These guys have been around a long time: http://www.krollontrack.com/data-recovery/ On 8/2/2011 2:07 PM, jim@jpes.com wrote: > All, > > When I worked at T.I., we had an HD crash that left us without access > to several irreplacable files. > We sent the HD off to a data recovery facility where they recovered > about 95% to 98% of the > files on the drive, and shipped the files and the remains of the drive > back to us. > The files were shipped on CD's (Probably DVD's now). All we had to do > was copythe files to > the new hard drive. > The service wasn't cheap (2-3K IIRC, and this was mid 90s dollars), but > it was worth every penny > bacause as I said, the files were virtually irreplacable. This > situation seems similar. > I can try to find the name of the recovery company and pass it on if > you would like me to. > > It would probably wind up being less expensive and certainly faster to > have the original files recovered, > rather than trying to regenerate them from object files, bit and pieces > of support data, and > ones ability at programming in C. > > I would think the programming option could takes weeks to many months > to regenerate the source code, > if it could even be done. And if it could, as other have said, there > are many other considerations > to account for such as optimizations, the specific compiler, > differences between versions, etc. > > A formidable task at best. > > > > Regards, > > Jim > > =20 >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: Re: [PIC] Code recovery expert needed >> From: "Bob Ammerman" >> Date: Tue, August 02, 2011 11:38 am >> To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." >> >> >> Reverse engineering to C source is likely to be quite difficult )-: >> >> Have all reasonable attempts been made to recover the code from the hard >> drive? It is quite likely that such a recovery, if possible, will be the >> cheapest alternative. >> >> How much has the app changed since the last backed up revision? >> >> What version of "C" is being used? >> >> How big is the app? >> >> What type of PIC is targeted? >> >> -- Bob Ammerman >> RAm Systems >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Dwayne Reid" >> To: "pic microcontroller discussion list" >> Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 11:30 AM >> Subject: [PIC] Code recovery expert needed >> >> >> =20 >>> Good day to all. >>> >>> We've been asked to assist a company recover from a fatal hard drive >>> crash. Unfortunately, I suspect that we are not the right people for t= he >>> job. >>> >>> The situation is this: this company has a fairly mature PIC-based >>> product that has undergone significant code changes over its >>> lifetime. Most or all of the PIC code is written in C. >>> >>> The company has source code for previous versions of the product but >>> has lost the current code base due to a hard drive crash. They do >>> have current hex files for the PIC(s) used in the product and want to >>> regenerate the C source code, starting with the previous versions of >>> the source and changing as required. >>> >>> I'm not even comfortable working with C, let alone being competent >>> with it. My co-worker is better with C than I am but he also does >>> not feel adequate for the job. >>> >>> So: I'm looking for someone who IS competent with C and would be able >>> to work with the resources that I have mentioned above. >>> >>> This can be handled one of two ways: we can simply hand the project >>> off completely or we can act as a middle-man, where that person would >>> subcontract to us. Either way, a non-disclosure agreement is required. >>> >>> Public discussion is welcome but private responses are appreciated. >>> >>> Many thanks! >>> >>> dwayne >>> >>> >>> PS - comments regarding the lack of backup procedures is not >>> necessary. I think that the people concerned have learned their lesson= .. >>> >>> dwayne >>> >>> --=20 >>> Dwayne Reid >>> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA >>> (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax >>> www.trinity-electronics.com >>> Custom Electronics Design and Manufacturing >>> >>> --=20 >>> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ& list archive >>> View/change your membership options at >>> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >>> =20 >> --=20 >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ& list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> =20 > > =20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .