Thread: Retrieve a file using MS DOS?

Does anyone know how I can retreive a file that I have deleted using DOS? Because I have lost it. Is it true that it is still on my computer? If so I might delete all my stuff to later retrieve it, disk space .

Cheers,

SVWillmer.

is it on a hard or floppy disk ? what file structure are you using? how long ago did you delete it? what version of windows or whatever are you using?

Hard Disk
Word 2003 document
Microsoft Windows XP Home

Probelm being I deleted it at the time because I didn't have Office (hence no logo) and copied it from college originally. Its some good work I want back, sentiment I know but still.

1) Again when did you delete it?

2) is your file system NTFS or 16/32 BIT FAT?

3) How large was the file?

4) Have you defragmented your disk since you 'deleted' it?

Originally Posted by Megabrain

1) Again when did you delete it?

2) is your file system NTFS or 16/32 BIT FAT?

3) How large was the file?

4) Have you defragmented your disk since you 'deleted' it?

1: 4 months ago, I think :?.
2: 32 BIT FAT, I think :?.
3: About 128MB.
4: Yes, numerous times.

a 128 mb word document?!?! A book maybe?!

Old deleted files are not actually removed from the disk all that happens is the area that they occupy is marked as 'free space' when you de frag though, everything gets shuffled around with the free space being used as temp storage.

Let's say I have five files marked on a disk (0=free space, 1 = file x=site of old file)

11101100000000

Ok now delete the last file (mark it free) gives

11101x00000000

Now let's de frag the file

11110x00000

now put two more files on it

11111100000 at which point your old file is lost, it survived for a while but is no more.

THis is a slight simplification but overall the longer you leave it the less hance there is of a successfull recovery.

32 BIT FAT, I think

It should probably be 32 bit NTFS, unless you upgraded from your old OS. Anyway, bad luck. :|

Like the "Jack Handy" proverb:

If you ever drop your keys in molten lava...forget about it...'cause man..their gone.


...and so is your file..sorry dude.

Another Gene leaves the pool...

There is a useful program (but you have to pay for it) called Active UNDELETE. - That will retrieve it for you.

What happens is say if you have a file named "Myphoto1.jpg" when you delete, whether using DOS or windows, the system will change the name to "?yphoto1.jpg" the question mark denoting that this is a deleted file and maybe over written by the system. As mega has said, if you have de-fragged your HD that could be a problem, also if you have installed or downloaded another programme etc, that may have over-written the file, in which case its lost forever im afraid.