Community Newsletter: Q&A: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data?
- 4/12/07 4:45 PM
However...
by zzdave - 4/11/07 4:55 PM In reply to: System restore is not an answer by Watzman...there is inexpensive software out there that once loaded and set up WILL restore ALL files as they were before the last boot. It's normally used in schools or dumb terminals but is quite useful. If you want to change anything you need to sign on as an Administrator, then back to User. Disk Sheriff comes to mind. BTW - I would recommend professional help if the data is worth it. I have tried getting data off other peoples disks as well as my own and it's nigh on impossible with current software.
Yes you can recover the data! I would suggest this;
by jim.gaudet - 3/30/07 6:00 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The data can be recovered, but the more you use your computer, the better the chance you will not be able to recover your data. So, time is of the essence.
You will need to get some software, it is not too expensive. Go here;
http://www.ontrack.com/
You can download a trial version and scan your system. If the scan produces the files you want, then you can purchase the software and recover them.
I have used this software in the past and it has worked very well for me, even after a full format and reinstall of Windows.
This software is, however, $199, it may be in your best interest to bring to a computer shop and have them fix it for $75. But definitely download a trial and see if files can be restored.
I like to have the software, just in case this happens again somehow.
Good Luck!
Jim
Get Your Data Back...
by goddi1 - 3/30/07 6:33 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had sort of a similar problem. Give this site a try:
http://www.runtime.org/
Be careful, because they have one program for FAT and one for NTFS, depending how your drive is formated. It worked for me and it should work for you.
data recovery
by The Linguist - 3/30/07 6:34 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you haven't used the hard disk very much then I would recommend getting a hold of a program called Stellar Phoenix FAT & NTFS. This program can recover files off of almost any disk even one that has been formatted.
Stellar Phoenix FAT & NTFS
by The Linguist - 3/30/07 6:38 PM In reply to: data recovery by The LinguistI would like to add that I use this program everytime I get another hard drive off of a used computer or find a computer in the trash. It's really amazing what people leave on drives when they sell second hand drives.
Google it!
by GK625 - 3/30/07 6:42 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Maybe you should google undelete program.
Just note that you should go to www.siteadvisor.com and search the page there and consider the rating.
LOST MEDIA
by KENNETH. G - 3/30/07 6:47 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
TRY GETTING MEDIA RECOVER IT IS NOT ALL THAT EXPENCIVE ,ITS VERY CHEP FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK IT RECOVERS FOR YOU. ALL THE BEST KEN
MediaRECOVER.LLC
2361 E. Everglade Ct
Chandler.AZ85249
Toll free. 866.616.3342
or web site:www.mediaRECOVER.COM
Cleaned Machine
by AdminLogon - 3/30/07 7:27 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The main thing to attempting recovery of deleted files etc is DO NOT format, defrag or install another program before you start. In fact until you start your recovery program reduced use of the PC is also essential.
There are a few programs that can effectively recover most of your files is the above is adhered to but the one that I am more aware of is PCInspector_File Recovery listed as freeware often included on PC magazine disks (http://www.pcinspector.de/filerecovery/UK/welcome.htm)
There are quite a few more including from Stellar Software (not free).
Good luck
Allan
Recovering lost data
by Ent - 3/30/07 7:41 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Wendy:
Basically, when a user deletes archives in a pc, to make it an efficient operation, the operating system does not really delete them, it just mark the occupied space as free in a way that escapes the scope of this answer. As a result, lots of your data may still be there, as long as you have not written anything over it.
There are many utilities out there that may help you recover that data. If you have norton system works, it has an unerase program. It actually works making a second copy of the files in you trashcan, but it can also recover files not protected by this feature. Another alternative is to look for the software in Download.com, they keep a healthy catalog of utilities for this and other "family-caused-accidents".
Hope it helps
It can be simple and (fairly) inexpensive
by qprize - 3/30/07 7:45 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First please (PLEASE) tell me you've shut the machine down and left it parked since the "help." I hope you didn't run any utilities to clean up the disk, to reorganize the files, or do any other maintenance. If you have, then a lot of your stuff is likely gone forever.
I'm wagering you don't care about the technical details of file writing and erasing, so I'll just skip to solving the problem. If you've left the disk alone since the mishap you can very easily recover almost everything. There are a number of data recovery companies out there who can do this for you, and in very short order, The best - for a home user, is probably one that can do it over a modem. If you can't easily find one on the Internet, grab a copy of any major PC magazine and look in the smaller "display ads' in the back of the issue. There's often a bunch listed there. Call a few, tell them what happened, what you've been doing since, and they'll tell you the chance of recovery and how much it will cost. It won't be free, but if the data is that important a few hundred dollars may be worth it. And since there are business files lost, you can likely legitimately charge this to your business.
I lost an entire 8GB of data a few years back (it was a HUGE drive back then), after a helpful tech at a very (VERY) large computer manufacturer assured me the maintenance he wanted me to run would not hurt my (not yet backed-up) data. He was wrong. And he ran for the hills, claiming he had no responsibility, no warranty, yada-yada-yada. I called a company called OnTrack (still around) and they were able to restore all 8GB in about an hour.
These companies now offer self-serve programs, and even some free trial software. But if these files are very important I recommend you DON'T do this, and let the pros do it for you. I'm not telling you to use OnTrack, even though I was very happy. I'm telling you there are professional solutions that are easy and relatively inexpensive to get back most everything you lost. Don't despair.
back ups work great.
by tbone69069 - 3/30/07 8:07 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Wendy,
Sorry to hear about your friends problem amd hope you get the right help.
