When to use the software

Logical failures

A logical failure is corruption of the logical structure of the file system. The first sign of a logical failure is when the user is unable to get access to the location where their data is stored. Other signs include a suddenly disappeared data volume (logical disk), unbootable drive as well as impossibility to open an existing file or folder. The most important thing is that the physical drive keeps working, and the operating system is able to detect this drive.

• computer malware attacks, software or operating system malfunctions;

• deletion of critical system files;

• inappropriate OS shutdowns;

• hardware failures which lead to errors in writing critical file system information;

• faulty hard drive partitioning.

Don’t rush to reinstall your operating system. Moreover, disk formatting will only make things worse, as it places new file system structures over the existing ones.

Don’t apply any system repair tools, such as CHKDSK or FSCK. They tend to try filling in the missing information on the storage, thus leading to the situation of a hazardous data overwriting. They can also misunderstand the file system problem and conduct an inappropriate repair.

• If the problem is related to the system volume (logical disk), take the logically broken drive out of the computer, find another one running Windows, Linux or macOS, and connect this drive to it for recovery. If it is not possible, close all the programs that can somehow use this logical disk and do not try opening its data;

• Download Raise Data Recovery to any place other than the failed volume;

• Start the program;

• Go to physical storages, select the drive and press Continue;

• Find the required logical volume or press Ignore these partitions to perform a complete disk scan and press Start scanning;

• Find your files;

• Recover them to a safe location.

Note: Raise Data Recovery will recover lost files only if they still remain on the physical storage. If your data has undergone overwriting, the program won't be able to recreate them.

User mistakes during the recovery process may lead to data loss. Please follow the precautions carefully.

Malware attacks

Computer malware is basically software programs that, being installed without user permission, make changes to the operation of the system. You may notice that your computer is infected, as it may start working in an unusual way. What is more, it may lock access to your files or even delete them.

• downloading cracked and pirate software;

• opening attachments from unfamiliar e-mail addresses;

• surfing unreliable web-sites;

• non-use of anti-virus programs.

Use an anti-virus program and keep it up-to-date in order to timely detect and delete a virus. Avoid using the System Restore method. This can cause loss of all recently created files.

Basic steps you should take to recover lost files after a malware:

• Download and use anti-virus software to clean your system from malware;

• Download Raise Data Recovery to any location other than the storage with lost data;

• Start the program;

• Select the logical volume and press continue;

• Find your files;

• Recover them to a safe location.

Note: Raise Data Recovery will recover lost files only if they still remain on the physical storage. If your data has undergone overwriting, the program won’t be able to recreate it.

User mistakes during the recovery process may lead to data loss. Please carefully follow the precautions.

Accidental file deletion

Accidental data deletion may occur due to user mistakes during their work with files. The system offers several options of the files’ deletion procedure. You may delete a file using the Recycle Bin (or Trash), which is a two-step method – first, you delete a file using a context menu or pressing Delete on the keyboard, second, you empty the Recycle Bin (or Trash). Another way to delete a file is pressing Shift + Delete keys which results in an immediate file deletion avoiding any temporary locations. Certainly, the OS gives you warning messages, but most users don't pay attention to them.

Moreover, some programs may not even ask for user's confirmation when deleting or replacing files.

Avoid any writing to the data volume (logical disk) the files were deleted from.

Basic steps you should take to recover lost files after accidental file deletion:

• Download Raise Data Recovery to a location different from the one the file was deleted from;

• Start the program;

• Select the logical volume and press continue;

• Find your files;

• Recover them to a safe location.

Note: Raise Data Recovery will recover lost files only if they still remain on the physical storage. If your data has undergone overwriting, the program won’t be able to recreate it.

User mistakes during the recovery process may lead to data loss. Please carefully follow the precautions.

File system formatting

• If the problem is related to the system volume (logical disk), take the logically broken drive out of the computer and find another machine running Windows, Linux or macOS to connect it to for recovery. If it is not possible, close all the programs that can somehow use this logical disk and do not try opening its data;

• Download Raise Data Recovery to any location other than the failed volume;

• Start the program;

• Go to physical storages, select the drive and press continue;

• Find the required logical volume or press Ignore these partitions for a complete disk scan and press Start scanning;

• Find your files;

• Recover them to a safe location.

Note: Raise Data Recovery will recover lost files only if they still remain on the physical storage. If your data has undergone overwriting, the program won’t be able to recreate it.

User mistakes in the recovery process may lead to data loss. Please follow the precautions carefully.