Recuva recovery issue

sanlei -  
San.lei Posted messages 102 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   -
Hello,

I installed Recuva, and it successfully finds the files that I accidentally deleted.

The problem is that when I click on "Recover," making sure to put the files on an external hard drive as advised, I end up with shortcuts that are not usable.

Where am I going wrong?
Thank you

Configuration: Windows / Firefox 99.0

19 réponses

bazfile Posted messages 58440 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   20 246
 
Hello.
Use PHOTOREC more effectively https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Etape_par_Etape

--
bazfile
Moderator/Contributor security.
A hello, a reply, and a thank you are always appreciated.
2
sanlei
 
Thank you for the response, I'm going to try to figure this..... funny thing out. ;)
0
Ollivier
 
No problem, have a good day.
0
sanlei
 
Good evening

In the end, I find myself with almost 5000 files.
I spent quite a bit of time on it, but when I search by indicating .odt, I can't find ONE document (very precious to me, the others... not a big deal).
Only shortcuts are retrieved.

I have not recovered any files after 12/02/2021 even though I have used this document since then.

So, I ask again: how can I use Recuva to find the file but it only gives me the shortcut (and the original file is nowhere to be found) to recover it?

Thank you.
0
Sanlei
 
I just used TestDisk, followed the tutorial, and now the PC boots up with a blue screen, error code, and the recovery keys don't do anything.
What should I do now???
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311
 
Is it when running "testdisk" that the PC turns on with the blue screen?
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
No, after restarting following the testdisk run.
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311 > sanlei
 
Did you retrieve any files?
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
Nothing at all since after rebooting the PC it shows a blue screen.
I have access to the BIOS but I don't know what to do with it...
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
Press the power button 3 times in a row to access advanced startup options

In Settings > System Recovery > Choose another restore point...
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
Hi,

On which drive were these files?

C:\ ?
D:\ ?
0
sanlei
 
On the computer's disk.

On the C drive.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
The first thing to try when it's on the C:\ drive is none other than Shadow Explorer 0.9 Portable

https://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html

You can explore the shadow copies with it (the restore points)

Select a folder or file with right click > Export
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
Well yes, but now..... I have no access to anything, not even to the repair via F1.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
0
sanlei
 
I also used this method, but it doesn't work either.

It tells me "a required device is not connected or is inaccessible"....
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
You will need to reinstall Windows.

From another PC, you can download AOMEI PE Builder and create a USB drive to copy your data, browser profile, etc. to somewhere other than C:\

https://www.ubackup.com/pe-builder.html

If the PC is old, you need to create the drive in MBR mode

If it is recent (Windows 8 or higher) in GPT mode > For Windows 11 GPT

Boot from it using the PC's Boot menu

https://www.malekal.com/liste-touches-acces-bios-boot-menu-constructeur/

If you don't see it, you can search on Google "[Brand Model] Boot Menu Key"

-----------------------------------------------------­------------------------­---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use the tool to create a USB drive to upgrade, repair, or reinstall Windows

Windows 10 https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows10/

Windows 11 https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows11

If you already have the Windows ISO file that you can download from the tool, you can create your USB drive with Rufus

If the PC is old, you need to create the drive in MBR mode

If it is recent (Windows 8 or higher) in GPT mode > For Windows 11 GPT

Boot from it using the PC's Boot Menu

Choose "Custom Installation" (Not Upgrade)

Delete all system partitions and create a new one (This will delete the data).
0
sanlei
 
The PC is about 2 years old.
I've already started creating a USB drive to reinstall Windows 11, but on my old computer, it takes a long time... luckily I have fiber optic :)

To be continued.......
0
sanlei
 
I downloaded AOMEI PE Builder, put it on a USB drive, inserted it into the computer, selected it in the Boot... it doesn’t want to know, impossible to get the program to work.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
Did you create it in GPT for EFI?

