I am not sure what type of search you are running. It sounds like you selected one of the Format Recover options - which is the right type of search if your problem relates to a formatted, corrupt or missing hard drive.
When you run a Format Recover search you are asked to search for the default selected file types. The program finds these files by searching for their header and footer - and the files are given a name starting with "Recovered....".
The program then uses the "Recovered..." files to track down and identify the old Operating System MFT records (which are called OS in the progress window). At then end of the search the program rebuilds the old file system (including all files - not just the ones selected) and displays them to you in "Folder View" of the results screen.
The reason that I am telling you this is as follows:
Every file on a PC has a MFT record which contains the name of the file and the storage location on the disk which the file occupies. If a file is fragmented (i.e. parts of the file are stored in different locations on the disk) the only way to track the fragmentation is by finding and reading the MFT record for that file.
So the explanation for your partially corrupt files could be one of the following:
1. The files are fragmented, which means that the "Recovered..." files may not display correctly. In this instance at the end of the search you need to look in "Folder View" for your files which are the ones that have been recovered using the OS MFT records.
2. The files have been partially overwritten by other data - meaning that the files have been damaged and do not display correctly.
The best thing to do is at the end of the search check both "File View" and "Folder View". What you see in the preview window is what you will get back. The only limitation on the evaluation version is the ability to save the recovered files.
I hope this helps. There is a more detailed explanation here:
http://www.recovermyfiles.com/data-r...techniques.php