How to recover fragmented mp4 files from deleted drive

[sakajo]

TL;DR: I deleted mp4 files from a HD, and I need to recover them. 

So this is the story. I deleted a bunch of .mov and .mp4 files from an external disk I had. Come years later I wanted to recover them. After using a couple of recovery softwares (EaseUS and something else) I recovered the files I wanted, but some of the mov and mp4 files were corrupted (theyd just freeze at a certain point). 

I am 100% sure I did not add any files, or even remove any files from the HD after deleting the files, so they were for sure not overwritten. 

After some research I found out that mp4 files are fragmented so the recovery software I used couldnt piece it back together. I found another program that does do de-fragmenting but it was design for microchips and my HD was 512 gb, so it was not possible to do in an adequate amount of time. 

I figured I might find an mp4 expert on here that could help me solve this problem. Thanks in advance.

 

[[deleted]]

nope. download them again bro.

 

[TheMadFaker]

Try TestDisk/Photorec or Recuva

 

[[deleted]]

Try TestDisk/Photorec or Recuva

that wont help. hes on windows. also it won't recover fragmented files

 

[TheMadFaker]

They could very well help. TestDisk/Photorec has helped recover fragmented files. Doesn't matter that he's on windows as it's very easy to boot with linux from a usb or something. I've done this all before but forget the exact steps

 

[sakajo]

They could very well help.  TestDisk/Photorec has helped recover fragmented files.  Doesn't matter that he's on windows as it's very easy to boot with linux from a usb or something.  I've done this all before but forget the exact steps

Thanks for the reply. Can you link me a guide or something? No clue how to boot with linux, never done that before. Thanks again.

 

[TheMadFaker]

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13379/create-a-bootable-ubuntu-9.10-usb-flash-drive/

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15761/recover-data-like-a-forensics-expert-using-an-ubuntu-live-cd/

https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

http://www.system-rescue-cd.org/Installing-SystemRescueCd-on-a-USB-stick/



Some to get you started.  Cant say for sure you'll get your files back with no problems, but it's possible.  I've done it before and had some success

 

[sakajo]

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13379/create-a-bootable-ubuntu-9.10-usb-flash-drive/

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15761/recover-data-like-a-forensics-expert-using-an-ubuntu-live-cd/

https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

http://www.system-rescue-cd.org/Installing-SystemRescueCd-on-a-USB-stick/



Some to get you started.  Cant say for sure you'll get your files back with no problems, but it's possible.  I've done it before and had some success

Thanks! Do these do video files too? I only see tutorials for image files. Even in the screenshots I dont see an option for mp4 files.

 

[TheMadFaker]

Yes. I think that testdisk/photorec hav mp4 as mov. It is possible to get them back and useable though. I know there's a tutorial out ther I'll look around

 

[sakajo]

Yes.  I think that testdisk/photorec hav mp4 as mov.   It is possible to get them back and useable though.  I know there's a tutorial out ther I'll look around

I thank you MadFaker.

 

[TheMadFaker]

No problem. I hope it works out for you. Those programs have worked well for me in the past

 

[sakajo]

No problem.  I hope it works out for you.  Those programs have worked well for me in the past

Does it matter if I do it through the live version vs booting into ubuntu? If I understand correctly the live version will let me launch it inside Windows. Right?