Linux Data Recovery Tool ( A Product by Stellar Phoenix)

Even though Linux operating systems are secure from so many troubles created by virus/malware and some other like threats, people do not generally use them for performing their day-to-day tasks. Well, this is all due to the fact that Linux platform is not that user-friendly. However, a few other platforms like Windows and Mac OS X have grabbed considerable number of users. I personally believe that Linux would not be able to grasp as many users as the latter ones have already done.

Overview

The Linux based machines are preferred mainly in corporate as secure workstations or as servers. Thus, you can surely understand the significance of the data stored on those systems. When such a machine is formatted clean and upgraded to Windows OS after that, you must be pretty sure that not a single crucial file is lost in the mean time. Well, it does happen sometimes and cause data loss. Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery software aims at recovering your data that was lost after deleting Linux based partitions. This Windows based Linux data recovery software thoroughly scans the hard drive installed on your PC and discovers the deleted Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, and FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 file systems based partitions.

Stellar Linux data recovery software gets you an intuitive tabbed GUI (see the image below) where each tab is a separate module, which enables data recovery based on a separate recovery algorithm.

As shown in the image above, the software has four embedded modules – Data Recovery, Resume Recovery, Advance Options, and Recovery Services. Based on your requirements, you can choose the right option amongst these for data recovery or checking health status of the hard drive. The software also enlightens you about data recovery services provided by the company. Well, I’m going for a thorough review of the software features and functionality, as I’m also looking for Windows based Linux data recovery software as per my requirements.

Quick Data Recovery

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery software provides you with embedded Data Recovery module, which enables you to choose a recovery mode as per your criteria or data loss scenario. Well, since the concern here is for deleted Linux partitions, it would be appropriate if you go with Search Lost Volume option under Data Recovery tab. In this mode of recovery, the software thoroughly scans the hard drive for the deleted Linux (i.e. Ext2, Ext3, Ext4 and AT12, FAT16, FAT32) partitions, while the time elapsed in recovery is subject to the scan mode – Quick Scan or Deep Scan – selected. Quick Scan is faster and gives efficient scan results, while Deep Scan is a bit slower and more efficient. I prefer going for Deep Scan, as I do not want even a single file to be lost. It is going to take considerable amount of time, but I want the results to be satisfactory.

Resume Recovery at a Later Time

Resume Recovery is another significant module of this Linux data recovery software, which enables resuming data recovery with a Scan Information file saved earlier or a Drive Image. Well, you can create image of a partition or the entire hard drive (needs another drive to save).

However, resuming data recovery with the Scan Information file requires the original drive attached to your computer, while there is no such requirement to resume recovery with Drive Image.

Advance Options for Recovery

You can term a data recovery software as Efficient if it provides you with Halt and Resume recovery options as per your convenience. Well, you can add up this Windows based Linux data recovery software in this category, as it provided you with this feature.

You can create image of a specific partition or the entire hard drive at once. The software also has drive-cloning feature. In case you are scanning the hard drive for deleted Linux partitions, and you cannot continue with the process, the software enables you to save the Scan Information file.

The Drive Status option enables you to check the health status of the hard drive. This scans the drive for bad blocks (if any) and marks them red in the scan result. Besides, you can also see the complete information of the hard drive, such as model number, temperature, S.M.A.R.T. Status, and more.

Data Recovery Services

The software also provides information about data recovery services offered by the company, Stellar Data Recovery – an ISO 9001:2008 certified company, dealing in multiple domains, such as email recovery and repair tools, database and file repair tools, digital media files recovery tools, data recovery from numerous storage media, and more. The company also provides in-lab data recovery services from hard drives, USB flash media, RAID servers and more.

Key Feature

• Discovers deleted Linux partitions on Windows hard drive.
• Enables data recovery from discovered Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, and FAT12, FAT16, FAT32 file systems based partitions.
• Enables saving Scan Information file for data recovery at a later time.
• Enables creating image of the entire hard drive or a specific partition.
• Enables creating a clone of the hard drive.
• Features resume recovery with Scan Information as well as with Drive Image.
• Enables watching drive status.

Pros

• Intuitive GUI
• Lost/deleted files recovery
• Deleted partitions recovery
• Data recovery from recovered partitions
• Drive imaging
• Drive cloning
• Resume recovery

Cons

• Cannot save recovered data with demo version

Availability

• Single User
• Administrator
• Technician

You can download the demo version here, while paid version is available here.

The Verdict

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery software does recover lost/deleted files from existing as well as deleted Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, and FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 file systems based partitions after discovering them. The software also works as a drive-cloning tool on Windows platform. I personally am going to use this full-fledged data recovery software as well as recommend to you for the same.