Need help recovering files that I deleted from my recycle bin

[Unannounced Fart]

So I accidentally deleted some video (MP4) files. I deleted them from my recycle bin. I downloaded a program that was able to restore the deleted files, but now I'm unable to play them. So are the files now corrupted, or is there something I need to do to make them work again? Also, what process do you use to recover deleted files like this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Crystallas]

Where to begin.

1) if you write to a disk that you want to recover from, in the same sectors that the deleted file was stored, then you significantly reduce the chance of recovering the whole file(s).
2) If you use a recovery program, then the program will write to that disk. If you want to prevent writing to that disk, stop using that disk and use something that runs in memory, like a LiveCD with utilities(can be written to USB), and of course, set that up on another system.
3) Trash holding folders on all systems are sometimes written twice, depending on fragmentation layers. So if the file was stored in one path, then moved to the recycle bin, it's possible you have two copies of the same file to attempt a recovery on.

 

[Unannounced Fart]

Where to begin.

1) if you write to a disk that you want to recover from, in the same sectors that the deleted file was stored, then you significantly reduce the chance of recovering the whole file(s).
2) If you use a recovery program, then the program will write to that disk. If you want to prevent writing to that disk, stop using that disk and use something that runs in memory, like a LiveCD with utilities(can be written to USB), and of course, set that up on another system.
3) Trash holding folders on all systems are sometimes written twice, depending on fragmentation layers. So if the file was stored in one path, then moved to the recycle bin, it's possible you have two copies of the same file to attempt a recovery on.

Thanks for the response. Here is what happened so far:

1) I saved the MP4 files to my D drive.
2) I deleted those files from the D drive and the recycle bin.
3) I used a recovery program named 7-Data Recovery to recover the deleted files.
4) The recovery program asked me where to save the recovered files; I chose my F drive.
5) I tried loading the files from my F drive, but it didn't work.
6) When I try to play it, it says "Windows Media Player cannot play file. The Player may not support the file type or a required codec might not be installed on your computer." However, it played fine before I deleted it. When I press "Web Help," it says this: Windows Media Player error C00D119A.

So the files appear to have been recovered, but I cannot play it now. Any idea on how to fix this, or if I did something wrong during the recovery process?

 

[Crystallas]

Well, it might be missing a sliver of data, and that might be enough to corrupt the file. Also, mp4 containers are made up of stream capable encoders(meaning, you can still play the media and the missing bits just get ignored.)

One of three options from here, IMHO. You could see if handbrake will re-encode it. Handbrake is free. WMP sometimes has fits with incomplete files, and part of this is due to how strict its DRM management is. VLC is also an option to try(and IMO should be a backup media player on every system anyways just because of it's sheer amount of compatibility and how good it is at loading broken encodes into memory for playback).
The third option, is to try another deep recovery program, like Recuva(because you're using windows) and it's one of the best programs out there.

 

[botfly10]

Get VLC player and try that. For one, everyone should already be using that. Two, it will often play a file even if a little bit is missing. It might hang a little big when you hit the missing part, but the rest will usually work. I know its not a solution, but its something.

 

[xer0h0ur]

I was going to suggest using VLC as well. I have had luck playing back damaged/corrupted video files with VLC in the past.

 

[Xuder O'Clam]

Here is a FAQ from the 7-Data Recovery site.


Q: I cannot open the recovered files with software program applicable to the type of the file recovered. Why?
A: Your files were overwritten by other data. In this case there is no way to retrieve the data.


Crys's first and second second points above are key here. A good future investment is an external drive dock. Then you can remove the drive, and use it externally on another machine to recover lost files.

Writing anything to that disk increases chances that the files are lost for good.

Handbrake and VLC are a good idea, but I would try to find another way to recover other than installing any other recovery programs to the same drive.

Or any program. There is a portable version of VLC that can be run from a USB drive.

 

[Unannounced Fart]

Here is a FAQ from the 7-Data Recovery site.


Q: I cannot open the recovered files with software program applicable to the type of the file recovered. Why?
A: Your files were overwritten by other data. In this case there is no way to retrieve the data.


Crys's first and second second points above are key here. A good future investment is an external drive dock. Then you can remove the drive, and use it externally on another machine to recover lost files.

Writing anything to that disk increases chances that the files are lost for good.

Handbrake and VLC are a good idea, but I would try to find another way to recover other than installing any other recovery programs to the same drive.

Or any program. There is a portable version of VLC that can be run from a USB drive.

Thanks. I tried using VLC, but the files still won't play, so I'll try the other stuff Crys mentioned later tonight.

And regarding this: Q: I cannot open the recovered files with software program applicable to the type of the file recovered. Why?
A: Your files were overwritten by other data. In this case there is no way to retrieve the data.

Would that be possible if I haven't used my computer since trying to recover the files? The last thing I did was empty my recycle bin. Then, the next day, the first thing I did when I turned on the computer was to try to retrieve it. It was on my D drive, which is not my boot drive; it's just a drive where I save various files.

 

[Xuder O'Clam]

Thanks. I tried using VLC, but the files still won't play, so I'll try the other stuff Crys mentioned later tonight.

And regarding this: Q: I cannot open the recovered files with software program applicable to the type of the file recovered. Why?
A: Your files were overwritten by other data. In this case there is no way to retrieve the data.

Would that be possible if I haven't used my computer since trying to recover the files? The last thing I did was empty my recycle bin. Then, the next day, the first thing I did when I turned on the computer was to try to retrieve it. It was on my D drive, which is not my boot drive; it's just a drive where I save various files.

Did you download and install the 7 recovery software after deleting the files, or was the program already on your computer prior?

This is the thing. Most of these softwares are searched for when it's too late, then downloaded and installed, quite possibly writing over part or all of the files you wish to recover. The sites should be clear about this.

There may be portable recovery apps that can be run from a usb drive, or a Windows PE environment, or a Linux boot disk. If you still want to try recovering, and it is important, I would slave the drive on another computer, and stop using it until then.

Even browsing the web will cause writing to disk, cache and all.

 

[Xuder O'Clam]

Here are a few portable recovery options, one of which Crys mentioned above.

If you do try, download one directly to a usb stick and run it from there.


http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-free-portable-recovery-tools/

 

[Unannounced Fart]

Did you download and install the 7 recovery software after deleting the files, or was the program already on your computer prior?

This is the thing. Most of these softwares are searched for when it's too late, then downloaded and installed, quite possibly writing over part or all of the files you wish to recover. The sites should be clear about this.

There may be portable recovery apps that can be run from a usb drive, or a Windows PE environment, or a Linux boot disk. If you still want to try recovering, and it is important, I would slave the drive on another computer, and stop using it until then.

Even browsing the web will cause writing to disk, cache and all.

Yes, I downloaded the software after I deleted the files. But I downloaded and installed it on a different drive on my computer because that's what the program warned me to do. At this point, I don't think the files are worth recovering, but I appreciate everyone's input. Now I just need to think of a good excuse to tell my wife, or hopefully she'll just forget, lol.... I was trying my hand at editing my daughter's ballet recital, and I saved it as a project. I thought that since I saved it as a project, I was fine with deleting the original video file, but I was obviously wrong. Lesson learned.

 

[Xuder O'Clam]

Lol, well, at least you'll be prepared to recover the next recital.

 

[Crystallas]

Just keep in mind that Windows Vista-7,8,10 all write to any drive plugged in for caching.