Some files disappeared after transfer from USB drive

Kernel_Sanders

I filled a USB drive with 1.84GB of files from my C and D drives, which are nearly full. I copied them onto a new folder on the HDD of another PC I own, then deleted all the files from the USB drive. I've since discovered that the new folder is several hundred MB short of 1.84GB, and none of the files are in the recycle bin. However, I didn't format the USB drive and have not yet written any new files to it, so can I recover them in some way?

Dave_C_2

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

Dave

Figment

FYI Files deleted from USB sticks do not go to the Recycle Bin.

Kernel_Sanders

I ran this and ticked all, then decided to recover them back to the USB drive as it stated '1.84GB'. I now find that only a fraction of the files are there, so can I just repeat the process?(recovering to the HDD instead). I think the '1.84GB' must have been referring to the pendrive size.

Figment wrote: »

FYI Files deleted from USB sticks do not go to the Recycle Bin.

Are there any other drives where this is the case, e.g.CD ?

Figment

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I ran this and ticked all, then decided to recover them back to the USB drive as it stated '1.84GB'. I now find that only a fraction of the files are there, so can I just repeat the process?(recovering to the HDD instead). I think the '1.84GB' must have been referring to the pendrive size.

When attempting data recovery you should always restore files to a different disk, otherwise you risk over-writing space originally used by other files you're trying to recover, making their successful recovery less likely. IIRC Recuva warns you of this when you select the restore location.

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Are there any other drives where this is the case, e.g.CD ?

I couldn't say categorically, as I rarely, if ever, have cause to delete files from optical media. One way to find out: When deleting a file you will see one of two messages, depending on the delete method -

Are you sure you want to move this file to the recycle bin?; or

Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?.

Kernel_Sanders

Figment wrote: »

When attempting data recovery you should always restore files to a different disk, otherwise you risk over-writing space originally used by other files you're trying to recover, making their successful recovery less likely. IIRC Recuva warns you of this when you select the restore location.

I've just found this out the hard way did another (deep) search, and recovered most (1.45GB). Trouble is, they were in about a dozen folders originally, but the files are all on their own now. Not too bothered about that, except it would take me hours to compare them with the new folder I made on the other PC. Shall I just move all these files and folders into one big folder (choosing 'yes to all' duplicates) then use a duplcate file detector program?

Kernel_Sanders

Figment wrote: »

When deleting a file you will see one of two messages, depending on the delete method -

Are you sure you want to move this file to the recycle bin?; or

Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?.

Must admit I've never really bothered to read these messages properly. Kicking myself now.(but not as much as Gary Glitter must be )