RECOVER FIXED/FLOPPY DISK 
RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk FAT32/16/12 v3.0 - Commercial Version
Command Line Help
RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk FAT32/16/12 V3.0 Copyright 2001-2004 Systech Software
Systech Software
http://www.BestDiskRecovery.com E-mail: info@BestDiskRecovery.com
G.Namasivayam and G.Gurupandian
16, South Veli Street, Madurai - 625 001, Tamil Nadu, India
Syntax: RECOVRFD [Path][Filespec] [Drive2:Path] [-Switches]
[P][Filespec] File(s) to recover with drive letter and optional Path.
Default [Filespec] is *.*.
[Drive2:Path] Destination Drive:Path for recovered files/folders.
-R Recover files/folders with damaged FAT entry chain.
-X eXtract all files and if -D also ON, subfolders too.
-D[O] include subfolders; [Filespec] includes subfolders.
If -DO, work on subfolders Only; [Filespec]= Folderspec
-BR Backup / Recover Root Folder even if FAT has errors.
-I Ignore FAT copies and work without using any of them.
-E display Extended FAT readability status.
-LDirEntriesFile Look for files and subfolders in DirEntriesFile.
List details of DirEntriesFile if specified alone.
-F[AT]n Force use of FATn (as primary FAT if next -F[AT] also
specified). n is 1 for FAT 1 or 2 for FAT 2.
-F[AT][n] optimize FAT usage by using other FAT copy as well.
-SBn Supply Boot Record for floppy disk. n = 1|2|3|4.
1 = 360 KB, 2 = 720 KB, 3 = 1.2 MB and 4 = 1.44 MB.
-O[Filename] Output report to file. Default [Filename] is
RECOVRFD.RPT if -R or -X ON; RFD_?.RPT if -O only ON.
-O is auto ON if -R or -X is specified.
-H or -? this Help.
See documentation file for safeguarding against loss of FAT and Root Folder.
RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 - Commercial Version
Command Line Help
RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 Copyright 2001-2004 Systech Software
Systech Software
http://www.BestDiskRecovery.com E-mail: info@BestDiskRecovery.com
G.Namasivayam and G.Gurupandian
16, South Veli Street, Madurai - 625 001, Tamil Nadu, India
Syntax: RECOVRFD [Path][Filespec] [Drive2:Path] [-Switches]
[P][Filespec] File(s) to recover with drive letter and optional Path.
Default [Filespec] is *.*.
[Drive2:Path] Destination Drive:Path for recovered files/folders.
-R Recover files/folders with damaged FAT entry chain.
-X eXtract all files and if -D also ON, subfolders too.
-D[O] include subfolders; [Filespec] includes subfolders.
If -DO, work on subfolders Only; [Filespec]= Folderspec
-BR Backup / Recover Root Folder even if FAT has errors.
-I Ignore FAT copies and work without using any of them.
-E display Extended FAT readability status.
-LDirEntriesFile Look for files and subfolders in DirEntriesFile.
List details of DirEntriesFile if specified alone.
-F[AT]n Force use of FATn (as primary FAT if next -F[AT] also
specified). n is 1 for FAT 1 or 2 for FAT 2.
-F[AT][n] optimize FAT usage by using other FAT copy as well.
-SBn Supply Boot Record for floppy disk. n = 1|2|3|4.
1 = 360 KB, 2 = 720 KB, 3 = 1.2 MB and 4 = 1.44 MB.
-O[Filename] Output report to file. Default [Filename] is
RECOVRFD.RPT if -R or -X ON; RFD_?.RPT if -O only ON.
-O is auto ON if -R or -X is specified.
-H or -? this Help.
See documentation file for safeguarding against loss of FAT and Root Folder.
Command line examples
But for the fact that RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk FAT32/16/12 v3.0 supports FAT32 partitions of size 120 GB and less, this version and RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 both run similar to one another.
Let us assume that we need to work on a 1.44 MB floppy that was reformatted.
For a reformatted disk its ROOT Folder must have been backed up and available as a file. To recover the Root Folder from that floppy, the user would have run the following command:
RECOVRFD A: -BR <ENTER>
The last command would have created a file named AROOT.DIR.
To recover files and subfolders from the Root Folder using the file AROOT.DIR:
RECOVRFD A: -LAROOT.DIR -D -X -I <ENTER>
Assume that a folder named MYFILES was recovered by the command above.