In any case, if you install Windows on the same partition without formatting, you will find your data in a Windows.old folder at the root of C:\.
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
I simply saved the program to the USB drive.
How do I set it to GPT mode for EFI?
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4rhw9eK98

The example in the video is not very good, old, and it does not create a key with the program or with Rufus, but it needs to be done.
0
sanlei
 
I finally plugged in the USB drive created via the provided link and was finally able to access the "advanced options" section of the computer in question.

Summary:

- The system restart tool couldn't fix anything.
- System restore doesn't work either, it can't find any restore points.

- I'm hesitant to touch the command prompt.
- Uninstalling updates doesn't help either.
- Changing UEFI firmware settings (I don't know what it is)
- System image recovery: Windows can't find any

So I've come to the point I really didn't want, reinstalling Windows.
Upgrade or custom.

So I chose custom as you indicated and I have 4 drives appearing and all 4 indicate that it is impossible to install Windows, the partition tables are in MBR...

However, when I purchased this PC, it was already running W10.

BUT at one point, I don't remember how I did it, I was able to see that my documents and others are still present on the computer.

My conclusion: should I load an "older" version of Windows??

I'll see about that tomorrow.... my brain is overheating.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
You need to boot from a WinPE USB drive to copy the data.

You couldn't do it with AOMEI, so I can suggest trying the STRELEC version English https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/sergei_strelecs_winpe.html

P.S.: Read the Editor's Note at the bottom.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
Convert your disk to GPT after backing up your data.

https://sostuto.com/convertir-mbr-gpt/1455/
0
sanlei
 
Hello
After searching through my paperwork (I had a doubt), the computer was running W7 when I bought it.
So I suppose it's MBR.

I'm starting the operations again.... but AOMEI only offers options starting from W10.

How do I create the key in MBR?
I know..... lots of questions but I admit, I'm not very skilled in all of this.
0
sanlei
 
I downloaded STRELEC, followed the instructions for "create a bootable usb device" and..... the USB stick is empty.
After 3 attempts, I'm still at the same point.

What am I missing?
0
sanlei > sanlei
 
I clarify that I also extracted the ISO file onto the USB stick.

I tried with BOOTICE 32 and BOOTICE 64, I'm still at the same point....
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
Create your key with Ventoy, and then copy the ISO file directly to the key.

https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html

In Ventoy, there is an option to set it to GPT (or NOT) Not in your case.
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
I definitely have bad luck..... Ventoy is not loading.
I know my "old" PC is lagging but not to that extent.

Finally..... it's in progress.

Once the USB drive is FINALLY usable on the PC, I get a message "secure boot violation" "invalid signature detected. Check secure boot policy in setup".....
0
sanlei
 
I managed to get the advanced options displayed on the screen, but none of them work.
Whether it's the system restart tool, the command prompt, uninstalling updates, etc., etc.....

So..... Help! What do I do?
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
I would still have to explain everything from the beginning.

Did you back up the data somewhere else with STRELEC and Ventoy?

Did you convert your disk to GPT?

Did you install Windows?
0
sanlei
 
I couldn't do any of this.
I tried with Ventoy and I got the following message: "secure boot violation" "invalid signature detected. Check secure boot policy in setup".....

Strelec didn't work either.
0
sanlei
 
I couldn't do any of that.
I tried with Ventoy and I got the following message: "secure boot violation" "invalid signature detected. Check secure boot policy in setup".....

Strelec didn't work either.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
In Ventoy, there is a GPT option and another option for Secure Boot

You can also disable Secure Boot in the BIOS
0
sanlei
 
I didn't find a GPT option in Ventoy, nor an option for Secure Boot.....

I will start again with Ventoy, but how do I disable Secure Boot in the BIOS??
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
You need to look in the BIOS and change it to Disabled.

But if you can do it with Ventoy in GPT mode with Secure BOOT, it’s unnecessary to change it in the BIOS.
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
I didn't find it in Ventoy.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
Options > Secure boot support

In addition to GPT in Partition Style
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
Well, I'm not getting anywhere tonight, I'll look at it again tomorrow.


But thank you very much for your help, even if I'm a bit..... annoying for not getting it.
0
sanlei
 
Hello

Finally, I FINALLY managed to get it started, in "minimal" mode under W10 I would say with AOMEI.

