My friend asked me to try and fix his loaded Sansa Clip + which wasn't playing. After opening it in MSC mode I discovered that the Music directory was empty and total of all files was only a few MB. However Disk properties showed me that it was 7Gb full. I then ran Tools -> Error Checking and Windows dutifully informed me that disk was corrupt and I should run again Allowing Windows to Fix Errors. I did that and it told me everything was fixed and that all files were placed in FOUND.000 Dir. FOUND.000 was about 7.5 GB with FILE0000-1546 . CHK. (I am aware of methods like ChkBack to scan and convert to mp3 etc BUT Original filenames and structure needed!)

Now I started getting worried that I made things worse! I have plenty of experience with Data Recovery Programs - Recuva, Restore My Files etc. and I was anyhow planning to use them to scan the drive. But NOW after CHKDSK "fixed" the drive maybe it modified critical FAT information vital for data recovery. So I run these programs and 0!!!. No trace of files! I tried a ton of Recovery Programs with same results TILL EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard found all files and I purchased program for $55!

My Question

1. In your opinion - did running CHKDSK with automatic fixing of errors make matters worse (i.e. many data recovery progs. didn't find a trace and they would have done if not for chkdsk) or was the filesystem too corrupt anyhow for regular File Recovery Progs.?

2. If I would be a Professional - would I be responsible for running CHKDSK - automatic Fixing.

3. Do you know of a better Data Recovery Program than EaseUs Data Recovery wizard - According to my experience I haven't found better!?

Thanks