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Thread ID: 72022 2006-08-26 05:16:00 Delete Storage alsoslick (10137) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
480788 2006-08-27 04:49:00 When you delete a file, the OS does not bother erasing the actual contents of the file; it takes the easy step of changing a directory entry, which is how the OS locates files, and marking the disk area it used as free . In DOS, all that was changed was the first character in the filename .

This means that a recovery programme can look in the directory for evidence of deleted files . When it finds one, it can get the starting location of the file, and the size . It might be able to recover a file from this information . If the area hasn't had a new file put in it, and if the original file was not stored in a number of chunks ("fragmented") .

After the dreadful moment when you realise: "No, I was not sure", it's important not to use the computer . An immediate power off is indicated . Windows is always writing to the disk . Any write can destroy what you want . It's equally important for recovery programmes not to write recovered data to the same disk partition . They get the OS to write their output, and the OS knows that the areas used by deleted files are free . :D
Graham L (2)
480789 2006-08-27 05:54:00 alsoslick try this:

www.snapfiles.com
zqwerty (97)
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