Retrieving lost data

[Dr.EM]

We fairly recently formatted to PC downstairs. We backed up most things, but somehow forgot the pictures folder which contains many photos which don't exist elsewhere. The folder they were stored in was the Windows "my pictures" folder. We used to use Windows ME, but updated it to XP, the format took place during the installation of XP. It was done on purpose, we just forgot about this folder. Is there any chance of getting it back using freely downloadable programs?

 

[wizardmaxx]

Probably not. If windows has loaded over the same area as the photos were then at best u will get 'half pictures'

Try some of these.

http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld/links.php?search=file+recovery&la=xx

Just remember, the more u load onto that drive, the more chance u will write something over the area the photos were.

 

[VeNT]

try "get data back".
its a paid for if you want the files back, but the free will tell you if they are there.

 

[Dr.EM]

I tried the program wizardmaxx suggested and it looks like they have indeed gone . Very few files were there that worked with most coming up as unuseable, unidentifiable clusters.

I guess theres no harm trying the get data back free one to see if that uncovers anything else, but it looks doubtful.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

i used a program called 'Handy Recovery 2.0' when I accidently deleted the partition on my usb stick when I left it plugged in during a fresh XP install. It is only the trial version and only permits the recovery of one file a day. Im not sure if it will work with your hard drive as you have formatted (a quick format should still be ok though) whilst I only deleted the partition.

I would stick the hard drive in another pc as a slave and run the handy recovery program.
Worth a try anyway as the trail version is free but it does expire after a while