c - Is there a way to read HD data past EOF? -

is there way read file's data continue reading data on hard drive past end of file? normal file i/o use fread(), but, obviously, read end of file. , might beneficial if add need on windows computer.

all googling way instead coming results unrelated topics concerning eof, such people having problems normal i/o.

my reasoning accidentally deleted part of text in text file working on, , entire day's worth of work. googled bunch of file recovery stuff, seems recovering deleted files, problem file still there without of information, , i'm hoping of data still exists directly after marked end of file , neither fragmented elsewhere or claimed or otherwise overwritten. since can't find program helps specifically, i'm hoping can make (i understand that, depending on involved, might not feasible redoing work, i'm hoping that's not case).

as far can foresee, though might not correct (not sure, why i'm asking help), there 3 possibilities.

worst of three: have windows api functions allow direct access entire hard drive (similar functions memory, perhaps? have experience with) , scan entire thing data still have access file , continue looking @ what's after it.

second: can pointer file, still have raw access hd @ least have pointer file in it?

best of three: open file write access, seek end, write ways past eof claim more space, first hope windows won't clean data before hands on me garbage data previous data in spot i'm looking for? awesome if simple, i'm afraid test out because i'd lose data if failed, else knows. pc in question running vista home premium if matters knows gory details of windows.

do either of 3 seem plausible? whether yea or nay, i'm open (and eager) other suggestions, better silly ideas, , if come direction toward specific functions use job done.

also, if else has heard of recovery program doesn't recover deleted files work situation this, , free , trustworthy, works too.

thanks in advance assistance.

you should utility scanning free space of hard drive , recovering data it, example photorec or foremost. note if you've been using machine @ (even web browsing, create files in cache), data has been overwritten. do not save recovery tools on same hard drive, or use same pc download them; them computer , save them usb device, run them device.

as conceptual content of question, files abstract objects. there no such thing data "past eof" except (depending on implementation) perhaps next multiple of filesystem/disk "blocksize". it's possible (very likely) editor "saved" file truncating , writing newly beginning, meaning there's not correspondence between old , new storage.