Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery Review

#1 wedding albums

thanks!! i need this software!

Really thanks!

2:27 pm - Thursday, September 4, 2008

#2 Marilou Young

I recently purchased the Stellar Photo Recovery software for Windows and I am not happy with the program. It did not recover all of the deleted photos from my digital camera memory stick. What it did recover were photos that I had already recovered using a free photo recovery software (different company). I am totally frustrated with their tech support people as well. Every time I call, I have to start from the beginning explaining the problem, even though I had a ticket number. It is always a different person when I call and he would say that he can't find the ticket number and so forth. They finally sent me a link to the software with a new license number because they said that I needed an upgraded version. When I used it, it retrieved all my photos including the ones that were not recovered before. The problem now was that they are all thumbnail size so I can't even make 4x6 prints out of them! They claim that they guarantee their program will work or they will refund the money. This is not true either. I just keep getting the run around and the company does not respond to my request for a refund of my purchase.

10:13 am - Saturday, June 27, 2009

#3 David

I downloaded the trial version of Photo Recovery (version 3.2) to see if corrupted files were worth recovering. The software showed good previews and so I purchased the software and recovered the files. However, what was recovered were files with lines and a mixture of various files making up a montage of photographs.

I then emailed the company explaining the software did not recover what was displayed and asked for a refund. They suggested I try an older version of the software (version 3.0.2.0) and this time the preview displayed what was to be recovered and that was images with lines and a montage of photographs.

I tried to explain to the company again by email that had the software originally downloaded displayed the same as the older version I would not have purchased the software and was still seeking a refund.

This is a glitch in the newer software that people wanting to use their software need to know about so they don't get hoodwinked in purchasing the software.

The companies response to my concerns have been far from sympathetic and I am now trying to obtain a refund by other means!

Buyers beware...

9:15 pm - Thursday, September 3, 2009

#4 James

Hi David, Stop spamming the Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery Reviews. I have seen a lot of copy and pasted the same comment across the internet. This is really ridiculous. I do not why you are doing this. People aware of this guy, who is just a spammer. nothing else.

6:39 am - Thursday, December 17, 2009

#5 Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

I too had used this [url="http://www.stellarphoenixphotorecovery.com"]
Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery[/url] Software and got good outcome. This is really great as it has recovered my all deleted and even corrupt picture files within seconds and that too without loosing the quality of files. Even I had suggested many of my friends and kown ones to make use of this software.

Thanks, for letting me know about this. Reviews has only initiated me to have this software once and make its certain use and now I'm very pleased by using this.

12:09 pm - Thursday, February 4, 2010

#6 Peter

This software corrupted my Windows 7 Operating System.

We decided to try the software to recover some photos, after we installed this crappy software every application that we tried to start redirected back to the Stellar Software. For example, select Start | Programs | Accessories | Notepad, and Stellar Pheonix Photo Recovery started. We tried to uninstall. No luck, it was still there running from the F#$#@$@G Recycle Bin. Using the DOS interface I went into the recycle bin, deleted the executable, but after a reboot I had another copy. Just like a @#$@#$ virus.

I tried a System Restore, and the process failed due to something blocking it.

So after having a new PC for only a month, my only choice was to reformat the hard drive and re-install everything.

I Thank Stellar for wasting my weekend.

Peter

11:54 pm - Sunday, March 28, 2010

#7 Ted

Stellar Data Photo Recovery Software much less than Stellar (1 more unhappy customer)

Big Problems, false claims, poor customer service.

After several weeks of email communications, I have given up and am posting the data to warn others.

I purchased Stellar Data Recovery Software after I lost 1000 pictures during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2010. It was an event, and I saw the pics before the crash. The computer was moved during transfer. I own both Lexar and Norton recovery software, but neither were able to recover my files. I have no virus nor system problems on my computer. The computer was moved during transfer.

Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery software stated on their web site
http://www.stellarinfo.com/mac-photo-recovery.htm

"Mac photo recovery software can restore lost media files under below mentioned reasons :
• Accidental deletion of the multimedia file(s).
• Pulling out the memory card while the camera is still on.
• Formatting the memory card or the storage device's hard drive.
• Switching off the camera while data is being written onto a memory card.
• File system corruption.
• Error in read/write process."

I filled the form providing all of the details and got back a response of
"Kindly let us know the exact problem that you are experiencing with our software so that we can understand the problem and assist you accordingly." (It would have been nice if they read the form they asked me to fill out.)

I answered with "my computer can see the files, some show as pictures, some show as just files, but your software does not even see the corrupted files." (I supplied all the other info again.)

Stellar then responded with "Kindly let us know if you wish to recover the lost / deleted files from the system or do you want to repair corrupted files which you are not able to open after recovery."

After a few more frustrating exchanges, I got the message "the files that you want to repair are corrupted and the software can only recover lost / deleted files from the system. It cannot repair any corrupted file, the software will recover the files exactly as they are found on the drive."

I said that your software does not see the files on the card, but my computer does see the files.

After noting that their web site says it can deal with file system corruption, I was treated to several emails stating " It cannot repair any corrupted file".

