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IsoPuzzle is CD/DVD recovery software. The goal of this program is to recover as much as possible data of damaged, bad burned or scratched CDs or DVDs. This version is experimental and supports only data CDs and DVDs with sectorsize of 2048 byte - Audio CD, VCD and SVCD are not supported. Requires ASPI.dll.
Freeware
OS:
File size: 93KB
Portable version
Other versions
Old versions
Version history
OS:
File size: 93KB
Portable version
Other versions
Old versions
Version history
Screenshots
Latest version
Download
Download old versions
Software License
Supported operating systems
Windows More information and other downloads
Requires ASPI.dll. Put it in the same folder as IsoPuzzle.exe.
Version history / Release notes / Changelog / What's New
1.7 Extended single sector reading, Delete flag & import file on success
Import function reviewed, Pause time decisions improved
Lot of Bugfixes (probably last sector missing due to aspi(?),
crash on more than 8 drives, unmountable disk prevents give up,
possibly corruped flagfile on ripping attempt to locked image)
Import function reviewed, Pause time decisions improved
Lot of Bugfixes (probably last sector missing due to aspi(?),
crash on more than 8 drives, unmountable disk prevents give up,
possibly corruped flagfile on ripping attempt to locked image)
View full changelog
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Acronyms / Also Known As
Download IsoPuzzle Portable download from the Download links under Download and Download other versions!
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| 12 reviews, Showing 1 to 5 reviews |
Try this I have found sometimes it will speed the recovery process with ISOPuzzle
1. Insert the disc first then select [Force Size] Button
2. Select from drop menu [Estimated]
4. Start Recovery
I have found it will recover sectors far faster than default [Drive Reported]
Tested two CDs that are in a Bad state, thankfully I do not have any others like them. Drive used an older DVD-RW drive with ISOPuzzle in default mode it would spend many hours for a disc and not getting any where.
Later many months later I decided to test with v1.7 but selected different modes other than default and found that Estimated worked far quicker for the same drive. Tested also with v1.6 and both with another DVD-RW drive same results. Instead of a day or more one recovered in 1-2 hours and the other about 4 hours or near that.
I have tried again since using different drive both ISOPuzzle versions with default and wait forever again I cancelled both each time after an hour. And with Estimated would recover sectors faster seen as Blue bars on the UI far faster and more than default mode.
That was for me maybe do the same for you.
I have had another disc recently both modes were taking forever. I haven't yet recovered that disc. But will do when a drive has failed writing and at it's end of life. I will do then if it can still read discs.
-
@videohelp.com please do add more recovery and optical disc tools, we need to know of them and be using them. Please place them all in one tool section so able to see them all in a list at the same time. Which is not how it is now mostly scattered here and there.
1. Insert the disc first then select [Force Size] Button
2. Select from drop menu [Estimated]
4. Start Recovery
I have found it will recover sectors far faster than default [Drive Reported]
Tested two CDs that are in a Bad state, thankfully I do not have any others like them. Drive used an older DVD-RW drive with ISOPuzzle in default mode it would spend many hours for a disc and not getting any where.
Later many months later I decided to test with v1.7 but selected different modes other than default and found that Estimated worked far quicker for the same drive. Tested also with v1.6 and both with another DVD-RW drive same results. Instead of a day or more one recovered in 1-2 hours and the other about 4 hours or near that.
I have tried again since using different drive both ISOPuzzle versions with default and wait forever again I cancelled both each time after an hour. And with Estimated would recover sectors faster seen as Blue bars on the UI far faster and more than default mode.
That was for me maybe do the same for you.
I have had another disc recently both modes were taking forever. I haven't yet recovered that disc. But will do when a drive has failed writing and at it's end of life. I will do then if it can still read discs.
-
@videohelp.com please do add more recovery and optical disc tools, we need to know of them and be using them. Please place them all in one tool section so able to see them all in a list at the same time. Which is not how it is now mostly scattered here and there.
Review by June 2022 on
Jun 8, 2022 Version: 1.7
OS: WinXP Ease of use: 8/10
Functionality: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
This is a tool to have handy it does what it does and has options others don't have. But what it does do better than all the others is it never gives up. And it never stops to ask what to do like all the other dumb softwares do. Or asks but never applies when do answer, ISOBuster for example had that bug for over two decades it's author knew of it but couldn't be bothered ever to fix it.
WinASPI there are many sure most are for HDD and not Optical Discs but a few are. Such as FrogASPI. Get one of those which are many rename it to WinASPI.dll and place it in ISOPuzzle folder and it will use that instead. Yes the program was made or optimized for Nero WinAPSI.dll but when in need another combination may work.
Also what is good is the flag file which is made as soon as it start recovering a disc. You can the use that in any drive and yes all drives do recover differently that it is said that drives than can first write are better than ROM read only drives. And those can can RW Read Write Discs are better again for data recovery drives.
