Lost everything in Windows XP Professional Install

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

My friend installed a new OS (Windows XP PRO) and lost everything on her
computer. I need to know how to go back the old OS or find herold files. This
is a HUGE problem for her. I am working on my home computer to fix this for
her.
 
If your friend formatted the hard drive prior to the install, and then used
the computer for a few days, there is not much chance of getting her files
back. They have likely already been over written!

If the files are irreplaceable, photos - tax returns - memories etc, you can
try using one of the "expensive" file recovery services, such as
www.ontrack.com. Did I say they are "very" expensive?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
She probably didn't format it. She just did this 2 hours ago. She thought she
was installing MS Office. Is there any hope...?
 
Hi,

Upgrade or clean installation? If an upgrade, what OS was upgraded and what
file system was in use?

Did she not make backups of important data as is recommended virtually
anywhere you read about changing OS's?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
I believe she thought she was installing MS Office so I think it would be a
clean install. She didn't back anything up, she didn't know she was
installing a new OS. As you can guess she isn't too keen on computers.
 
Data or Program Settings Are Missing After You Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313362

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I believe she thought she was installing MS Office so I think it would be a
| clean install. She didn't back anything up, she didn't know she was
| installing a new OS. As you can guess she isn't too keen on computers.
 
Whether you install an OS, an application or just are tinkering with the
registry or other configuration files, you should always have some type of
back up on hand. I personally own 2 workstations, a Linux server and
laptop - where I make a point to make a system backup of each weekly.

--

Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your Service!

http://www.google.com
Google is your "Friend"
 
HELP! said:
I believe she thought she was installing MS Office so I think it would
be a clean install. She didn't back anything up, she didn't know she
was installing a new OS. As you can guess she isn't too keen on
computers.
Click to expand...
She should *immediately* stop working on the machine. Have her contact a
professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of
BigStoreUSA) and ask if they have data recovery software. If they do,
she should take the machine to them and have them retrieve her data and
install Windows for her.

If there is no one where your friend lives who can do this, then contact
a professional data recovery firm. DriveSavers is very well respected.
Their site is www.drivesavers.com. Seagate has just started offering
data recovery services, and Ontrack also does data recovery. These
firms' services are not inexpensive, but only your friend can determine
the worth of her data.

Malke
 
What Malke said. This sort of data recovery is not for the novice.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
HELP! said:
She probably didn't format it. She just did this 2 hours ago. She thought she
was installing MS Office.
Click to expand...

ROTFLMAO!

Seriously, the splash screen says "WINDOWS" if you are installing Windows
and "OFFICE" if you are installing Office. How can anyome "mistake"
installing Windows for Office?
 
A clean install means that she formatted the drive. Since neither of you
really know what happened, I suggest you take it to someone who has
appropriate software and knows what they're doing. The more you mess with
it, the worse it's going to get.
 
Hello,

EASEUS DataRecoveryWizard utility can help. Speaking about me, it was
easily able to restore deleted, lost file and unformat drive,
so I think you will also find it quite useful. Really recommended
tool, give it a try.

http://www.easeus.com/
 
Back
Top