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Open Source Alternative to GetDataBack?

(5 posts)

  1. miraculix

    member
    Joined: Aug '09
    Posts: 27

    Reputation:46
     

    The GetDataBack software does exactly what I need - it recovers screwed up NTFS partitions that other recovery software can't even find (I had two drives in RAID 0 and the MBR got completely corrupted, so the drive doesn't even show up in Windows).

    The only problem with GetDataBack is the cost. $79 just for the NTFS version. I fork over more money if the drive has FAT partitions, and even more for RAID restoration. I'd rather not spend hundreds of dollars. There must be a viable open source, or at least less expensive, alternative to GetDataBack?

    Posted 2 years ago #


  2. Posted 2 years ago

  3. cwd

    senior admin
    Joined: Jul '09
    Posts: 225

    Reputation:244
     

    You could try Active Partition Recovery (APR). There's versions available for DOS and Windows. While it doesn't have the "step by step" approach of GetDataBack, it does have a clean and intuitive interface.

    In your case it should find and recognize your harddrive, as GetDataBack did. Right-click the harddrive, and select "Super Scan" ("Quick Scan," while faster, usually doesn't find partitions when the MBR is corrupted). Best part - Active Partition Recovery only costs $49 (Windows) and $39 (DOS).

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. miraculix

    member
    Joined: Aug '09
    Posts: 27

    Reputation:46
     

    Thanks - I tried Active Partition Recovery but the files it was able to retrieve were all garbled. Interestingly enough, the actual partition names were intact (whereas GetDataBack only showed me folder names), but the folder and file names weren't nearly as extensively recovered as with GetDataBack.

    I guess I'll just have to pony up the cash. What bugs me is that there's no way for me to see if the files will actually recover before I make my purchase.

    A tip for anyone using a RAID array - after this experience I highly recommend against using one period - it seems like in this day of affordably sized and efficiently speedy drives it's not necessary to have a RAID. If you're concerned about backup - use an online backup service. But make sure they backup all your files!

    Finally - whatever you do, don't mess with MBR's! Unless you fastidiously backup and keep track of your MBR's, changing them with partitioning software when you don't know what you're doing will only cause trouble (as I can attest to).

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. Anonymous



    You can try the online backup solution Carbonite. It is a service that uses our high-speed Internet connection and our Windows PC to make backup copies of all our important files to a remote location that we provide.

    They install a small program on our computer that locates and makes secure copies of our pictures, movies, music, documents and other important data silently and automatically.

    Carbonite keeps track of new files and changes to existing files so it always knows what needs to be backed up. It performs what they call "Automatic Continuous Backup" in the background without interfering with the normal use of our computer.

    Carbonite is the only backup service which allow us to access all of our backed up files from any computer anywhere with an Internet connection and a Web browser. No need to install any software! Click hereto give Carbonite a whirl with their free trial.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. Anonymous



    Second that Carbonite recommendation for backup - been using them for over 2 years now and have already successfully restored all my files from a busted PC onto a new one - took less than a couple hours to get back up and running.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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