I pointed out that offering a service and then saying it does not exist after payment is dishonest and illegal.

I wrote "If your software cannot help me as advertised, please refund $$$.
If you can not to help, please pass me on to a manager.
Do I need go to my credit card and refuse payment?"

To which I was offered a token, partial refund.

I responded with "This is not about the small amount of money I spent purchasing your software; this is a matter of ethics. What you are doing is wrong! 
 I would have easily given up the $39 if you had offered to change your ads and web pages.   No thank you!"

This has become my small contribution toward ethics in advertising. I realize that Stellar software does recover files in many cases and it may work for you and you case. But if it does not work for you, do not expect a refund or good customer service.

Most other brands of recovery software provide real customer orientated customer service.

Ted

6:40 pm - Sunday, November 7, 2010

#8 nico

this is realy nice software.
i used 2 weeks ago to recover my photo's on my corrupted sd-memory from my camera, and i get my all my photo's back.

3:49 pm - Thursday, February 10, 2011

#9 Ted

I am glad it works for some people. It does not work for some others and the company does not deal well with the customers that complain "it does not work".
It is ver, very difficult to get a refund!! And they treat you (me) like %$#@$%

There are other software recovery companys who's software works just as well (not recovering everyone's photos), but at least they treat you well.

I suggest Lexar software.
Ted

12:33 am - Friday, February 11, 2011

#10 james

This is a wonderful software. Recovered all my photos and videos from a 4 GB SD card. Used the latest version stellar phoenix photo recovery 4.0 . Download and tried and finally purchased from this site. I loosed the hope before using this software. but now i am very happy to recover all those memorable photos. Surely recommend this product.

9:23 am - Friday, May 20, 2011

#11 james

The Stellar phoenix photo recovery 4.0 works for me. Was really frustrated when i lost all my photos & videos stored in 4 GB SD card. When one of my friend suggested to use this software, as he has already used it. Found this a nice software with great features.Surely recommend this product .

9:27 am - Friday, May 20, 2011

#12 Ted Perry

Apparently the software works for some problems and not for others. Be sure you read carefully the company's disclaimer. If not, you will not get a refund if the software fails. Try other brands before you resort to this one. The customer service is nasty and does not want to respond to problems.

3:56 pm - Friday, May 20, 2011

#13 Borgbjerg

The program did show some thumbnails on a formatted CF photo card but could not recover the photos.

Its told that if the trial show the thumbnails the full program will be able to recover the photos, NOT TRUE!!

The support told me the photos were corrupted. They were not since a free program called "Zero Assumption Recovery" (ZAR) in the end in 5 min recovered all 37 photos without any problems. The company

Stellar is (of course) not willing to return the money. I think its their only concern to get your money........

2:01 pm - Monday, June 20, 2011

#14 Ted Perry

WARNING ! DANGER ! WARNING ! DANGER !

Yes, You are correct. Their only concern is money. The software can recover some types of errors but not others. This comment stream is meant to warn people.

The software CAN recover some errors, it CANNOT recover other errors.

THE COMPANY DOSE NOT CARE . . . Money is important.

BUY other companies recovery software ie Lexar etc.

3:41 pm - Monday, June 20, 2011

#15 Mac photo recovery

can you specify the sort of error you are talking but the software doesn't recover If I can help

4:45 am - Friday, June 24, 2011

#16 Borgbjerg

Hi Mac

For me when running a formatted (by mistake) CF card with 37 photos on the preview shows the pictures on the CF card. Then after buing the program the full scan (took 5 hours) didnt show anything. I have been in contact with techincal support but they cant help. As descirbed a free program just recovered the photos in 5 min! For me it seems that Stellar have just made a Cash Cow and they dont want to refund you if it dosent work for you. The technical support is no good.

So stay away from the Stellar program and try the free programs available.

7:54 am - Friday, June 24, 2011

#17 Mac photo recovery

You were only able to recover thumbnails, after formatting the card pictures were corrupt
So after scanning you could preview those thumbnails but after recovery, files failed to open due to corruption.

You have also mentioned that you were given a free application which was actually meant to recover thumbnails.
In this case since the file was corrupt, its recovery is not possible.
Also, most of the times CF Cards have FAT file system and after formatting ‘Root Directory’ is refreshed.
If file is continuously saved, it is recovered and if its fragmented then recovery is not complete. This might be the reason that you didn't get the data recovered.

Hope you will understand that recovery software too have some limitations and this is not the case only with Stellar any XYZ photo recovery software will have certain limitations.

In this case you can't blame the software or the company.

9:47 am - Friday, June 24, 2011

#18 Borgbjerg

The files are NOT corrupt! As I mentioned.

Another software program called "Zero Assumption Recovery" did the job Stellar couldn't!

Now I have the files, full size, not corrupt, thanks to ZAR (not Stellar).

I'm only upset because the promise was that if the thumbnails could be seen the Stellar would be able to recover the photos! And Stellar will not refund even their software didn't deliver as promised.

So my task now is to inform other people before they go for Stellar.

Other peoples possible good experience with the Stellar program is welcome and then new buyers can make up their own opinion.

3:44 pm - Friday, June 24, 2011