The FAT file system uses 2 File Allocation Tables (FATs or FAT Tables). The two FAT tables are supposed to remain synchronized. There are occasions when they aren't. This causes problems. Both FATs are located between the boot block(s) and the root directory structure.

Delete and undelete files on FAT volumes FAT file system description

The FAT file system has the file allocation table located at the beginning of a logical volume. FAT was designed for small disks and simple folder structures. Two copies of the file allocation table are stored on the volume. In the event that one copy of the file allocation table is corrupted, the other file allocation table is used.

We can recover corrupted and damaged data from the deleted or formatted FAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5 partitions.

Problem Description

FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS are the common types of file allocation tables for different operating systems. There are special files that act as maps telling your hard drive where your files are located within each of the allocation systems being used. If you have a corrupted or bad File Allocation Table, you will usually have major problems accessing your data, if you can at all. Your files will probably remain in perfect condition on the drive, but the hard drive won't know how to get to them. Often a message will appear warning of bad FAT tables if this is the problem, but not always.

Cause

The cause of bad or corrupted FAT tables can be a software or physical hard drive problem. Some viruses have targeted file allocation tables in the past. Once we have the drive in our data laboratory for our free evaluation we can tell you the likely or actual cause and extent of the damage to your drive and file system.

Solution

Call us to take advantage of our safe and professional data recovery services.