Recovering Data from DVDs

On a storage medium, the messages in the form of data are suspended for use when required. Although the term storage refers to primary storage (memory), also it usually means a place to hold secondary storage such as that on a hard disk or a tape.

 

Storage media can be arranged in many ways for convenient access to data. Some oft-used arrangements include:

 

·          A redundant array of independent discs (RAID)

 

·          Network-attached storage

 

·          Storage area network

 

The advent of desktop computers saw them fitted with bulky, cumbersome storage devices. The capacity of these storage devices was sufficient for those times but negligible according to today’s standards. The hard drives at that time were fixed inside the computers thus restricting their movement from one place to the other. The other option for storage was floppy drive. These were small, portable round discs but quite volatile resulting in data loss.

 

The initial storage capacity of these devices was a mere 1.4 MB. As the power of processors kept increasing and kinds of software got bulkier, they came loaded in multiple numbers of floppy discs

at times making it cumbersome to load them in computers. In case one floppy in the chain did not function properly, then the complete software installation was stalled.

 

The invention of optical discs brought around a much-awaited relief. The first type of optical discs to be launched were called CDs or compact discs and they stored digital data up to 700 MB. This was a big step towards increasing storage capacity. It also avoided the sheer quantity of floppy discs to be handled. As digital technology made further progress the files became bigger and the need to store data increased manifold. There were files in excess of 1 or 2 GB that needed to be either stored in tape drives or broken up across a number of CDs.

 

DVDs, the full form of which is digital video/versatile discs, filled the lacuna of higher capacity discs. Their capacity was a phenomenal 4.7 GB for single-layered DVDs and up to 8-9 GB for double-layered DVDs. Their size and capacity turned out to be a quantum leap in mass storage technology.

 

DVDs store data in the form of millions of microscopic pits that are read by a read/ write head by bouncing a laser off the disc surface. In a dual layer DVD, there is a second physical layer within the disc itself. A drive with dual layer capability accesses the second layer by shining the laser through this semi-transparent layer.

 

For all their convenience and capacity, the optical discs are prone to losing data. This can occur due to the pattern of pits on the optical disc getting damaged or corrupted. Dust particles and other contaminants settle on its surface, thus preventing the laser from reading the stored information properly.

 

One can combat this problem by cautiously cleaning the surface with a soft lint-free cloth. If the condition still prevails, then the data will need to be recovered professionally. Data recovery can be done using effective DIY (do it yourself) software or in a more complicated situation by employing a data recovery agency.

 

The DIY software can be bought and downloaded from the Internet. This is a quicker and cheaper option. The instructions to use the software are indicated clearly and are simple to follow. There are loads of DIY software available in the market and on the net. This can confuse you about the choice. The most important thing to keep in mind is that one should buy a software with maximum functions and features. Here are some pointers to help you make the decision:

 

·          Rewritable DVDs can be used to store data in two ways - through burning process or through drag and drop feature. Buy a DIY software that supports both types of DVD formatting.

 

·          It is important that the software is able to support DVDs of all sizes.

 

·          The software should be able to recover files that have been deleted from DVD and removed from the recycle bin.

·          Many users store data on DVDs in a compressed form. The software should be able to unzip these files and recover them.

 

·          The software should be able to side-step the operating system and enable you to access data on the DVD directly.

 

·          The software should be user-friendly and instructions simple to follow.

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