VMware data recovery recommendations.

For best results, VMware recommends you follow these guidelines to protect you from further data loss. These recommendations can help preserve your chances for successful data recovery with DNS.

• Never install data recovery software onto a volume if you require deleted data to be recovered. Installing software, creating, or copying files to the volume can permanently overwrite data in the free space of the volume and make it unrecoverable.
• If critical data is inaccessible due to accidental deletion, device failure, or corruption, take the volume offline and unmount it immediately.
• If you choose to attempt data recovery on your own, always work with a backup copy or image file of your data, volume, or VMDK file.
• Re-initializing or reformatting a problematic volume will remove all data and complicate data recovery attempts.
• Only rebuild a RAID array if all of its member drives have been completely imaged, or you have a fully functional and verified backup.
• Never attempt to force a failed RAID member drive online unless you have all member drives imaged.