Recovering HFS+ Partitions with Raise Data Recovery: Tips & Tricks

How to Use Raise Data Recovery for HFS+ — Step-by-StepWhen a Mac drive formatted with HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) becomes corrupted, deleted, or otherwise inaccessible, reliable recovery software can make the difference between full restoration and permanent data loss. Raise Data Recovery is a widely used tool that supports HFS+ and offers both quick and deep scanning modes, file-type recognition, and recovery of partitions and individual files. This article provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough for using Raise Data Recovery to recover files from HFS+ volumes, plus practical tips, troubleshooting advice, and best practices to improve your chances of a successful restore.

Important preliminary notes

Stop using the affected drive immediately. Continued writes may overwrite recoverable data.
Work from a different system or boot from another drive if possible, so the affected HFS+ volume remains unchanged.
Have an external drive or separate destination ready to save recovered files — never restore files back to the same device you’re recovering from.
Raise Data Recovery has different editions (Home, Professional, etc.); ensure your edition supports HFS+ recovery and the features you need (e.g., partition recovery, deep scan).
If the drive has physical issues (clicking, overheating), consider professional data recovery before running any software.

Preparation

Download and install Raise Data Recovery:
- Visit the official Raise Data Recovery website and download the appropriate installer for Windows (if you’re using a Windows machine to access the HFS+ drive) or use a compatible macOS alternative if available.
- Install the program on a different drive than the one you are trying to recover.
Connect the HFS+ drive:
- Use a direct connection (SATA/USB enclosure/adapter) that provides stable power and data transfer.
- Confirm the OS recognizes the drive (it may appear as unmountable or with no assigned volume name).
Prepare a destination disk:
- Use an external disk or separate internal drive with sufficient free space to store recovered files.

Step-by-step recovery with Raise Data Recovery

1. Launch Raise Data Recovery and choose the module

Open Raise Data Recovery. The software typically shows available drives and volumes.
Select the recovery module appropriate for your situation:
- “Recover Deleted Files” — if files were accidentally deleted but the partition still mounts.
- “Recover Lost Partitions” or “Partition Recovery” — if the HFS+ partition is missing or corrupted.
- “Complete Recovery” or “Deep Scan” — for severe corruption or when quick methods fail.

2. Select the target HFS+ volume or physical disk

Choose the specific HFS+ volume if it’s listed. If the partition is missing, select the entire physical disk to allow the program to find lost partitions.
Verify the target by checking its capacity, model, or previously known volume name.

3. Configure scan options

For a quick attempt, start with a standard scan (faster, suitable for recently deleted files).
For deeper issues, enable “Deep Scan” or “Complete Recovery.” This reads the disk sector-by-sector and recognizes file signatures, which can find files even when the file system metadata is damaged.
If the software offers file-type filters (e.g., photos, documents), enabling them can speed up scanning and narrow results.

4. Start the scan and monitor progress

Begin the scan. Deep scans can take many hours depending on disk size and health.
Monitor progress and estimated time remaining. Avoid interrupting the process unless necessary.
If the program displays recoverable files in real time, you can preview items (images, documents) to confirm integrity.

5. Review found files and mark items to recover

Use the preview function to inspect file contents where available. Raise Data Recovery often shows file paths, sizes, and recovery likelihood.
Select the files/folders you want to restore. Consider recovering entire folders if you need context (e.g., folder structure and metadata).

6. Choose recovery destination and save

Select an external destination drive (not the source HFS+ disk).
Create or select a recovery folder and begin saving recovered files.
Verify recovered files after transfer — open documents, view images, and play media to confirm integrity.

Recovering a missing or corrupted partition

If the HFS+ partition is missing or the partition table is damaged, use Raise’s Partition Recovery module.
Select the physical disk and run a complete scan for lost partitions.
The program should list found partitions; one will match your HFS+ partition (check size and file system type).
Choose the partition to recover and either:
- Recover files directly from the found partition (recommended if the partition still shows many files), or
- Attempt to restore the partition structure (only if you’re confident and have a full backup or image).

Working with disk images (recommended for fragile drives)

Create a sector-by-sector disk image (dd, ddrescue, or the software’s imaging tool) of the damaged drive to a healthy drive before recovery attempts.
Run Raise Data Recovery on the image file instead of the physical disk. This minimizes risk to the original drive and lets you retry scans or use different tools without further wear.

Tips to improve success rate

Start with non-destructive scans and avoid writing to the original drive.
Use deep scans for severe corruption; they take longer but find more files.
Recover more rather than less: recover full folders if unsure which files are critical.
If file names are missing but file contents are intact, use content-based previews to identify items.
Keep a log of actions (scans run, settings used) so you can replicate successful attempts.
If results are poor or disk hardware is failing, consult a professional data recovery service.

Common problems and troubleshooting

Drive not detected: Check power/connection, try different cables or ports, test in another machine or with a compatible SATA/USB adapter.
Read errors or slow scanning: The drive may have bad sectors; create an image with ddrescue and work from the image.
Previews not available: Try different file-type filters or allow the deep scan to finish; sometimes previews appear only after more data is reconstructed.
Recovered files are corrupted or truncated: This can happen if parts of files were overwritten; partial recovery may still salvage fragments. Try alternate recovery tools or multiple scans with different settings.
Partition recovery lists multiple similar partitions: Match by size, creation date, and known folder structure to pick the correct one.

After recovery: verification and cleanup

Verify all critical files open and are intact.
Back up recovered data to at least two separate storage locations (e.g., external drive + cloud).
If you restored the partition structure and intend to reuse the disk, consider securely wiping it and reformatting to ensure a clean file system.
If the disk shows recurring errors, replace it — continued use risks further loss.

When to seek professional help

Physical damage (clicking, failure to spin up, overheating).
Multiple failed software recovery attempts.
Extremely valuable or legally critical data where any risk of further damage is unacceptable.

Quick checklist

Stop using affected disk.
Image the disk if it shows physical issues.
Install Raise Data Recovery on a different drive.
Run an appropriate scan (start with standard, use deep for damaged file systems).
Preview and select files, recover to a separate drive.
Verify recovered data and back it up.

Raise Data Recovery is a capable tool for HFS+ recovery when used carefully. By following the steps above—preparing safely, choosing the right scan mode, working from an image when needed, and verifying recovered files—you maximize your chances of restoring lost Mac data.