Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
Forum rules
When asking for technical support:
- Search for posts on the same topic before posting a new question.
- Give clear, specific information in the title of your post.
- Include as many details as you can, MOST POSTS WILL GET ONLY ONE OR TWO ANSWERS.
- Post a follow up with a "Thank you" or "This worked!"
- When you learn something, use that knowledge to HELP ANOTHER USER LATER.
Before posting, please read https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf
Locked
Message
Author
BlockABoots
Posts: 6
Joined: 10 Feb 2020, 19:18

Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#1 Post by BlockABoots »

So, i stupidly deleted my 3TB D Drive partition, the drive it currently in an 'unallocated' state as i dont want to convert it to a 'New Simple Drive' in fear of destroying any data on the drive, testDisk was high recommended to be so i have download it and using the GUI version qphotorec.

Im about 1hr into the the search and it has found a bunch of files which is great but looking in the directory where its placing these saved files the folder structure is not being maintained from my original drive. QPhotoRec seems to be placing the files in loads of folders named 'recup_dir.1', 'recup_dir.2', 'recup_dir.3' etc and not maintaining the directory structure and the files inside these folders appears to be randomly generated as well like 'f0015424.zip' or 'f277417224.mpg' etc and not their original names.

Im just wondering if qphotorec actual maintains file names and directory structure from the drive its recovering information from, does it actually fix the directory structure once its completed searching the partition or am i stuck with these randomly generated name and folders?. The only reason i ask is as its a 3TB drive with 1000's of files so actually identifying the files let alone renaming them will be an endless task if not and might have to try another recovery program?. I dont want to waste something like 5 hours with QPhotoRec search the partition if once its finished im left with 100's of randomly generated folder names and even more files if the program cant keep the drivers original folder structure and names

Thanks for any help

User avatar
cgrenier
Site Admin
Posts: 5432
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 15:08
Location: Le Perreux Sur Marne, France
Contact:

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#2 Post by cgrenier »

PhotoRec/QPhotoRec doesn't recover the directory structure. Files can be renamed automatically as explained in https://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk.pdf

BlockABoots
Posts: 6
Joined: 10 Feb 2020, 19:18

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#3 Post by BlockABoots »

Thanks for the reply.

Does Testdisk_win recover the directory structure?

recuperation
Posts: 2720
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#4 Post by recuperation »

Testdisk provides an export function for single files but also directory trees and keeps names and folder structures.

BlockABoots
Posts: 6
Joined: 10 Feb 2020, 19:18

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#5 Post by BlockABoots »

OK testdisk has finally finished the search and i have got this screen....

Image

but im not sure what steps i need to do next, i did press 'P' to list files but when doing so i get the following message, 'Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged' but it appears to have saved loads of folders to the J drive (but with randomly generated file names)

Do i need to change partition characteristics??

recuperation
Posts: 2720
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#6 Post by recuperation »

BlockABoots wrote: 11 Feb 2020, 19:05 OK testdisk has finally finished the search and i have got this screen....

Image

but im not sure what steps i need to do next, i did press 'P' to list files but when doing so i get the following message, 'Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged'


but it appears to have saved loads of folders to the J drive (but with randomly generated file names)
Who is "it"?

Do i need to change partition characteristics??
No, as it's already primary and bootable, as expressed by the leading star.

BlockABoots
Posts: 6
Joined: 10 Feb 2020, 19:18

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#7 Post by BlockABoots »

recuperation wrote: 11 Feb 2020, 19:59 Who is "it"?
I mean teskdisk seems to have saved some folders on my J drive......or though on further thinking this might have been left over folders form when i tired QPhotorec earlier one
recuperation wrote: No, as it's already primary and bootable, as expressed by the leading star.
so what is my next step, use the write command, or will that fail as i was getting the 'Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged' ?

recuperation
Posts: 2720
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 09:48
Location: Hannover, Deutschland (Germany, Allemagne)

Re: Does QPhotoRec Keep Original File/Folder Structure Intact??

#8 Post by recuperation »

BlockABoots wrote: 11 Feb 2020, 20:14
recuperation wrote: 11 Feb 2020, 19:59 Who is "it"?
I mean teskdisk seems to have saved some folders on my J drive......or though on further thinking this might have been left over folders form when i tired QPhotorec earlier one
" form when i tired QPhotorec earlier one" => Is that supposed to be an English sentence that I should understand?
recuperation wrote: No, as it's already primary and bootable, as expressed by the leading star.
so what is my next step, use the write command, or will that fail as i was getting the 'Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged' ?
Try a deeper search.

Locked