Upgraded and lost it all!

[Guest]

I just upgraded my system (Dell ME - Windows 98) all because of one little
iPod. I needed Windows XP in order to download iTunes. Anyway, I purchased
Widnows XP and downloaded everything onto my system last night and after
rebooting I noticed that everything that I had on my system prior has been
wiped out. I am talking 3 years worth of dgitial pictures of my 3 year old
daughter. I will be the first to admit that I am not computer savvy - I am
now heartbroken. Is there any way that I can get all those digital photos
back or are they all gone for good? Thanks

 

[Robin Gordon]

Try a program called RecoverMyFiles. It should be out there. My mate at
work had his additional shift info stored on a floppy and it all went
haywire. This app got the files back and a couple he'd forgotten about.
If it's been formatted there may not be much hope but if your lucky then
this may help.

Robin

 

[RonK]

Did you allow the XP Installation to Format the hard drive ?

 

[Saucy Lemon]

I just upgraded my system (Dell ME - Windows 98) all because of one
little iPod. I needed Windows XP in order to download iTunes.
Anyway, I purchased Widnows XP and downloaded everything onto my
system last night and after rebooting I noticed that everything that
I had on my system prior has been wiped out. I am talking 3 years
worth of dgitial pictures of my 3 year old daughter. I will be the
first to admit that I am not computer savvy - I am now heartbroken.
Is there any way that I can get all those digital photos back or are
they all gone for good? Thanks

A good recovery service might get some back if you are willing to spend.
Shut off the computer do not use it, contact a disk recovery service.

Much of the old data may still reside on the drive, even though Windows
probably reformatted the harddrive. When analyzed by skilled techs, the data
can sometimes be recovered. The less overwritten, of course, the better
chance of recovery. When Windows is running it makes all sorts of writes to
the drive. SO DO NOT USE THE COMPUTER.

Some people might suggest a software solution. I would at least consult more
than one professional services first. They might OK a software solution or
might not.

There are a number of places. use another computer to investigate online for
various services available.

Here's a few I got from a Google search:.

Vital Data 1-888-570-0775

Total Recall Data Recovery (800) 743-0594


OnTrack 1-800-872-2599 1-800-645-3649

It might be five hundred or a thousand bucks, but if you do have a few bucks
in the scheme of things it's worth it. If these places think a cheaper
software solution is OK, then all the better. But get in contact with more
than one and discuss what happened.

 

[Guest]

I am sorry, I am not sure what that means?

Did you allow the XP Installation to Format the hard drive ?

 

[RonK]

How did you install or upgrade from Win98 to XP.
Did you boot the computer with the cd in the drive or did you run the XP cd
from Windows 98 ?

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

A good recovery service might get some back if you are willing to
spend. Shut off the computer do not use it, contact a disk recovery
service.
Much of the old data may still reside on the drive, even though
Windows probably reformatted the harddrive. When analyzed by skilled
techs, the data can sometimes be recovered. The less overwritten, of
course, the better chance of recovery. When Windows is running it
makes all sorts of writes to the drive. SO DO NOT USE THE COMPUTER.

Some people might suggest a software solution. I would at least
consult more than one professional services first. They might OK a
software solution or might not.

There are a number of places. use another computer to investigate
online for various services available.

Here's a few I got from a Google search:.

Vital Data 1-888-570-0775

Total Recall Data Recovery (800) 743-0594


OnTrack 1-800-872-2599 1-800-645-3649

It might be five hundred or a thousand bucks, but if you do have a
few bucks in the scheme of things it's worth it. If these places
think a cheaper software solution is OK, then all the better. But get
in contact with more than one and discuss what happened.

Very good advice.

--
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

 

[Guest]

With the CD in the drive.

How did you install or upgrade from Win98 to XP.
Did you boot the computer with the cd in the drive or did you run the XP cd
from Windows 98 ?

 

[RonK]

Click on Start, Search, click on "All files and folders" Then type
*.jpg into the search.
If you see any of your missing pictuers it will show which folder they are
in.

If none are found it looks like the XP Installation formated the disk.

 

[Guest]

Thanks RonK, I will try it tonight.

Click on Start, Search, click on "All files and folders" Then type
*.jpg into the search.
If you see any of your missing pictuers it will show which folder they are
in.

If none are found it looks like the XP Installation formated the disk.

 

[Guest]

I had a similar problem, however I am pretty sure the actual files are in
tact and should be able to recvoer them. I didn't sleep at all last night as
a result of my error and not backing the files up.

Keep in mind, I don't know how realistic it is, but if you don't find
anything initially and it's worth it to you that the FBI has been able to
find deleted files and prosecute people, maybe there is some hope. The only
thing I know for sure is if a scrubber is used (which in your situation there
would be no reasons for one) there is always hope. In the mean time, I share
you paine. In addition, contact other family members and friends to see if
they have copies of some of those photos that were lost.

Hope this helps at least a little.