Fixing a corrupt .avi file

[flame20]

Hi everyone,

I'm lost and I would like to see if your expertise can assist... Not one of technical mind, I've brought myself here in the hope I can resolve my problem...

1. I recorded a video on my device which saved an .avi file which I viewed no problem when the device was connected via usb.

2. I then cut and paste this .avi video file from the device folder on to a memory stick - this seemed to be fine when transferring.

3. I have since returned to the memory stick and tried to view the .avi file again, but it will not play on anything (Windows Media Player, QuickTime, VLC Player, etc) - none of these appear to recognise the file.

Because I cut and paste the file, the original file is no longer there and the only version i have is the pasted version on the memory stick.

Below are some of the things I've tried, all to no avail (I've been Googling all day as I'd love this video to be viewable again):

1. Copied file to various locations (desktop, new folders, etc)

2. Renamed the file extension (from .avi to .mov for example)

3. Discovered the file is showing as an .undf file.

4. Tried using various programs (DivFix++, etc) to repair file, but nothing.

I'm completely baffled. Is this a lost cause? I'd be devastated if it is and I've lost the file.

I eagerly await any help on this - I'll be eternally grateful.

Thank you

[smrpix]

It's well known that devices make terrible avi files. Gadgets are much preferred here, though I'm partial to Thingamabobs myself.

Without knowing anything about the file, or even what device it was recorded on, no one's going to be able to help much. So please fill in some of those gaps.

[flame20]

It was recorded on my son's video watch (I'm unsure of the device brand name) - it saves videos as .avi files, all of which we have no problem viewing. It appears the problem originated from the cut and paste on to the memory stick.

It's file name is MOVI0001.avi

Please forgive me - I struggle to keep up with these technological things at the best of times.

[Cornucopia]

How did you "discover the file is showing as a .undf file"? From what I can tell, that sounds like VLC just saying it's unrecognized/unrecognizable. Doesn't mean it really IS, just that it looks that way to VLC.

Open the file in MediaInfo and post the text output/report (here). Again, more info (device model#, etc), please!

Scott

[flame20]

@Cornucopia - I will do. Can you guide me on how to get that text output/report please?

[flame20]

This is all the info that's displayed on MediaInfo... it's not looking great I assume, given the lack of any additional info...

General
Complete name : G:\MOVI0001.avi
File size : 1.13 GiB

[flame20]

This is the message I get when I try to play it on VLC Media Player

No suitable decoder module: VLC does not support the audio or video format "undf". Unfortunately there is no way for you to fix this.

[Krispy Kritter]

As noted above, "undf" simply means undefined (ie; unrecognized/unrecognizable ).

As MediaInfo doesn't return any information, I'd say the file is toast.

[Cornucopia]

Open in a hex editor and post the 1st 100 or so bytes...

Not looking good.

Scott

[Cornucopia]

I notice you never actually get around to saying what your "device" is that recorded this...

OK, so you "cut & pasted" it from the device to Windows/HDD/FlashStick. That means you may have (inadvertantly) deleted it from the DEVICE. So, run a undelete recovery tool on the DEVICE's storage media (MAKING SURE TO REMEMBER TO NEVER SAVE BACK TO THAT SAME MEDIA). Hopefully you haven't since recorded OTHER things onto that device, thereby possibly writing on top of where the old file used to be and rendering the chances of recovery impossible.

Let us know what you have, and maybe this can be recovered.

Scott