To recover files and subfolders from the MYFILES folder on that 1.44 MB floppy:
RECOVRFD A: -LMYFILES -D -X -I <ENTER>
Let us assume that we need to work on a 1.44 MB floppy with damaged Boot Sector (that is, a floppy that cannot be used as a boot disk).
To list files and folders:
RECOVRFD A:\SOMEPATH\*.* -D -SB4 <ENTER>
To recover files and folders with damaged FAT entry chain (that is, a damaged FAT sector coming in our way):
RECOVRFD A:\SOMEPATH\*.* -D -R -SB4 <ENTER>
To recover all files and folders in specified path (including those with damaged FAT entry chain):
RECOVRFD A:\SOMEPATH\*.* -D -X -SB4 <ENTER>
To recover only folders in specified path (including those with damaged FAT entry chain):
RECOVRFD A:\SOMEPATH\*.* -DO -X -SB4 <ENTER>
About Switch -SBn
This switch supplies the Boot record for a floppy with damaged Boot Sector. A floppy with damaged Boot Sector denies access to the file system on it and causes the following error message to be displayed:
General failure reading drive A
Abort, Retry, Fail?
The types of floppies supported are 360 KB, 720 KB, 1.2 MB and 1.44 MB. If a floppy of one of these standard types develops a bad Boot Sector, the file system on the floppy can be accessed by RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 if Switch -SBn is specified on the command line; n must be one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on the type of the floppy. By specifying Switch -X along with Switch -SBn files in specified folder on such a floppy can be copied to some other destination. When this switch (option) is there for you, even if a floppy's Boot Sector has been physically damaged, it is as much as nothing has happened. Users of RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 don't have to resort to sector level data recovery chores in such cases. How your WINDOWS 95/98 computer must be booted to make good use of Switch -SBn is explained in the program documentation for RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2.
Note: Switch -SBn is not available with the FREEWARE version.
Exploiting Switch -SBn
To recover files from a 1.44 MB floppy with damaged Boot Sector (one that cannot be used as a boot disk):
RECOVRFD A:\ -SB4 -X <ENTER>
It must be remembered that RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 works at the specified folder (directory) level.
MAGIC: Making DOS think that the Boot Sector is OK when it is not really so
If you want some MAGIC, run the command example above without the -X switch (once is enough so long as you don't remove the floppy from the drive). Wait for the listing on screen to end. When you are back at the DOS prompt, use the disk as if its Boot Sector is ok. By working at the DOS prompt, you can change to any folder (directory) and run the DOS COPY command to copy files on the disk to your HDD. You can run even the DOS XCOPY command. Don't remove the floppy from the drive until you have recovered all the files on that floppy. If it is removed, you will have to run the command example above once again as specified here so as to work on the floppy and copy files from it straight away from DOS.
About Switch -O
Switch -O creates 2 different REPORT files. When files / folders are recovered by specifying switch -R or -X, user gets a REPORT file called a Recovery Report file named RECOVRFD.RPT (whether or not switch -O is also specified). When no recovery is attempted but screen output is wanted in a file by specifying switch -O alone, the REPORT file created is called a Facts Report file and is named like RFD_A.RPT, RFD_B.RPT, or RFD_C.RPT depending on the source drive specification in <Drive1:>[Path][Filespec]. For all the files/folders (matching given [Filespec]) this output file contains file/folder location details at the sector level for each fragmented part of file/folder content. This detail is sent to the file and is not displayed on screen. Please visit the Sample Facts Report file page to see what comes on screen and what more goes into the Facts Report file (which has a name like RFD_?.RPT, the ? being the place holder for the drive letter).
Exploiting Switch -O
When some folder seems so important, user can run RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 through a bat file, say, AUTOEXEC.BAT, to continually track the location of contents of files, including that of files that get fragmented due to addition of more content (particularly when one forgets to run his / her disk defragmenter quite often).
The command to do this is:
RECOVRFD C:\MostImportant\*.* -OA:\RFD_C10.RPT
This command creates, in A:\, a Facts Report File for the folder C:\MostImportant\ in the name RFD_C10.RPT. The name denotes that it is for the 10th important folder (note the 10 near the drive letter C in the file name).
