How to look up particular file names using DMDE?
How to look up particular file names using DMDE?
Hi!
I don’t have personal experience with the recovery software DMDE, but I can try to help based on what you described. You mentioned trying to search for specific file names and finding them online didn’t work well. It sounds like you’re looking for files named things like CutieAnimal or similar across many folders. If you’re having trouble locating them in the HDD, it might be due to how the program searches or where the files are stored. I’m not sure if a guide exists for this exact search function, but I can suggest checking different search options within the software or looking for community forums that discuss DMDE searches. Let me know if you’d like more tips!
Based on the extent of the issue, using WinDirStat can help identify file types across the drive quickly. It provides a visual map of all files once scanning is complete, and highlights their locations with colored blocks. This method avoids unnecessary attention to individual HDD files, allowing you to recover everything and transfer it to a reliable second drive. Once secured, you can proceed with targeted searches. Avoid attempting repairs on damaged drives, as this may permanently destroy them. If recovery is still necessary, consider professional data recovery services.
Yeah, actually I should have mentioned that the HDD is functioning properly, but it doesn’t display any files or folders when connected via SATA-USB. However, during scanning it appears to list many folders exactly as they would in an OS—like my documents, pictures, and folders named appropriately with full metadata and correct file names. I managed to recover most of what I needed, but I keep missing the files I was expecting. There are some folders and files that look like they’ve been scattered everywhere, even though their metadata and names remain intact. I’ve found random images placed inside other folders, all with names like 2 or 3 letters, which is strange since I was very strict about folder organization.
The setup seems to involve a DMDE that created folders during recovery, possibly due to file structure issues or corruption. If your data is on a solid drive, using WinDirStat can help organize the files more effectively. This approach works better than searching for individual files, particularly when the operating system hasn't indexed them properly.
Sata to sata, isn't that similar to connecting an HDD as a "slave"? Or is there a chance I'm misinterpreting? You can connect sata to sata without opening the whole PC case, just the PC's interior (not the HDD itself, haha?).
The DMDE seemed a bit unclear about how it handled the HDD. My issue is that I don't remember the full history of this HDD. It might have been split many times or altered in some way, which could explain why I see references to user1, user2, user3, etc. (WinXP). I'm certain it was all admin users and they existed together, so maybe I reinstalled or reorganized it a while back, messing things up.
Anyway, I wanted to mention that the DMDE search tool performed better when I searched for example *.txt files instead of more specific names like cutieanimals.txt or just cutieanimals. I'll try adjusting my approach from there.
About 17 years ago I experienced some HDD problems. At that time, I saved certain files on CDs, including chat logs with a friend. The specific CD containing those logs was damaged during the writing process, making the data unrecoverable. I discovered an old HDD in a closet that I recalled using at the same period, thinking perhaps I could salvage something from it. Although the chat logs were missing, while looking for them and browsing, I stumbled upon some documents my friend had sent me (stories or whatever). I just wanted to recover or copy-paste them but accidentally scrolled past while trying to navigate back and forth, and I can't seem to locate them again.
If this were me, I would make a complete 100% clone from this 17-year-old drive and then proceed with an investigation on the newly created version.
Linux would be suitable for this task, or Macrium Reflect for forensic work.
After creating the clone, conduct any necessary analysis on this freshly made copy.
I also have Linux Mint installed! What is DD and do you require advanced Linux expertise for it? I've tried Linux Mint for about two hours and feel confident now.
Even better could be HDDSuperClone
HDDSuperClone
Welcome to the hub of HDDSuperClone, HDDSuperTool, and HDDSCViewer Overview: HDDSuperClone is a sophisticated Linux-based hard drive cloning/imaging application. HDDSuperTool serves as an advanced Linux utility for hard drive management. HDDSCViewer is a graphical interface built on Linux to analyze progress log files.
www.hddsuperclone.com