FLG (flag) file works like this have two drives no matter where they are located on same pc or different PC. To use flag file you place the disc in another drive and select Force Size after the disc has loaded then select to use the flag file. Choose the correct flag file and OK. Then select start it will ask for .ISO image to load.
A. If you have the .ISO file recovered so far it will continue to recover data.
B. With no .ISO present Select OK and will continue but will instead use the flag file what it know has been recovered and from where as A. above does but instead will make and IMP (import file). Which can be later merged to the .ISO that was partially recovered earlier. To do this copy the IMP file to the PC that has the ISO and choose the Import button and continue from there.
It is a huge shame on the developer that IsoPuzzle UI cannot be resized and it is way to small. Which also means the progress bar which is very much needed to be viewed is also very small. If the developer ever continues this should be one of the first fixes that needs to be fixed. The software need to be capable of expanding to full screen and all the UI details fill the screen window. Also make the progress meter larger this is needed.
Also when using with Never Give Up mode a time out and time restart which user can enter manually these time can be entered in UI [ ] manually. The check tick boxes to enable them. This way never give up mode is made so drive can continue forever until it reaches the end or user stops it when they are happy to do so.
Take a break every [60] minutes
Continue after [15] minutes
Some one mentioned the progress jumps around. No that is intended but you don't see the progress bar easily which as said really should be fixed. Full screen UI would make the progress bar fill the screen easier to see. The program does loops of the data to recover it. So read all the data on disc in a loop each pas along the progress bar. To see loop details The Log Window Option on the UI radio buttons increase the verbose to how much info you need. Have just verbose alone shows you the loops how many reads have been found and errors found. That said the error are erratic and don't seem to make sense to me, but that maybe more read found more errors that can be revealed!
The idea of the flag file and the import file functions are so good imagine if other developers also developed their tools to use the same flag and import file from ISOPuzzle visa-versa either way. Then we would have better capability of all optical disc recovery tools. That said the other tools do need to get rid of asking what to do when error is encountered or at least a fully working option do not ask that always remembers that so recover never gives up. When can decide when to pause and then continue later using the flag file. With same software or any other software.
Someone also mentioned disc blew up in a BD drive. Yes I have had that twice since the mid eighties both times because of the same problem. Once with a CD drive and second time with a BD drive. Both times because the disc was defected, which most times many people will fail to notice. A crack in the centre of the disc manufacture defect disc. When that happens speed will blow up the disc and drive cleaning is needed or a new replacement drive. Next time you have such discs don't write them instead return them don't accept single discs replacements as they maybe be damaged by time you get them. Ask for money back they will claim from manufacture and so in turn maybe make in turn manufacture places better checks so doesn't happen in future. If you do have such discs and are written on best try to read them on older drive if have one but use a software than can read at x1 speed slower the the better. There are such tools that can do that I forget but they will be very old tools by now. Also maybe your drive slowest speed for the disc maybe not x1 but x2 so tool needs to work and apply speed you require. ISOPuzzle has the ability to set read speed.
Also it would be great if could add audio disc extraction to ISO file as does with data discs. Copyright is not an issue since we own the discs as we own dvd disc we recover. So ISOPuzzle needs able to extract all modes not just 2048 data mode.
What is missing ISOPuzzle developer and updates.
What is not needed is enforcement of shareware or purchase. Please keep it free fully capable to recover all and every disc with all functions working.
WinASPI there are many sure most are for HDD and not Optical Discs but a few are. Such as FrogASPI. Get one of those which are many rename it to WinASPI.dll and place it in ISOPuzzle folder and it will use that instead. Yes the program was made or optimized for Nero WinAPSI.dll but when in need another combination may work.
Also what is good is the flag file which is made as soon as it start recovering a disc. You can the use that in any drive and yes all drives do recover differently that it is said that drives than can first write are better than ROM read only drives. And those can can RW Read Write Discs are better again for data recovery drives.
FLG (flag) file works like this have two drives no matter where they are located on same pc or different PC. To use flag file you place the disc in another drive and select Force Size after the disc has loaded then select to use the flag file. Choose the correct flag file and OK. Then select start it will ask for .ISO image to load.
A. If you have the .ISO file recovered so far it will continue to recover data.
B. With no .ISO present Select OK and will continue but will instead use the flag file what it know has been recovered and from where as A. above does but instead will make and IMP (import file). Which can be later merged to the .ISO that was partially recovered earlier. To do this copy the IMP file to the PC that has the ISO and choose the Import button and continue from there.
It is a huge shame on the developer that IsoPuzzle UI cannot be resized and it is way to small. Which also means the progress bar which is very much needed to be viewed is also very small. If the developer ever continues this should be one of the first fixes that needs to be fixed. The software need to be capable of expanding to full screen and all the UI details fill the screen window. Also make the progress meter larger this is needed.
