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Data Recovery

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by exodos

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I have a hard drive that was previously a Windows 98 drive, w/ FAT32 file system. Ghost was used to take it to Windows XP pro w/ NTFS. Is there a way, short of professional data recovery, to restore the original state of the drive. At least to recover some files that were on it, previous to the ghost operation. There was appearently data that needed to be saved and no one told us. Classic story.

6 replies

by jschein

I use a program called "Easy Recovery"

As long as the bios identifies the hard drive, it will be able to scour that drive for previous files, deleted files, corrupt files, etc.

Excellent program to dig in overwritten information and get what you need.

by joseph moore

The Ghost image did a full format, or just a file system conversion from FAT32 to NTFS?
If it was a format, then only a pro data restoration outfit might have something that could possibly scrape a few bytes together from the original FAT32 partition.

by mrafrohead

Go with the first answer... Easy Recovery Pro from Ontrack works VERY well.

Also you can try R-Studio, that works pretty good too...

Just remember this. DONT use that hard drive again until you start your recovery. It will pull all of the information that has not been overwritten. Just a format or conversion of file systems will not make the data unrecoverable.

You'll be scared when you see what you can recovery from a hard drive that has been formatted...

Mrafrohead

by wlbowers

Ok you've heard from several that recommend you go for it. Now hear from a different camp.

How important is that data.

With every access of that drive, every time you boot to it you corrupt and reduce the ability to recover data from it.

Since it is not a head crash you have a better than normal chance of being able to recover your information.

A recovery company with an extractor can pull and recompile data from some of the worst conditions imaginable. They will charge partitaly on the basis of how long it ties up that extractor. The more overwritten it is the longer it has to stay on the extrator.

The decision is yours.

Good Luck Lee

PS Been there don that.

by otl

Format floppy then give it to customer/employee and say this is all we found on HD!

If data was that important why was it not on other meadia/network drive.

With defragging, formating, system load, swap files, is the data that important! If so why was it not backed up ? Why was this not translated to tech when delivered for repair ? Just because the individual does not communicate requirements, does not mean they are right !

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