coplete loss of programs and files after reformat

[james636]

During a reformat, I lost all files and programs that were previously installed. Normally, after a reformat, I would go to Documents and Settings to search for files under the username before the reformat. This time after the reformat, there was only one user instead of the previous users; My computer was as if I'd just taken it out the Box brand new. Is there anything that I can do to retrieve those lost files?

[Rookie64]

Did you previously backup any of those files?

Or have you created any rescue disks with an anti-virus program?

You'll be able to replace anything you have the original software installation for and anything you backed up on CDs/DVDs/Floppies.

[james636]

I'm afraid I didn't backup anything because like I mentioned, in past reformats, I was able to just go to Documents and settings and retrieve files from a previous user folder. This time, all previous user folders were deleted after the reformat

[Cobra]

Moved to the Computer forum.

/ Moderator Cobra


What sort of format did you do? A full NTFS format (not a quick format)? If so, you are bound to lose all your files - formatting any disk means you lose all your data.

[james636]

Sorry for the confusion; I've learned that the three actions that I took prior to last week were re-installs and not reformats. Last week I performed a reformat and that is why my files were deleted. Sorry

[Cobra]

Was there anything terribly important on your drive? If there was, some specialists may be able to help recover a few files.

[james636]

Yes. There were a couple of programs that I purchased; they were deleted and I'm trying to retrieve them. I had a username and password that was deleted, which allowed me to login to a particular website and download the setup program to reinstall the app. For security purposes, the companies won't release such information as usernames and passwords. I don't know what to do now.

[gitreel]

You could write the company and tell them what happened and aks them ro release it.

[thecoalman]

Look up file recovery software. Reformatting doesn't mean you lost the files, they are still there unless they were overwritten during reinstall or anything else you installed since then.

The most important thing is to not install anything and don't use your computer. Even browsing the net can cause you to lose those files.

Get on another comp and search around for file recovery software. Go to cnet.com, they have many listed. The file recovery software will run right from a CD. Burn it to CD from the other comp and have it search your comp. Most if not all provide a free trial that will show you what it finds, it just won't let you recover it unless you pay them.

FYI, I recovered the entire My Documents folder from a friends comp. In some cases there was multiple copies of the same file because of opening and saving them.

[JSB]

GetDataBack (FAT of NTFS)

http://www.runtime.org/

Works great! If you have not written "on top" of your formated drive you will get EVERYTHING back. If you format and install an OS... you will get most of your stuff back... minus the area that has been re-written.

JSB

[Iago]

Hope you may have retrieve your file uptil now by using that data recovery software. If not yet then you can try Stellar Phoenix FAT & NTFS - data recovery software has worked remakably well for me. It has helped me recovering all my deleted files when I lost it with accidental deletion. Although the software is not free but free demo download is available at
http://www.stellarinfo.com/partition-recovery.htm. Through demo version one is able to see the recovered data.

Anyone who want to recover their data or lost partition can use it.
Hope it may be going to help other.

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