DATA RECOVERY

[nubbin]

O.K. all you IT bods - I paretitioned my hard drive this weekend, but the programme I used neglected to mention in passing that it would delete my entire hard drive contents before partioning. Needless to say I am a little less than chuffed.

I've re-installed a few bits, (like XP!), and my hard disc shpows 3.2Gb of disk space as used. Is this my lost data on a hidden file, or is it just basic software plus Windows XP? If it is my data, how can I recover it? Please, HELP!!

[CarZee]

Did you hear the sharp intake of breath as every IT bod read your post? Did you see then all step backwards and try to hide behind each other?

I'm sorry to say that it sounds like you're out of luck.

What software did you use to partition your disk? Partition Magic is the only one I know of that does non-destructive repartitioning...

Recovery.. hmm.. well that usually counts on the disk not having been overwritten since the deleting took place. That said if the disk was full and you've only used a small amount of it (3Gb sounds about right for XP & swap file & a couple of Apps) then there might be stuff that's recoverable, but I have to tell you that not only is it a fairly specialist area, it's very labour intensive.

I'd welcome advice from others here - (Greg?) it's a while since I've done a disk recovery.. I'm thinking WinHEX or Partition Magic. Any other ideas?

[Dave_H]

Sharp intake of breath....

I'd agree with Partition Magic being the best next step.

[ninja_eli]

As Carzee says it will probably need a professional recovery, but again as Carzee pointed out it will be very expensive.

I had a problem with the CVH (or some shit, basically waits till 24th April to cause the damage) virus and it cost me near a grand to recover the data. Dumb **** that I am I had never backed it up so I HAD to do it.

If it is not vital data, its not worth the bother. But if it is try Vogon in Oxford or CBL. www.vogon.co.uk and www.cbltech.co.uk. respectively. I got Vogon to have the initial inspection and take a "copy" of the hard drive and got CBL to do the data recovery via email as Vogon were too expensive for the recovery. It was two years ago now but you can see the wound hasn't healed as I remember the websites readily.

Good Luck

[pbrettle]

quote:
I had a problem with the CVH (or some shit, basically waits till 24th April to cause the damage) virus and it cost me near a grand to recover the data. Dumb **** that I am I had never backed it up so I HAD to do it.

CIH and it is very nasty.

As for other possibles - you really do have to turn to someone like Vogon. I know a couple of people that have used them in the past and you are talking hundreds or even thousands for a fairly large disk - but what they do is worth it.... it is all about how much the data is really worth.

The way that the disk subsystem works means that a percentage of the data will be lost permanently. However the other stuff should be easily rescued in raw format - this is where the professionals come in - they would piece together the data back into the files so that it is of some use. Where this is not possible they will supply the raw data so that you dont have to type it all back in again at least.

I am afraid that I agree with the others though - sharp intake of breath and an "oh my god" comment. Not pleasant and certainly not nice - good luck though.

Cheers,

Paul

[GregE240]

Hmmmmm......

First port of call is one of the data recovery companies as mentioned in a previous post. How did you format the drive, Nubbin ? If you did a so called "Quick" format, it only destroys Sector 0 of the partition and the MBR for it, so you might be able to use a PowerQuest tool to get it back, or a progrma within Norton Utilities (System Doctor ? Can't remember from memory....anyone ?)

If you go down the NU path, you'll need 2002 - earlier versions do not support XP.

Just a thought....do you see anything within the Computer Management, Disk Manager applet ? It might still see it as a partition. If so, you might be able to recover it.

Cost wise recovery will cost at least a ton, depending on how bad it is....do you really need the contents back ?

Sorry I can't be more help mate, but you have my sympathy....if I can be any more help then shout or drop me a mail.

[nubbin]

Thanks for the advice guys - the only regrettable data loss is the pictures of my children, car(!) and a few other bits and bobs. the trouble is, it's difficult to remember what has gone. Perhaps a few zip drives filled with the same info. may have helped me to remember....

Just don't mention "backups" at this sensitive time in my life!!!!

Greg - I have a strong suspision it was a full-on, nuts-and-bolts wipeclean type re-format. The trouble was, at no point in the setup process was this mentioned. There was a lot of "it's a safe way of partioning your drive, with no data loss (sic), easy to use" etc., etc. At no point did it say "ooeerr, mate you're about to expunge your life's work. Do you wish to continue?" It just did it....

Incidentally, anyone who sent me piccies of the Chatsworth meet - thankyou. err, could you send them again!?

>> Edited by nubbin on Monday 24th June 10:58

[pbrettle]

Just a quick follow on from GregE240 - yes a "full-on" format will virtually wipe everything clean. However, the better data recovery companies can actually recover from there also. I have worked with one bank that formatted a drive, sent it to Vogon and they returned it with something like 70% of the data working... not a bad ratio (but dont expect the same - it is a lot to do with luck too).... they can read the residual charge on the sectors.... but dont ask me how.

But as with everything - its expensive.

Cheers,

Paul

[CarZee]

quote:they can read the residual charge on the sectors.... but dont ask me how.

they remove the platters from the drive and shove them into a bespoke spindle/heads mechanism in a big vacuum cupboard...

'asswhy they're so expensive.