FAQ: How can I recover an EDF file from the Host PC?

[Jono]

If an eye-tracking session is terminated before the EDF file can be transferred from the Host PC to the Display PC, you can still retrieve the file manually. The Host PC automatically creates and saves the original EDF locally. You can retrieve the original file from the Host PC by following these steps:

EyeLink 1000 or EyeLink II

• Recover file manually
  
  1. Reboot the Host PC to Windows.
     
  2. Navigate to the EyeLink drive (typically D: or E:)
     
  3. Locate the EDF file on the Host PC:
     • EyeLink II: /EYELINK2/DATA/ folder
       
     • EyeLink 1000: /ELCL/DATA/ foolder
       
  4. Use a USB memory stick to retrieve the file. NOTE: Always remove the USB drive from the Host PC before rebooting into the EyeLink operating system, as it can cause functional issues.
     
• Recover file with GetFile.exe
  Alternatively, you can transfer the file directly to the Display PC using the getfile.exe application. You can find this application in the following directory on your Display PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\SR Research\EyeLink\bin\. To use it:
  
  1. Make sure the Host PC is powered on and running the host software.
     
  2. Make sure the Host PC and Display PC are connected.
     
  3. Open the getfile.exe on your Display PC.
     
  4. Specify the EDF filename you want to retrieve or leave the filename box blank to transfer the most recent file.
     
  5. Specify a location on your Display PC to save the file.
     

EyeLink 1000 Plus or EyeLink Portable Duo

• Recover via USB:
  
  1. Exit the host software on the Host PC by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Q to access the file manager.
     
  2. Connect a FAT32 formatted USB drive.
     
  3. Navigate to the /ELCL/DATA/ directory to find the file
     NOTE: if the Host software fails to access the /ELCL/DATA/ directory the files will be saved in the /ELCL/EXE/.
     
     
  4. Copy the desired file to the /fs/USB0/ folder to transfer it to your USB drive.
     
  5. Right-click on /fs/USB0/ and select "Eject usb0".
     
  6. Move the USB to your Display PC
     
  7. Move the USB drive to your Display PC and copy the file to its original intended save location.
     
• Recover via network
  
  1. Exit the host software on the Host PC by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Q to access the file manager.
     
  2. Open a web browser
     
  3. From your Display PC, open a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).
     
  4. In the browser's address bar, type the Host PC's IP address (e.g., 100.1.1.1) and press Enter.
     
  5. Navigate to the /ELCL/DATA/ directory to find the file (NOTE: if the Host software fails to access the /ELCL/DATA/ directory the files will be saved in the /ELCL/EXE/).
     
  6. Select the file you want to recover and click the Download button in the toolbar, or right-click the file and select Download.
     
  7. Open your browser's download folder and move the recovered file to its original, intended location.
     
• Recover file with GetFile.exe
  You can transfer the file directly to the Display PC using the getfile.exe application. You can find this application in the following directory on your Display PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\SR Research\EyeLink\bin\. To use it:
  
  1. Make sure the Host PC is powered on and running the host software.
     
  2. Make sure the Host PC and Display PC are connected.
     
  3. Open the getfile.exe on your Display PC.
     
  4. Specify the EDF filename you want to retrieve or leave the filename box blank to transfer the most recent file.
     
  5. Specify a location on your Display PC to save the file.
     

*Please note that EDF files are stored on the Host PC until they are either manually deleted or overwritten by a new session that uses the exact same filename.