Abstract: Available slack area in file storage structures is used for storing file-reconstruction data. The file-reconstruction data includes a unique end-of-file tag code (405) positioned within a vital core (403) section of limited length. The vital core section is located close to or against the end of the slack area. Less-essential file-reconstruction data is grown frontwards from the vital core section to the beginning of the slack area as room permits. During file recovery, the random access storage device (e.g., a disk whose directory structure has been damaged) is scanned for storage sub-areas (e.g., allocation blocks) containing the predefined, unique end-of-file tag code appropriately positioned within the vital core portion at the end of the sub-area. Each storage sub-area having such a properly-positioned end-of-file tag code is designated as a possible end-of-file sub-area.