getting started

[jwixson]

i just discovered this site and am trying out tools, just now DiskPatch.
i love the idea of being able to diagnose and repair the drive myself.
Since it is all new to me, i would like to read as much as i can on your tools, how to look at a drive, partition, file, table etc.
i see lots of FYIs and particular solutions, and a highly hyperlinked information file, but would like to have a manual or reading guide which would put everyting in one place, so that i can read it from end to end - and print that out.
Is there such a thing (where)?  What's the best way to learn how to use these tools - other than trying them out?
in hope...

[Joep]

Hi,

Here's a bit on on-disk structures that can be manipulated/fixed by DiskPatch:
http://www.diydatarecovery.nl/kb_disk_general_article.htm

[jwixson]

Joep,
thank you for the reply.  I did not see that you had replied until just now, since my "hello jwixson" message says that i have zero messages.  I am slowly learning something about DIYDR (tho only slowly).

i think that the idea behind DIY is wonderful, and would love to learn how to use their tools.
in that regard, i could hope that there is an article somewhere (and i note the article you referred me to, and have read it) which would give me a SYSTEMATIC APPROACH to READING and DIAGNOSING disks - what tool to use, how to use it, what to look for, etc.  This would be more satisfactory than (say) running DiskPatch and sending the report to you (which i have done), and waiting to be told the next thing to do.

i hope that there IS such documentation, somewhere.  Maybe a book that you know of?
These tools could be so very valuable...

Anyhow, i will now look at each message i have posted, individually, to see if there has been an answer posted.
thank you!
jw

[Tom]

Well, Google is your friend, as they say. We aim to help the home user with his or her recovery problems as they develop, we're not in the business of educating people. So if you have a problem we're here to help, but that is where it ends. Please note though that all our help is free of charge (though it would be nice if you'd say some kind words about us to your friends).
It should be said that our documentation has a lot of information on disks in general and on how to tackle certain issues. A tough read if you just dive in without any goals, but it will most certainly teach you lots of stuff.
Also, the search tool on the web pages may be of help when confronted with a recovery situation.

[jwixson]

Joep,
i agree that sometimes Google is our only friend (*sigh*).
Maybe when the Chinese are running things, they will bring back writing.  (They have a long tradition.)

I feel sure that there are articles and books out there on how to troubleshoot corrupted drives, and possibly some other readers have seen some.  I have seen many suggestions on the web, but no systematic approach.

I certainly will tell my friends about my experiences with DIYDR and, as said, am grateful that there are tools i can use, myself, rather than having to rely on Black Boxes (like File Scavenger), which simply say "run me, take what you get and be happy."

Thank you,
jw