Flash drive data recovery: can't overwritten files be saved?

[jv4356]

I'm having trouble retrieving some older files on my flash drive that I deleted some time ago (mostly Word and InDesign files). The free data recovery program I used couldn't retrieve them because it said that they were overwritten, 100%.

My guess as to why they were overwritten is from an attempt I made to cram more work into the drive's already puny 512 MB of space.

Does anyone know if there are specialized data recovery programs dealing with overwritten files, or if there are experts who can do so?

 

[CanadaRAM]

You're probably hooped. Overwritten is overwritten.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I agree. Use a external HD or a bigger flash drive. the flash drives are relatively inexpensive compared to the old days..

 

[sickmacdoc]

I agree. Use a external HD or a bigger flash drive. the flash drives are relatively inexpensive compared to the old days..

No kidding there! WalMart current has 4Gb Kingston MicroCruisers for $19.88 as part of a back to school promotions. Something like $11.88 for 2Gb.

And BTW- Staples has PNY 8Gb ones for $22 this week too!

 

[jv4356]

Might it be possible to recover the data, albeit with a more advanced method?

http://wipe.sourceforge.net/secure_del.html


Also...I think that some of my files (but not all) are on my regular hard drive, but I lost them after reformatting last year (I forgot they were on there in addition to the flash drive). Unfortunately my data recovery program won't recognize any files from before the reformatting. My HD is about 120 GB, so I doubt that anything was overwritten.

 

[jv4356]

Sorry to nag, but I urgently need to figure out what to do. Also, can someone tell me whether or not it's possible to recover data from before reformatting my HD last year? I can't find anything older than the last reformatting. I should note that I have never come close to using up all of the space on my HD.

 

[robbieduncan]

Unless you are willing to spend thousands of dollars on non-guaranteed specialist data recovery then no, not a chance.

 

[sundquist]

I suspect you might be stuffed but there's a good article here you could read.

http://www.notsosoftware.com/file_destruction_how_many_to_wipe.asp

There's some software available there, 'Discovery Recovery'. It's as good as it gets and if it doesn't work then nothing will.