Can the data on this DVD be saved??? "Alias cannot be opened"

[ursli]

Hello all

please please help me: I tried to be a good researcher and burn my research data onto DVDs a) for back-ups and b) to make some space on my puter for a video editing project. I (think I) created a disk image, put the data in it, and burned the disk image onto DVD. I double-checked that everything had burned correctly (or so I thought) by ejecting the DVD and re-inserting it, and everything was there. Then I deleted the disk image by putting it in my trash, and all the files in it from my hard drive as well (to make room).

Fast forward 3 weeks: I need to access some of the data on the DVD. I insert the DVD, open it up and double-click the disk image. The computer tells me: "The alias 'Fieldwork Data' cannot be opened because the original item cannot be found". Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Is there any way I can access the data on this DVD? I don't care how much it costs. I need the stuff I (ostensibly) burned onto that DVD!

Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Ness

 

[Blue Velvet]

What files with what extensions are on the DVD? Can you list the relevant contents?

You haven't just burned an alias onto the DVD? (I hope).

 

[Killyp]

It looks like you just burned an Alias to the DVD. No, there is no way of recovering the data. The key with backing up is to check each and every backup with another computer.

 

[ursli]

They were mostly MP3 recordings of interviews. But I just checked the file info for the alias on the DVD, and the size is only 35KB. So I guess Killyp is right and I'm screwed.

Ok, I'll go and cry now. This is a disaster.

Thanks for your quick help!

 

[Blue Velvet]

If it hadn't happened three weeks ago, there may have been (and might still be a slim chance) that the data may be able to be recovered but you will have to purchase some software to do so.

Trials of software like TechTool Pro or FileSalvage can show you whether the data is recoverable but you need the full version to recover the data... it depends on how much the data is worth to you.

 

[ursli]

Thanks, BV. This stuff is very important, so I'd be happy to pay for recovery if it's possible. Currently trying to locate someone who could do it in my very remote (and PC-loving) area in Scotland.

Thanks for your help!
Ness

 

[Blue Velvet]

Thanks, BV. This stuff is very important, so I'd be happy to pay for recovery if it's possible. Currently trying to locate someone who could do it in my very remote (and PC-loving) area in Scotland.

The most important thing to do is to stop using the computer.

Every time the hard drive gets accessed, the chances of your files being overwritten increase. Three weeks have passed; it's not looking good.

Download the trial of FileSalvage from here, run it and see if the data can be recovered before spending any money on someone who will probably do the same thing. If it can be recovered, then purchasing the software ($80US) to unlock the recovery process might be a better use of your time.

One point to bear in mind: Scanning the drive can take many hours depending on its capacity.

Edit: From reading your earlier posts, I now see that you're in quite a remote location without broadband.