Deleted Files / Formated Drives - Need some help (or a LOT)

danielwilkieuk · Post by **danielwilkieuk** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 2:00 am

had a clear out of all my . over the last 2 weeks, Then had a problem with my O/S so done a System Roll Back and that messed up all the files I had deleted / moved

I also formatted a hard drive the files where possilbly on, But never formatted the C:\ Drive - So might be rescued if they where on that which i cant be sure off.

Does anyone know of software to find deleted files and find files from a Formatted Drive? Free software would be great.

I have tried the DEMO of FileRecovery V3.1 and it find the files, But im not allowed to restore them, as its a demo! If anyone would know any free software I will give them all the answers to Sundays Quiz!

Thanks Daniel

BobLatimer · Post by **BobLatimer** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 3:14 am

Try Norton Unerase, which (I think) is part of Norton Utilities and is available in a fully functional downloadable limited-time trial version.

danielwilkieuk · Post by **danielwilkieuk** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 3:52 am

I tried that, Didnt seem to do anything - All i had was a Un erase wizard which was to be honest, A waste of time (2000 version, Tho New one migt be different)

Currently got FileRecovery for Windows V3 on the go, Hopefully that will recover the file, Ran it on the C drive and came up with lots of results but none the actaul files. So im running it on E Drive now, if I dont get anywhere I will try it on the other PC where I transfered a hard drive into. And the file was definetly on that, Just not sure if the program will be able to recover files from a formatted / repartitioned drive which the drive might have been, But im not sure.

So far its about 35% completed scanning E:\ and its found 38305 lost files - bear in mind this was my MSTS drive!

Will update you in 20 minutes with screams of hate or joy

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 9:29 am

My commiserations Daniel. Don't you just love computers?

buster1961 · Post by **buster1961** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 4:01 pm

One bit of bad news to add to your misery..

Once a file has been removed from the Recycle bin it is made available for the filing system to use. Although the entries may still be there, usually marked with a $ in the FAT to indicate no longer in use, some of the disk sectors that the data occupied may have been written to by any activity. Even start up and shut down writes to the drive.

I would expect some degree of loss even if you get the files restored.

ogwilliam · Post by **ogwilliam** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:52 pm

I might be able to help - there's a little utility called Recover98 which is pretty old and lo-tech but does the job. One small problem, you can only recover 3 files at a time, but it's a cinch to reinstall over and over (though you didn't hear it from me, right?). I got it originally from tucows.com but as it's only about 600kb I can mail it to you if you like? pm if that's the case. And just checked - it works with NTFS partitions as well.
Good luck, I know how it feels when a drive dies - my company once had a SCSI drive meltdown over an August bank holiday, and I came in and had to pick up the pieces.... aah I love the smell of freshly fried electronics in the morning, it smells like, victory

danielwilkieuk · Post by **danielwilkieuk** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:10 pm

I might run the software tonight on my C drive again, If it comes up nothing then im just going to forget about it, I might beable to get the an old copy of the files from Ben Laws who was doing things to it for me. But that will set me back a little.

Right now im going to recover, Flat packed furniture, Carpet Laying all got the better of me