Disk data recovery software might just fulfill your last hope of recovering lost and deleted files.

Using disk data recovery software is great way to recover your data cheaply. One consideration: If your hard disk drive is making unusual noises, you are probably better off sending it to a a professional data recovery service, rather than trying disk data recovery software, because more severe problems may develop.

Before getting started 

Most disk data recovery software must be installed on a separate hard drive, but some boot automatically from a floppy diskette or CD. Self-booting disk data recovery software are usually the best choice, especially when your drive has mechanical problems, because they can access data even when your computer cannot start to the desktop.

Another advantage is that they are not dependent on another computer to run. This means, without getting a second drive; without using a separate computer; without disassembling your computer to hook up your problem drive; you can use the software and view which files are recoverable. If and when the disk data recovery software product proves itself, you can save your scan file, like any other document, go get anotther storage device, and then come back to recover the data at your convenience.

That being said, if your computer is in good working order, all disk data recovery software are worth the try as long as they can recover your data.   

By the way, do not install a USB, floppy or CD data recovery software download on the hard drive that you are trying to recover data from, because there is a strong possibility of overwriting the file you are trying to recover.

Why lost files can be recovered 

Disk data recovery software has been developed so that the lost data can still be recovered, although the computer system considers them inaccessible. A simple example: Deleted files can be recoverd by disk data recovery software, although they are not recognized by the operating system. Windows only modifies the first letter of the file name in the hard disk drive's file system, so technically your file is still there. So, disk data recovery software can restore your file before Windows overwrites it. Make sure you do not use your PC until you recover the file in question, because once you have saved a new files to your computer, your deleted file will probably be overwritten.

When your drive is clicking and clanking

Disk data recovery software cannot recover data from most failing drives. In this case, data recovery service companies use specialized hardware in conjunction with disk data recovery software to recover data. For example, drives are often disassembled to have parts changed; or more advanced technologies are used to extract data. Then, disk data recovery software can be used to reconstruct the files.

How much money do you have to fork over 

The cost of disk data recovery software can vary depending on what you are trying to recover. The cheapest solutions, starting at about $30 U.S., address undeleting files, or recovering digital photos, music, and video files. The average price is about $80-$100 U.S., and some range up to hundreds of dollars for the profesional versions. Services start at about a half a grand, and continue to rise depending on the circumstance. This is because most of the time, experts have to do the work manually, instead of using disk data recovery software.