SCAVEN is an effective tool and time saver in the recovering data from:
* files permanently deleted
* files lost through overwrite
* accidentally formatted drives
* drives with damaged MBR / lost partitions
* drives with corrupted FATs
* drives which developed bad sectors

SCAVEN will not help if:
* drive developed mechanical problems (strange metallic sounds)
* motor is dead (not spinning at all)
* controller failed (drive not detected by BIOS)

Note: This tool was written specifically to deal with large hard drives (> 2GB). It requires drive to have BIOS with int13h extension.

Please read README.TXT file syntax information for detailed instruction - how to use.

FEATURES
* perform multiple-string search in single pass.
* work with any size LBA hard-drive (up to 138GB should be OK).
* autodetect drive geometry (CHS and LBA)
* can access drives even not visible for DOS.
* fit on single floppy and leave a plenty of room (size <10k).
* records position of matches found as sector number:offset
* records location of bad sectors as a sector number
* use standard text files for input / output.
* was written in a plain assembler for the sake of size / speed.
* to remove program just delete its directory.

BACKGROUND
Dealing occasionally with data recovery I wanted a tool that:
1. can search for multiple strings in single pass.
2. will store results to a single file for easy
reference / post processing.
3. can access drive below OS level (absolute sectors).
4. will gracefully recover from most disk errors.
5. won't trip on bad sectors.
6. will work on LARGE hard-drives.
7. and above all - will not require my assistance nor draw my attention until is done.

being unable to find what I need - I had no option but to write one.

Those who ever had to dig the data from the drive that developed bad sectors, already know how excruciating exercise it could be (especially if it was say a 20 GB drive). In nova-days drives data are packed very densely. The same size weak spot that caused bad sector or two in 100 MB drive may cause like 100 - 200 consecutive bad sectors in the 10 GB drive. Now, if disk editor program ask user - what to do about every single bad sector - it may keep him/her tied to computer for hours until match is found. Even worst if there was more weak spots and/or data were not in continuos chain - operation may take days. SCAVEN searches hard drive for data, and record all matches plus bad-sector location to the output file without nagging the user for assistance.

Copyright © 2002 Piotr J. Walczak