disaster accidentally set to ntfs and need old fat32 files

[bardakkalem]

Hi everybody,

I reinstalled my xp pro a few days ago. A friend advised me to set ntfs instead of fat32, which I did (sorry for my language, I'm a not an expert, thanks. Unfortunately we forgot to copy to cd a few very important files and folders which were on D partition. They are my last four months' work so you can realize how deadly I need them (I'm a script writer, by the way). I tried several recovery programs and demos I downloaded. But as I didn't know and understand what exactly I should do, so as a result: nothing. I've read a lot of recovery subjects on your forums but couldn't find a similar one to mine. There I decided to join your forum. If in any some way somebody could help me will save my life. I thank you all in advance.
take care.
Bardakkalem

 

[comtec17]

If you have formatted the drive, repartitioned the drive during setup, or changed the FS type, your chances of recovering this data is less than 1%. This is due to realignment of sectors and blocks on the disk.

My 2cents worth.

 

[bardakkalem]

Thank you comtec17.
But what is that 1%?

 

[comtec17]

Sending it off to a clean room recovery site and spending $thousands to maybe reclaim files.

 

[dbData]

Here's another 2 cents...

First thing I'd do is image the drive(subject), sector for sector, to another drive(destination). The destination drive will need to be exactly the same size as the original in terms or heads/cylinders/sectors. Easiest way to accomplish that would be to buy another drive identical to the subject. After imaging, perform all subsequent instructions provided here only on the destination drive not the subject drive!

Delete existing partitions and repartition the drive EXACTLY the same way it was prior to your changes.

Format the partitions with the same file system that existed prior to the changes (in your case FAT32) with a quick format.

Then try running a data extraction tool. I like R-Studio, many in this forum seem to like GetDataBack.

If that doesn't work the data is likely overwritten. Your last hope would be to pay a data recovery service company to get the files.

Information about the software that performs the functions indicated can be found at the web site listed below.




Rick

http://www.data-recovery-hub.com

 

[bardakkalem]

Hi Rick,

I thank you very much. I'll try and give you news asap.
se you
bardakkalem

 

[JJKebab]

I think you're odds of getting data back are better than 1%. As long as all you have done is reformat and install xp then there is a very good chance a professional could get the data back. I know this because I do it every day!

 

[terrytree]

Hello,

You can try EASEUS DataRecoveryWizard utility. Speaking about me, it is easily able to recover deleted, lost file and unformat drive.
The tool helped me once. So I really recommended the recover tool. please download demo version to try

http://www.easeus.com/download.htm

http://www.easeus.com/