How to Recover a Deleted Database
Hard drives aren't as transparent as they might seem. Even after you delete a file from your recycling bin, its data stays on your drive, though you're unable to see it. This data will remain there until it's overwritten by another file, which means that with the right software, you can retrieve it. Although large files like databases are more vulnerable to corruption as segments are overwritten by new data, they can be recovered as readily as any other file. Still, you'll want to act fast and minimize use of your computer until the database is recovered.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Download a file-recovery program onto another computer. Free programs include Recuva, Avira UnErase, and PC Inspector File Recovery. It's important that you download the program onto a separate computer so that you don't accidentally overwrite your deleted database. If you have no other option, than you can download onto the affected drive, but be aware that doing so risks damaging your database.
-
2
Install the file recovery program to a flash drive. Remove the flash drive from the secondary computer and insert it into a USB on your affected machine.
-
-
3
Start the file recovery program.
-
4
Scan the affected drive. If you're unsure which drive the database was on, then scan all drives on your computer. The more drives you scan, the longer the process will take, averaging 30 minutes per drive on most computers.
-
5
Browse through the results, which will likely entail hundreds or even thousands of files. You can speed your search by looking specifically for database files. In the search bar, type an asterisk followed by your database's file extension, such as "*.auc" or "*.cbh".
-
6
Right-click on the database and select to "Recover" it. Open the file using your database software to verify that it hasn't been corrupted.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Hard Drive image by Tabitha Little from Fotolia.com