This offsets the fear of loss of File Allocation Table(s) when one forgets to run the defragmenter for sometime. It must be remembered here that RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 can recover files without using the File Allocation Table(s) when file contents are in perfect order (that is, when disk defragmenter has been run recently) even if both the FAT copies were erased in their entirety in a virus attack. This is a blessing when compared with what one can do with sector level data recovery utilities in such cases.
About Switch -BR
Switch -BR backs up / recovers the Root Directory (Root Folder). To safeguard against accidental reformat, this folder needs to be backed up because the reformat operation completely erases the Root Folder. When Root Folder has bad sectors, this switch is useful to recover the not-damaged part of it. This is the first thing to do particularly when a backup of the Root Folder is not available.
Note: Switch -BR is not available with the FREEWARE version.
Exploiting Switch -BR
When it is expected that the defragmenter may relocate files/folders in the Root Folder due to new folders created very recently there, it is better to backup the Root Folder on a day to day basis. To do this a command can be placed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
A set of commands for three drives (partitions) is given below:
RECOVRFD C: -BR
RECOVRFD D: -BR
RECOVRFD E: -BR
These commands create the files CROOT.DIR, DROOT.DIR, and EROOT.DIR for the Root Folders on drive C:, D:, and E: respectively.
When the Root Folder disappears after an accidental reformat, RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 can be made to look for the Root Folder in the file rather than on disk.
Note: Creation, now and then, of new folders in the Root Folder requires endless backing up of the Root Folder concerned.
About Switch -X
Switch -X recovers all files in specified folder (directory) and recovers/backs up subfolders too if Switch -D is also specified. When it comes to subfolders, recovery and backing up are the same because the switch is the same and a recovered subfolder is just a backup of it (an identical raw image of the subfolder on disk). A backed up Root Folder (remember Switch -BR) or a subfolder is called a DirEntriesFile for the apparent reason that it contains the directory entries (file and subfolder entries) belonging to the folder. This DirEntriesFile is for use with
Switch -L to make RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 look for file/subfolder entries in the specified DirEntriesFile rather than on disk.
Exploiting Switch -X
When Switch -X is specified RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 works just like the COPY command but the speciality is in copying files which the COPY command cannot touch, like SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT. All system/hidden/readonly files can be copied and all system/hidden folders can be copied out as backup or for some other purpose.
But the main purpose of Switch -X is to recover all files and subfolders in the specified folder ignoring errors in FAT. Recovery doesn't depend on file extension or nature of file content. Both FAT copies in their entirety can be ignored by specifying Switch -I also; this is when FAT copies are suspected to have been corrupt/erased/physically damaged in their entirety.
About Switch -I
Switch -I is for use in recovering files and folders (directories) when FAT copies have become useless or unreliable because of virus attack, accidental reformat of disk or physical damage to disk surface. When this "Ignore FAT's" switch is specified, RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 ignores the FAT copies and works without using them. This switch works wonders for those who regularly defragment their file systems. Defragmenting a file system is an anti-sabotage measure where even when File Allocation Tables have been deliberatly erased by writing zero's or junk over them, nothing is lost, everything can be recovered by running RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2
Note: Switch -I is not available with the FREEWARE version.
Exploiting Switch -I
There are few programs in the world that can reduce your dependency on the File Allocation Tables (FAT copies) to absolute zero and ignore the FAT copies in their entirety and still recover your files/folders.
RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 gives you this unbelievable option to do the magic via Switch -I. That is why it is called the superpower switch. (And this is the reason for the word superpower appearing here and there on this site).
About Switch -LDirEntriesFile
A DirEntriesFile is an identical raw image of a folder. The only difference between a folder on disk and a backup of that folder (the backup being called a DirEntriesFile) is a header added at the top in the DirEntriesFile. Any folder extracted from any backup in its raw format can be used as much as a DirEntriesFile to recover files/subfolders.
Switch -LDirEntriesFile makes RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 look for file and subfolder entries in the DirEntriesFile rather than on disk in the specified path.
This switch enables one to access his / her files by using a directory (folder) structure kept outside. This provides enough safeguard against loss of the folder concerned. For instance, the Root Folder disappears if a disk (whether HDD or floppy) is reformatted accidentally or deliberately. If the Root Folder has been backed up by using RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2, it can be supplied on command line with Switch -L to recover files. If the disk was reformatted, Switch -I is also required.
