, and it appeared there was nothing on it. PhotoRec found the photos that were supposed to be there
Cons
The user interface nonexistent. I do not use command line but I was able to follow instructions. Actually this guide to using on a Mac was helpful: http://www.pearsonfaces.com/fpsurgeon/2007/05/data-recovery-with-free-photorec-in-os.html
Summary
Try the software even if you might be a little uneasy about using command line. It's really only a few steps and worth it to get your photos back.
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"Recovered deleted memory card!!!!!"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.12
Pros
Recovers all of deleted data ( scandisk micro card from my camera)
Must be fairly easy to use... I did it...lolCons
DOS command prompt a bit daunting--- also remeber it recovers EVERYTHING that you have ever deleted. So keep that in mind if there are things you don't want others to see....lol
Summary
I awoke last week to an empty phone.EVERYTHING was gone from my phone memory and also from the card.( I have since learned that this phone is prone to resetting itself) I was literally in tears as I had movies and photos of my mom , who is now terminally ill.
My neice told me about this and that she thought it would work on my memory card.At that point I was willing to try anything, and keeping in mind that my computer knowledge is mostly from college homework, ebay and netflix, I was amazed that I was able to do it.
I read it all very carefully, and was able to recover ALL of my memory card. It puts it all neatly in a seperate file on the desk top.
It is in command prompt, looks a bit like an old Atari game, just READ everthing before you do anything.
All I can say is THANK YOU ,,,,THANK YOU......... -
"TestDisk WORKS !!!"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.12
Pros
1. It's FREE
2. It's Works
3. It's FREE
4. It's Thorough
5. It's FREECons
DOS style interface is a little odd. Just take your time and READ THE ENTIRE SCREEN before you push any buttons
Summary
TestDisk is FREE and it WORKS
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"Best data recovery software ever!!!"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.12
Pros
I tried over 10 different well reviewed types of data recovery software. None of them could recover the video from my accidentally reformatted SD card. This was the ONLY software that worked to recover my video. I am so grateful to the developer!!
Cons
DOS interface. But, not very difficult to figure out... it's well worth the effort to recover your precious memories!
Summary
I tried software after software and NOTHING else worked but this for my reformatted disc. You may be able to recover deleted photos or videos with other programs, but not reformats. Everyone told me it was hopeless. So glad I found this software!!
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"Recovery from drive other programs cant detect"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.12
Pros
Able to recover from a xD memory card, which a dozen other programs (including ones recommended by cnet) either said the card had invalid file system/partition or just did not give an option to recover from the card.
Cons
The program is very technical, minimum explanation (need to know technical information to understand the program) and a dos like user interface (program runs in command prompt)
Summary
I had a xD memory card that had gotten corrupted and I needed to recover the pictures from it. Every other program I tried either said that the file system/partition was not valid or just did not give me the option to recover from the card. I had first tried a few different ways of recovering the partition using testdisk_win but the program was unable to detect my partition so I then tried photorec_win which seems to have recovered all the pictures and videos on the card!
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"Professional level recovery - for free"
Version: TestDisk and PhotoRec 6.10
Pros
Recovers anything that can be recovered: files, partitions, sectors, etc. If it cannot recover it, nothing else probably can, at any price. You may need to learn some basics to use it, but it is well worth it. Awesome!!!
Cons
The interface may not be obvious to the users of "point and click" generation. It is not that hard, and not a real con, once you understand the basics. In fact, it is actually an advantage in the end as it makes the progam lighter.
Summary
Use it. It is extremely stable. i was able to recover stuff that nothing else could. Learn the interface and it will become a breeze. Just don't do stuff you do not understand.. search for documentation first! This is extremely powerful software that does not require a degree. Just some patience, and common sense. If your partition / files/ pictures are there, this WILL recover it, if you use it right.
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