Recover files "overwitten" by DirectCD

[ckhughesjr]

I have this problem except the CD-R was over written with Direct CD. The files are still there but I cannot read them. Of course when I insert the CD-R it automatically starts with Direct CD. Is there any way I can bypass the index and reclaim these files? Explorer says there is 400 MB of space left on a 700 MB disc and less than 1 MB of data can be seen. I am using XP home with service pack 2 version 5.3 cd software.

[Brendon]

I have this problem except the CD-R was over written with Direct CD. The files are still there but I cannot read them. Of course when I insert the CD-R it automatically starts with Direct CD. Is there any way I can bypass the index and reclaim these files? Explorer says there is 400 MB of space left on a 700 MB disc and less than 1 MB of data can be seen. I am using XP home with service pack 2 version 5.3 cd software.

 

If the disc is a CD-R, I don't see how it could have been overwritten by Direct CD.

 

If you have somehow managed to format with Direct CD the area of the disc that was unused (how ever did you manage that?) the disc is now going to be in an "unusual" state which I haven't seen before. No recovery can be guaranteed, but there are a couple of things worth trying.

 

The Direct CD operation shouldn't have been able to destroy the data already written, since the CD-R can only be written once. If that's the case, it is just a matter of how to access the data.

 

1) Disabling Direct CD either by uninstalling it or preventing it loading/running with something like MSCONFIG might enable you to see the non-UDF area of the disc. (no guarantees there)

 

2) You may be able to recover files with a recovery utility such as CDRoller or ISObuster, which you can obtain off the web. They both allow a trial which will identify what files can be recovered, but you have to pay to get a version which will actually do the recovery.

[ckhughesjr]

If the disc is a CD-R, I don't see how it could have been overwritten by Direct CD.

 

If you have somehow managed to format with Direct CD the area of the disc that was unused (how ever did you manage that?) the disc is now going to be in an "unusual" state which I haven't seen before. No recovery can be guaranteed, but there are a couple of things worth trying.

 

The Direct CD operation shouldn't have been able to destroy the data already written, since the CD-R can only be written once. If that's the case, it is just a matter of how to access the data.

 

1) Disabling Direct CD either by uninstalling it or preventing it loading/running with something like MSCONFIG might enable you to see the non-UDF area of the disc. (no guarantees there)

 

2) You may be able to recover files with a recovery utility such as CDRoller or ISObuster, which you can obtain off the web. They both allow a trial which will identify what files can be recovered, but you have to pay to get a version which will actually do the recovery.

 

 

Thanks for the information. Both CDRoller and ISObuster worked. ISOBuster was able to remove all files just like it was in a explorer window. CDRoller also read the files, but the setup is a little different. CDRoller will let you see the files, but not save until you pay for a license. Thanks again for your help!