Note: When a disk is reformatted, File Allocation Tables disappear too. Switch -I can be used to make RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 ignore the useless blank FAT copies and still recover files. For more, read about Switch -I above.
Exploiting Switch -LDirEntriesFile
A DirEntriesFile is a directory structure with a header. It is easy for anyone to edit a directory structure which is in a file and to do a lot of experiments. Most would think that it is safer to manipulate a directory structure available in a file rather than the actual one on disk at its original location. Many of you may get the feeling right now that it seems like a superpower option. This makes every one feel up to editing a directory structure. And the usage depends on requirements like recovering recently deleted files, recovering files with size truncated to 0 (zero), etc. There is no need for writing the edited directory structure back to disk; just supply it on the command line and get started on recovering files.
About Switch -R
Switch -R only recovers files/folders which have damaged FAT entry chain. If the first FAT entry or a subsequent FAT entry (for a file/folder) had been entered on a FAT sector which got physically damaged subsequently, RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 recovers the files/folders involved assuming that contents of such files/folders are located in contiguous disk sectors. If contents are on contiguous disk sectors, 100% recovery is possible. This switch also works wonders for those who regularly defragment their file systems.
If no FAT entry for any file/folder falls in a damaged FAT sector, this means that everything is ok despite the presence of damaged FAT sector(s)!!! and so no recovery is attempted. (But copying of more files to such a disk will fail).
If at least one FAT copy is ok (that is, not physically damaged), Switch -R will not attempt to recover anything because in case of physical damage to one FAT copy, the OS and RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 both can automatically (without user intervention) use the other FAT copy which is intact. The damaged FAT
sector(s) in the damaged FAT copy can be easily figured out in just a single run of RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 whether or not Switch -R is specified on command line.
Exploiting Switch -R
Any one can easily figure out that Switch -R is for exploiting a file system (for the purpose of data recovery without resorting to sector level chores) when the file system is kept in good order; that is, if file/folder contents are located in contiguous disk sectors, all files whether binary or text can be recovered. Recovery doesn't depend on file extension or nature of file content.
About Switch -D[O]
Switch -DO makes RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 work on Directories (folders) Only.
Switch -D makes RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 work on Directories (folders) as well as files.
If Switch -D or Switch -DO is not specified, RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 works on files only.
About Switch -F[AT]n
This is the first FAT switch.
Switch -F[AT]n forces RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 to make use of the user-specified FAT copy instead of the FAT copy it decides to use by itself. That is, when both FAT copies have bad sectors, RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 selects the one which has least number of physically damaged sectors; but user can force RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 to use the other FAT copy with more bad sectors for the reason that RECOVER Fixed/Floppy Disk v2.2 doesn't list certain most wanted files with errors when this other FAT copy is forced into use. This happens when, in this other FAT copy, the FAT sectors carrying entries for these files' contents aren't damaged. Users can find out if use of other FAT copy (with more bad sectors) makes certain files (particularly the most wanted ones) listed as error free. Then they can force that FAT copy into use to recover those files.
In short, when both FAT copies have bad sectors and the bad sectors didn't carry identical sections of FAT, Switch -F[AT]n and the next-described Switch -F[AT][n] would be most useful.
If the next-described Switch -F[AT][n] is also specified, it must specify the other FAT copy. The FAT copy specified in Switch -F[AT]n would be primary and the one specified in Switch -F[AT][n] would be supplementary. The supplementary FAT copy would be used to fill up gaps (sections of FAT trapped in bad sectors) in the primary FAT copy.
About Switch -F[AT][n]
This is the second FAT switch.
Switch -F[AT][n] specifies the supplementary FAT copy which provides contents (FAT entries) to fill up gaps in the primary FAT copy when primary FAT copy has bad sector(s). The primary FAT copy is just the one forced into use instead of the automatically selected FAT copy. The FAT copy number [n] may or may not be specified. If specified, it must not be the same as the one specified in the first FAT switch. The FAT copy (1 or 2) selected to serve as supplementary must be one that can supply contents (FAT entries) in substitution of the trapped contents (in a bad sector) in the primary FAT copy specified in the first FAT switch.
This switch must follow the first FAT switch.
Note: Switch -F[AT][n] is not available with the FREEWARE version.
Systech Software
G.Namasivayam & G.Gurupandian 16, South Veli Street, Madurai Pin 625001, Tamil Nadu, India
E-Mail:wetryit@bestdiskrecovery.com
