I need serious help on recovering files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)
  • Start date Start date
I had to do a total resore on my pc.I couldn't get to windows to save files
and am wondering if possible to recover files after a complete restore.I have
pictures of my grandmother who died a few months ago and would like to
retrieve them..Is this possible? Please help me and tell me yes this can be
done..Thank you, Katherine
 
If you did a "complete restore" as in used the "Restore CD" from the
manufacturer, or "restored from the hidden partition" like some
manufacturers provide, things do not look good. I would suggest a data
recovery expert for the best likelihood of recovering anything.
 
Thank you so much for all your help.I will try all your suggestions.I did a
complete restore with my recovery disk.I wasnt able to get to windows to do a
backup disk on files..I think I will call SONY and see if there is something
that can be done..Thank you all so very much.................Katherine
 
Just as a suggestion -- (well, two actually)
1) setup some sort of backup scheme (many different methods -- anything
is better than nothing)
2) If this sort of problem happens again, BEFORE doing anything to
the disk, ask around for information. Once you overwrite stuff, it is
almost impossible to get. Unless the disk was totally corrupted, it
probably would have been possible to read it from another computer.

mikey
 
In
Katherine said:
Thank you so much for all your help.I will try all your suggestions.I
did a complete restore with my recovery disk.I wasnt able to get to
windows to do a backup disk on files..I think I will call SONY and
see if there is something that can be done..Thank you all so very
much.................Katherine
Click to expand...

Kathrine,
Stop using the computer now. Do not use it until you have either used the
file recovery tools or had a professional recovery technician check the
drive for useful information. The more you use it the less data you can
retreive.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
I also have similar problems: I set up Windows XP again, using the option 'To
continue installing installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing.
Press ESC'. I continued to setup using partition C. Then I installed Windows
XP using 'Leave the current file system intact (no change)' I then selected
'L' and a fresh copy of Windows XP was installed.
When ready I lost all my previous XP together with all drivers, folders and
files.

I too need to know how to restore my previous XP. I can tell that the
previous files, folders and drivers have not been totally deleted from the
HDD because after the new installation the Used HDD space is 25.7GB and Free
is 11.4GB

How do I recover the previous setup.
 
Daniel said:
I also have similar problems: I set up Windows XP again, using the option
'To
continue installing installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without
repairing.
Press ESC'. I continued to setup using partition C. Then I installed
Windows
XP using 'Leave the current file system intact (no change)' I then
selected
'L' and a fresh copy of Windows XP was installed.
When ready I lost all my previous XP together with all drivers, folders
and
files.

I too need to know how to restore my previous XP. I can tell that the
previous files, folders and drivers have not been totally deleted from the
HDD because after the new installation the Used HDD space is 25.7GB and
Free
is 11.4GB

How do I recover the previous setup.
Click to expand...

By restoring from Backup. You did MAKE a backup?
 
Daniel said:
I also have similar problems: I set up Windows XP again, using the option
'To
continue installing installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without
repairing.
Press ESC'. I continued to setup using partition C. Then I installed
Windows
XP using 'Leave the current file system intact (no change)' I then
selected
'L' and a fresh copy of Windows XP was installed.
When ready I lost all my previous XP together with all drivers, folders
and
files.

I too need to know how to restore my previous XP. I can tell that the
previous files, folders and drivers have not been totally deleted from the
HDD because after the new installation the Used HDD space is 25.7GB and
Free
is 11.4GB

How do I recover the previous setup.
Click to expand...

There is a hard rule in computing. It says that irreplaceable files must be
stored in at least two independent locations, e.g. on an external USB disk.
Some people install a suitable backup process out of caution. Others defer
such a step until they suffer a major hit. Performing a new Windows
installation without first backing up everything would easily qualify as a
major hit (or perhaps blunder).
 
I also have similar problems
Says nothing

If you installed leaving current intact, you can recover data only
 
James said:
There is a hard rule in computing. It says that irreplaceable files
must be stored in at least two independent locations, e.g. on an
external USB disk.
Click to expand...

That's why military pilots have TWO parachutes. If the plane fails, you've
got a 'chute. If that fails, you have a backup.
 
I also have similar problems: I set up Windows XP again, using the option 'To
continue installing installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing.
Press ESC'. I continued to setup using partition C. Then I installed Windows
XP using 'Leave the current file system intact (no change)' I then selected
'L' and a fresh copy of Windows XP was installed.
When ready I lost all my previous XP together with all drivers, folders and
files.

I too need to know how to restore my previous XP. I can tell that the
previous files, folders and drivers have not been totally deleted from the
HDD because after the new installation the Used HDD space is 25.7GB and Free
is 11.4GB

How do I recover the previous setup.
Click to expand...

Katherine said:
I had to do a total resore on my pc.I couldn't get to windows to save files
and am wondering if possible to recover files after a complete restore.I have
pictures of my grandmother who died a few months ago and would like to
retrieve them..Is this possible? Please help me and tell me yes this can be
done..Thank you, Katherine
Click to expand...



To Katherine : define restore ; system restore or drive format ?
 
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