Optical Media Recovery

Logical causes for data loss from optical media

Session has not been ended correctly

The most common cause for data loss from optical media is not ending a session properly, which means the burning process is not completed. The media seems to be fully occupied but no files are shown. It can also occur that only a tiny bit of the capacity is shown as a maximum. In these cases the data is still there, but getting to it is a very complex process and only possible if you have special hardward at hand. Attingo uses specifically manipulated CD, DVD and BluRay drives for that.

Error source burning program

People tend to forget checking if all files are on the media after a burning process. It often happens that some files are left out during the process. This can be due to large file size or non-standardised file names. If you don't check the media immediately you may think the data got lost in the course of tim.

Deleted files on rewritable optical media

With rewritable media it's possible to delete data. If you want to restore the deleted files it works the same way as with hard drives, but it's more challenging, because the drives forbid access after deleting and specifically manipluated drives have to be used. You also have to keep in mind that rewritable optical media can only be written on from the beginning to the end and files are physically present until they are overwritten.