Sorry but if the data in question has any value, then I have to say "don't be f**king stupid".

Playing with software tools is potentially going to wipe more data than it saves by writing to the disk.

The best thing here to do is to get an expert in and see what hasn't been overwritten by the new install.

Some data will almost certainly have been lost, however hopefully they did a quick format as that doesn't involve writing quite so much.

SIgh.....

Ok, you dont know what I do for a living, you have no idea what I have done in the past, when you say 'dont be f**kin stupid' I say take a step back and let someone who knows about these things say something...

I know what I am talking about....

If you want me to explain I will.....

I get ****y when people jump on their soap box.... and even more annoyed when someone calls me f**king stupid....

And by the way Im not a two year old that thinks he knows about computers.....

Edited 12 March, 201016 yr by Nuriyan

SIgh.....

Ok, you dont know what I do for a living, you have no idea what I have done in the past, when you say 'dont be f**kin stupid' I say take a step back and let someone who knows about these things say something...

I know what I am talking about....

If you want me to explain I will.....

I get ****y when people jump on their soap box.... and even more annoyed when someone calls me f**king stupid....

And by the way Im not a two year old that thinks he knows about computers.....

Yes, if you're offering to explain, then I'd love to hear it.

You also don't know what I do for a living, which means you have no idea about how qualified I might well be to answer the question.

When the data on the drive potentially has a value, then recommending using software to try and recover data from a hard drive as opposed to a specialist is plain irresponsible.

Many software tools are likely to actually cause increased data loss or make the task of data recovery more difficult.

If you look many data recovery specialists say come to us first, rather than trying it then coming.

Just as a point, if you read my previous post I said the advice of "use software" was stupid, not you. A small point but one that is worth making.

Also I'm wasn't on a soap box, but this is data that is important to a person. I for one wouldn't take chances with that data.

So I apologies if you thought I was calling*you* f**king stupid, I was not; however I stand by my point that the trying recovery software is not a good idea.

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

Ill sort out what software I use and how I use it when I get home from work on Monday, 12 hour shifts on a weekend dont allow for a great deal of time to myself...

But just to point out, and hopefully this will clarify a few things...

First of all anyone who installs software to the hard drive that needs recovering, does a scan, and recovers to the SAME drive, is asking for trouble...

I do not advise that at all, and certainly not what I have suggested, as I have pointed out above if someone wants to know Ill pm with as much detail and pictures as I can, while I would ultimately do the job myself, I can only guide as much as I can do, this by giving a step by step detailed instruction.

Quick and brief idea...

I use another machine to which I connect the hard drive that needs scanning, do a full scan of the hard drive to see the integrity of data....

Based on the size of hard drive, the scan will take a very long time... and we are talking about alot of hours....

This is just a scan, nothing more....

The software I use gives me a percentage of how 'recoverable' the files are, folders, partitions, and so on...

Ultimate rule....

I never recover the data to the same drive, it always goes to an empty Hard drive...

Now the software does nothing but retrieves information from the other drive, nothing is written to it, if that was the case then we may as well forget trying to retrieve anything.

I appreciate that you may have vast experience, that I do not doubt, but before I have had a chance of explaining what how and why, give someone the opportunity to put their point across.

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by Nuriyan

Choose your weapon.

Choose your weapon.

Aww there's no pink one :(

Anyway, no weapon required.

I know what I know about hard disks and storage, have made my comments and mentioned the risks.

If it was my data I know which path I'd take to maximise my chances of getting any back, however I'm quite happy to let people decide against these if they wish to do so.

You can lead a horse to water and all that.

Edited 14 March, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

The data is FUBAR.

Learn to back up and move on.

If the data is worth a fortune send it off to a forensics capable lab and they can recover with the proper gear.

But you won't get that for £250, add another zero and you'll get closer.

Try these guys if you need to.

http://www.sapphire.net/data-recovery-8/overview-39.html

They do a lot of forensic work and are very capable.

Edited 15 March, 201016 yr by Aspman