oh-ho, am I screwed?

[lorne]

I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[Bern]

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

 

[lorne]

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[Winux P]

Hello Lorne,

Did you format the slave drive when you upgraded? If so you're probably in
strife... Did you delete the primary partition on the slave drive (without
then formatting)??? If so you will need a tool like R-Studio to read the
disk and recover your files. If the properties of the disk state it's NTFS,
then it is, just as long as you did not format the disk, you should still,
with alot of help from a data recovery program get them back. I know one
the Norton Utilities can recover files to some (and I mean some) extent...
Hope you're not screwed Lorne...

Regards,
Winux P

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some point in
your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[lorne]

I guess I should exercise more emphesis on R T F S !!!!


(Read The ****in' Screen!!)

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some point in
your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[lorne]

Rick,
Is there any chance of any recovery from a professional? I mean, after the
hard drive has been formatted, isn't the data all gone?

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some point in
your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[Bern]

From Webopedia:

"Note that reformatting a disk does not erase the data on the disk, only the
address tables. Do not panic, therefore, if you accidentally reformat a disk
that has useful data. A computer specialist should be able to recover most,
if not all, of the information on the disk. You can also buy programs that
enable you to recover a disk yourself."

Rick,
Is there any chance of any recovery from a professional? I mean, after the
hard drive has been formatted, isn't the data all gone?

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some point in
your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address
book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave
drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[lorne]

ok, the sweat is slowing down..... can you suggest any software that can be
downloaded from the internet?
<still some sweat thinking about the cost of a "data recovery" shop>

From Webopedia:

"Note that reformatting a disk does not erase the data on the disk, only the
address tables. Do not panic, therefore, if you accidentally reformat a disk
that has useful data. A computer specialist should be able to recover most,
if not all, of the information on the disk. You can also buy programs that
enable you to recover a disk yourself."

Rick,
Is there any chance of any recovery from a professional? I mean, after the
hard drive has been formatted, isn't the data all gone?

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some

point
in

your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone



it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the

properties
of

the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still
being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address
book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave
drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bern,

Anything is possible, but chances are fairly slim that the data can be
recovered inexpensively. In addition to formatting, it is possible that the
drive was repartitioned (not just converted). While what webopedia states is
true for a formatted drive, this doesn't apply when a drive is
repartitioned.

Loren, I'm not trying to tell you it's hopeless, I'm trying to tell you that
you need to weigh heavily the costs and time necessary for what may
potentially prove fruitless. Here is one freebie file recovery tool that is
relatively easy to use, see what turns up:
http://hccweb1.bai.ne.jp/~hcj58401/

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

From Webopedia:

"Note that reformatting a disk does not erase the data on the disk, only the
address tables. Do not panic, therefore, if you accidentally reformat a disk
that has useful data. A computer specialist should be able to recover most,
if not all, of the information on the disk. You can also buy programs that
enable you to recover a disk yourself."

Rick,
Is there any chance of any recovery from a professional? I mean, after the
hard drive has been formatted, isn't the data all gone?

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some

point
in

your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone



it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the

properties
of

the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still
being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address
book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave
drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up erased?

 

[David]

From Webopedia:

"Note that reformatting a disk does not erase the data on the disk,
only the address tables. Do not panic, therefore, if you accidentally
reformat a disk that has useful data. A computer specialist should be
able to recover most, if not all, of the information on the disk. You
can also buy programs that enable you to recover a disk yourself."

Note, These Computer Specailists can be VERY expensive. Do not write
anything to the drive until you have your data back.

--

David

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

 

[lorne]

Good Morning,
Well I tried running the program down below. Results were not what i was
looking for..... there was one file there, although nothing that was of any
interest and besides the file was empty.
The knots in my stomach are getting larger as i realize that I really
screwed up on this one. i will call a data recovery place and see what they
have to say.
Thank you for your assistance in this messup i created.

Lorne

Hi Bern,

Anything is possible, but chances are fairly slim that the data can be
recovered inexpensively. In addition to formatting, it is possible that the
drive was repartitioned (not just converted). While what webopedia states is
true for a formatted drive, this doesn't apply when a drive is
repartitioned.

Loren, I'm not trying to tell you it's hopeless, I'm trying to tell you that
you need to weigh heavily the costs and time necessary for what may
potentially prove fruitless. Here is one freebie file recovery tool that is
relatively easy to use, see what turns up:
http://hccweb1.bai.ne.jp/~hcj58401/

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

From Webopedia:

"Note that reformatting a disk does not erase the data on the disk, only the
address tables. Do not panic, therefore, if you accidentally reformat a disk
that has useful data. A computer specialist should be able to recover most,
if not all, of the information on the disk. You can also buy programs that
enable you to recover a disk yourself."

Rick,
Is there any chance of any recovery from a professional? I mean,

after
the

hard drive has been formatted, isn't the data all gone?

Hi,

You can convert it back using something like Partition Magic, but the
files
will still be gone. Sounds like you may have made an error at some point
in
your installation. File recovery at this point will require professional
help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone



it appears that the slave drive is now NTFS (looking at the properties
of
the slave). It also shows complete free space on the hard drive.
can it be converted back to fat32 (with the miracle of the files still
being
there??)

Lorne, what evidence do you have that this might be the case?
What have you tried?
You may just need to "take ownership" of the files. This is a common
scenario.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421


I needed to upgrade from ME to XP.
I saved all sorts of files on a slave drive (d) like emails, address
book,
and pictures.
Then i installed xp........ it appears that it cleaned off the slave
drive
to install the installation files! Can this be ? My back up
erased?

 

[lorne]

There has been nothing added to the disk since this episode started.... just
me looking at a blank drive. i tried the recovery software but that didnt
show me any of the files.
I don't think its gonna be a good day!!

 

[Malke]

There has been nothing added to the disk since this episode
started.... just
me looking at a blank drive. i tried the recovery software but that
didnt show me any of the files.
I don't think its gonna be a good day!!

Really, it depends on what you mean by "very expensive" and how valuable
the data is. DriveSavers (www.drivesavers.com) start at around $500 and
probably can recover your data for less than $1,500. I don't work for
them, but highly recommend them. Yes, this is a lot to spend to rescue
a bunch of .mp3's, but if this is business data, then $1,500 isn't too
much to save your company's information. And I'm sure you now know what
a good idea it is to back up data onto media like CD-R and move it
offsite or at least keep it separate from production machines.

Malke