However, there is nothing in the documents, music, etc. folders.
The C: partition has almost nothing, and it's in FAT32
The F: Recovery partition is three-quarters full and in NTFS

What should I do now?
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311
 
If you click on the recovery partition, what does it give?
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
It tells me that it's "empty".....
0
sanlei
 
Help?
I'm afraid to turn it off for fear it'll restart with a blue screen.....
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311
 
I can give you a procedure to use the C drive in NTFS, then we can see about deleting the recovery partition and extending it to C (especially if it has a large capacity)!
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
What I would like to know is what manipulation I need to perform with the AOMEI tool to ensure that everything restarts correctly.
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311 > sanlei
 
AOEMI is used to restore or modify partitions. You will do this in the command prompt, CMD as an administrator:
diskpart
list disk
sel disk 0
clean
format fs=ntfs quick
active
assign
exit
exit

Thus, you will have a new, functional partition and the PC will be active!
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   Ambassadeur 1 311
 
re,
I forgot a line of code, I'm sorry, actually after clean, you need to add the following line:
create partition primary

--
“Take your chance, cling to your happiness, and go towards your risk. By looking at you, they will get used to it.” René Char
0
sanlei
 
I reinstalled W11 choosing custom, but contrary to what I was told earlier: "Anyway, if you install Windows on the same partition without formatting, you will find your data in a Windows.old folder at the root of C:\," I do not have a Windows.old file.
0
sanlei
 
And I no longer have a RECOVERY partition.
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311 > sanlei
 
Did you back up your documents before this incident with this PC?
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
Documents, music, photos and fortunately!
Even though for some items, like the BankPerfect file for example, the recovery has bugged a bit.....

I am reinstalling my applications gradually.
I will have to try to find my email addresses, my bookmarks..... otherwise, too bad.

Is it normal that I no longer have a RECOVERY partition?
(I don't even remember if there was one before......)
0
sanlei
 
What really gets on my nerves is that I did all of this to try to recover ONE file, just one, that really mattered to me and it didn't work.
This document was 60 pages.
60 pages of what I was able to write to my husband since his passing on November 24th, he "fell asleep" permanently at the age of 54.
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311
 
I empathize with your pain, yes sometimes we find ourselves in really complicated computer situations!
It's a shame you didn't save that document somewhere else: cloud, external hard drive, etc.
0
sanlei > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
Thank you.
It's just when I tried to save this file (and others) on an external hard drive that it... messed up.
Only 3 .odt documents have "disappeared," the others are still there.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > sanlei
 
You should have read the YouTube tutorial that Quentin sent you.

We are talking about a partition recovery software and not file recovery.

Bazfile was right and I was right, we did what we could.

You absolutely should not have used TestDisk, especially without understanding what it was.
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036 > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
When I arrived on the subject, the damage was already done; there was no point in giving me -1 votes everywhere!
0
sanlei
 
Just a simple mistake on my part, just for the -1!
0
fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention   6 036
 
Sure, no problem.

You can still try Photorec as Bazfile suggested at the beginning; we could hardly propose anything better at this point.

See you!
0
sanlei > fabul Posted messages 42114 Registration date   Status Modérateur Last intervention  
 
I tried again, but it doesn’t find anything for me.
I'm giving up.
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311 > sanlei
 
0
San.lei Posted messages 102 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 > quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
Good evening
Well, in the end, I tried again using Testdisk.
And now I have 4 lines.
3 mention HPFS - NTFS and the 1st: *FAT32 which appears in green, with information that apparently dates back to June 7, 2021.
I didn’t dare to go further for fear of making a c......ie.

How can I attach a screenshot?
I'm just trying to recover files but I don't want to "overwrite" the ones I currently have.
Also, is a "recovery" partition necessary?
If so, how do I create it?

I know, a lot of questions.....
0
quentin2121 Posted messages 9063 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 311 > San.lei Posted messages 102 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention  
 
Hello,
Good news with testdisk if it finds things. There is the screenshot tool in Windows 10, search in the search box at the bottom left. After that, I will guide you... Good luck!
0