Specialized software used for data recovery

Consistency checkers

CHKDSK

A consistency checker for DOS and Windows systems.

Disk First Aid

A consistency checker for Mac OS 9.

Disk Utility

A consistency checker for Mac OS X.

fsck

A consistency checker for UNIX filesystems.

File recovery tools

PhotoRec

A file recovery tool designed to extract image files (photos) and other document files from failed storage devices including hard disks and digital cameras.

Forensic toolkits

The Coroner's Toolkit

A suite of utilities aimed at assisting in forensic analysis of a UNIX system after a break-in.

The Sleuth Kit

A suite of forensic analysis tools for UNIX, Linux and Windows systems. Includes the Autopsy forensic browser.

Imaging tools

ddrescue

The GNU tool for imaging failing harddrives.

SpinRite

A well-known imager written in x86 assembly language.

Partition recovery

Parted

A program for creating, destroying, resizing, checking, and copying partitions.

TestDisk

A utility designed to recover lost or damaged partitions on a wide variety of systems.