Also when using with Never Give Up mode a time out and time restart which user can enter manually these time can be entered in UI [ ] manually. The check tick boxes to enable them. This way never give up mode is made so drive can continue forever until it reaches the end or user stops it when they are happy to do so.
Take a break every [60] minutes
Continue after [15] minutes
Some one mentioned the progress jumps around. No that is intended but you don't see the progress bar easily which as said really should be fixed. Full screen UI would make the progress bar fill the screen easier to see. The program does loops of the data to recover it. So read all the data on disc in a loop each pas along the progress bar. To see loop details The Log Window Option on the UI radio buttons increase the verbose to how much info you need. Have just verbose alone shows you the loops how many reads have been found and errors found. That said the error are erratic and don't seem to make sense to me, but that maybe more read found more errors that can be revealed!
The idea of the flag file and the import file functions are so good imagine if other developers also developed their tools to use the same flag and import file from ISOPuzzle visa-versa either way. Then we would have better capability of all optical disc recovery tools. That said the other tools do need to get rid of asking what to do when error is encountered or at least a fully working option do not ask that always remembers that so recover never gives up. When can decide when to pause and then continue later using the flag file. With same software or any other software.
Someone also mentioned disc blew up in a BD drive. Yes I have had that twice since the mid eighties both times because of the same problem. Once with a CD drive and second time with a BD drive. Both times because the disc was defected, which most times many people will fail to notice. A crack in the centre of the disc manufacture defect disc. When that happens speed will blow up the disc and drive cleaning is needed or a new replacement drive. Next time you have such discs don't write them instead return them don't accept single discs replacements as they maybe be damaged by time you get them. Ask for money back they will claim from manufacture and so in turn maybe make in turn manufacture places better checks so doesn't happen in future. If you do have such discs and are written on best try to read them on older drive if have one but use a software than can read at x1 speed slower the the better. There are such tools that can do that I forget but they will be very old tools by now. Also maybe your drive slowest speed for the disc maybe not x1 but x2 so tool needs to work and apply speed you require. ISOPuzzle has the ability to set read speed.
Also it would be great if could add audio disc extraction to ISO file as does with data discs. Copyright is not an issue since we own the discs as we own dvd disc we recover. So ISOPuzzle needs able to extract all modes not just 2048 data mode.
What is missing ISOPuzzle developer and updates.
What is not needed is enforcement of shareware or purchase. Please keep it free fully capable to recover all and every disc with all functions working.
Review by Looking For An Updated Version on
Feb 7, 2021 Version: 1.6 + 1.7
OS: WinXP Ease of use: 10/10
Functionality: 10/10
Value for money: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
this tiny size but huge functionality software is amazing .. in the beginning i thought it's a spyware or a crap .. but soon it did what is should do.. thanks a lot programming crew .. U saved my memorial pictures ..
Review by ahmed alasadi on
Apr 22, 2020 Version: 1.7
OS: Windows 7 Ease of use: 7/10
Functionality: 10/10
Value for money: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
This is pretty amazing. Using another program (a CD backup program), I tried making an .ISO from a CD -- and it took an hour (normally takes less than 10 minutes), didn't report any errors, and left me with an unusable .ISO file. Using another program (a CD recovery program), in about an hour I was able to get some good files, but still perhaps 20% of the main large file was bad.
With ISO Puzzle, it got all the good (easy to read) sectors in less than 10 minutes, getting down to about 30 bad sectors. After another 10 minutes or so, it got down to 10 bad sectors. It's been running for an hour now, and got 4 more of the bad sectors. I'm hoping to get a full recovery, but if not, it's already done more than the other programs.
If it isn't able to get those last 6 sectors, I'm going to try the "import" function -- this lets you try to read the remaining bad sectors on a different drive. Different drives have slightly different tolerances and such, which might allow the sectors to be read there.
For ASPI.dll, you just need to download it and have it in the same directory as IsoPuzzle.
With ISO Puzzle, it got all the good (easy to read) sectors in less than 10 minutes, getting down to about 30 bad sectors. After another 10 minutes or so, it got down to 10 bad sectors. It's been running for an hour now, and got 4 more of the bad sectors. I'm hoping to get a full recovery, but if not, it's already done more than the other programs.
If it isn't able to get those last 6 sectors, I'm going to try the "import" function -- this lets you try to read the remaining bad sectors on a different drive. Different drives have slightly different tolerances and such, which might allow the sectors to be read there.
For ASPI.dll, you just need to download it and have it in the same directory as IsoPuzzle.
Review by Scott on
Nov 26, 2019 Version: 1.7
OS: Windows 8 64-bit Ease of use: 8/10
Functionality: 10/10
Value for money: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
Rating by Alex on
Feb 18, 2019 Version: 1.7
OS: Windows 7 64-bit Ease of use: 10/10
Functionality: 10/10
Value for money: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
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