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loss of files

Whilst removing aol from our computer to change to another provider we lost all our settings and had to re install windows. We now have lost all our documents and photos. Is there a way to get these back please as we are very upset about the photos. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are not expecting to be able to achieve this and we know that we should have backed up the photos, but if there is a way.......chil

chil Tue 06/05/08 19:15

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Hymie
Tue 06/05/08
19:37

Yes, you might be able to get some of the files/photos back using recovery software.
Some software can recover files from re-formatted drives – unfortunately if the files have been overwritten by your subsequent install, then they will be lost forever.

My advice is to search for software which will recover your files/photos (ask Abers) – use the PC as little as possible until you have recovered all you can. Using the PC will result in more and more of the hard drive being overwritten and more of your files lost forever.

Hymie
Tue 06/05/08
19:54

Further to my last post -check out what is available on ebay (search the software category for RECOVERY).

I have used a couple of recovery software packages, some work better than others – so it might be worth investing in a couple that look good, especially when they are only about a fiver each.

Hymie
Tue 06/05/08
21:00

OK – it can be done for free by downloading free (or free to try) software from here:-

http://www.download.com/

Search the site for recovery software. Be warned that the free to try software have either time limitations of limited functionality. But once it has done what you want you can uninstall it.

ACtheTROLL
Tue 06/05/08
23:22

I think the short answer is no (or to quote eliza doolittle .... not bl**dy likely).

this is good easy to use ... and free
http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/10/avira_unera se_personal.html
you can (literally) try for nowt

your problem is when you re-installed you will have overwritten some of the discspace - if you used a recovery disc ... that 's ALL the discspace

fraid you just learned the value of backups ..the hard way

Hymie
Wed 07/05/08
19:11

Computers, like me, are lazy and do as little as they can get away with.
When you delete something from your wastebasket, the computer simply notes that the hard disc space occupied by the item can be overwritten when more storage is needed (and Windows cannot find the item).
Similarly when you re-format a dive (not low level), the computer only writes what it needs to.

This is why whenever disposing of your old PC you should remove the hard drive and smash it to a pulp (otherwise Nigerian scammers may get hold of your bank details).

I have recovered information from a hard drive that died and had to be re-formatted before the PC would recognise it to be present.

IKnow73
Sat 10/05/08
20:44

Send me a PM and I can help you.

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