First off. If he has a business. HE should have thought about doing backups. Compters are great for storing info and business applications, but, They do crash or your delete wrong stuff from time to time only to realize that you deleted the wrong file. Your friend should practice doing back up if he uses his computer for both business and pleasure. Nothing beats a good back up.
There are many different programs you can use to try to get back your lost files. YO my not be able to save all that have been lost and you have to get to them before the hard disk where they were stored has something else written over that part of the hard drive. I am not going to give you the names of the programs out there as there are many of them and every person would feel more comfortible over one that others find hard to use. You can search on downloads.com here on Cnet and read reviews of the plus and minus's of each program and then pick the one that you think will do the best job with ease of use.
Hope this is of some help and you are able to get all your friends lost data files.
Ron
Possible restoration of lost files
by arshnar63 - 3/30/07 8:26 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Assuming you are using a Windows OS (XP, Vista etc) on your desktop page HIGHLIGHT "ALL PROGRAMS"
move curser over "Accessories"follow to "System Tools" and down the column to "System Restore" Click on, and follow the prompts. Your computer can be instructed to set a restore point ( sort of travelling back in time) pick a time and date before your friend deleted your pictures.
The computer will restire itself to that time and date. Now, the draawback is that anything you added since then, (which to the computer would be "in the future" won't have been written or stored yet...so select A) a time as close as possible to your friend';s deletions and B) save any pictures etc. that you loaded AFTER that time, to a c.d. Remember things deleted are not really deleted, only their address is deleted...they are still in your hard drive...just
inaccessable, for the most part.
To determine when a picture or file was written, (so you can save the recent ones, right click on it to see it's properties. This will show when it was created, accessed etc.
Hope this is of help to you.
Sincerely, Arshnar
Recover files, easy
by firefox nut - 3/30/07 8:53 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Recovering files are easy as long as you didn't shred the files. Some freeware are out there that can recover files like PCTools File Recover, although my favorite is Avira UnErase. Also, you should not use Disk Cleanup yet, as it may delete some temporary files.
Three words to the wise - Backup Backup Backup
by GJF100 - 3/30/07 9:08 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
One can only hope that the 'genius cousin' backed up the system before starting the clean up process. If so then the fix is easy. Simply restore the files needed.
It is a good practice to routinely backup your files onto some other device/media than your hard-drive. That way you are only at risk of losing data that was created since your last 'backup'. You can copy datafiles to a CD or an external hardrive so that you always have the information in two places. If your hard drive 'crashes' you have a second source to go to.
If a backup was not made, you still may be able to retrieve your files by going to the "Recycle Bin". Deleted files are sent to the 'recycle bin' just to guard against accidental removal of files. So when you 'delete' a file, or program it is sent to the recycle bin first and stored there until you 'empty' the bin.
Of course, if the 'genius cousin' emptied the recycle bin in his zeal to get you more free disk space, you may be out of luck.
There should be an icon on your desktop named 'Recycle Bin". If you 'right click' on it then you can click on "Explore'. You will see a list of files that have been 'deleted'. You can select the ones you want and 'Restore' them.
Good luck..
File Recovery options
by Screaminlizard - 3/30/07 9:12 PM In reply to: Help! What can I do to retrieve deleted data? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Wendy,
You can absolutely get your files back, but how you do it will play a big part in how much you get back.
I've had many hard drive failures over the years and have had to recover files numerous times. Here are some simple steps to recovery:
1. First, avoid using the computer until you recover your files. This is because every time you save a file you might be overwriting a file that you want to retrieve. You see, unless you format your whole hard drive, deleted files are still there, it's just that the computer has no way to locate them. In fact, even after formatting your hard drive, a good recovery software can retrieve them.
2. For best results, buy a second hard drive and install it in your computer. Hard drives are pretty cheap and having the second drive will allow you to back up your files more easily in the future. Although this can be done without a second hard drive, you risk overwriting some of the files you want to recover.
3. Once you have installed the new hard drive, install your operating system onto it. To do this, you need to install the new drive as the master drive with your old drive as the slave. Your new hard drive will have instructions that show how to do this. This may sound a little advanced, but it's actually quite simple.
4. Once your operating system is installed on the new drive, the rest is very easy. You can now run a recovery from your new hard drive and scan your old hard drive for the lost files. You won't believe how good some of these softwares are at getting your files back. I use RecoverMyFiles from Getdata.com because it was the only one that I tried that got my files back with the original file names intact. I tried several others and they worked very well at getting files back, but renamed my files to something like jpg.0001 etc instead of a name that I had originally given it. Having said all that, there are lots of recovery softwares out there and a quick Google search will give you lots of options. Most recovery softwares are free to try but you'll have to buy them to save all the files that they find.
5. You best results will come from a sector level search which is a little slower but more accurate. I would just set it up and let it run all night. Getting all you files back intact and with their original file names is more important than saving a few hours. It can also be helpful if you know what types of files you want to recover i.e. photo files are often called .jpg files or Microsoft Word files are called .doc files etc. You can select the file types that you want to look for and this will provide faster and more complete results.
I generally get back 99% of my files and usually from failed hard drives, so yours should be even easier. Good luck.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
