Legit Reviews

I need to find some good software that will retrieve data off a formatted HD. The external drive was plugged in during a re-install of windows and accidentally got formatted. (I could shoot myself for this one) I've found a bunch through google but would like to know if any of you have used anything like this in the past before I just pick one randomly and pay god knows how much.

We have all our family pics and business pics on the damn thing and I REALLY need them back.

Thanks!

Was the format quick or full?

Most of the apps that are available on the net will only work if the format was a quick one (i.e. it didn't write the whole drive with 0's).

It's worth trying to scan the drive with a couple of freeware programs before you try buying anything, I've had success with FreeUndelete and Undelete Plus in the past. Make sure that anything that you recover is saved to a separate hard drive to prevent overwriting the files that might be able to be saved.

Dan

Thank you Dan.

It was a quick format and I did find a program from the UK that showed me all my files but they wanted $69 for it. Kind of leery or spending $69 with an over seas company who's site looks kind of fishy.

Not that there's anything wrong with the UK mind you....as I notice where you're from.

http://www.file-recovery.net/order.htm

Active@ File Recovery - best one i have ever used! EASY to use and it has found everything i have ever deleted. I think there is a free trial that you can scan your drive with to see if it finds everything before you buy it.

Mike

I would say the standard or pro would be all you need I think I have the standard (not a new version though)

I did the same thing awhile back.. i was able ot get 90% of my files back with this program.
http://www.grandutils.com/Back2Life/
I tried some of the free ones but they didnt find as many of my old files.

I use Restorer2000 Pro for data recovery. It works pretty well. I didn't pay for it, though, my friend did, since her PC went fubar after the MBR got deleted/corrupted by some virus.

Just wanted to thank you all for the info. I ended up getting Back2Life and got 100% of my data back!!!!

I have now been upgraded from sleeping with the dog to my spot back on the sofa...and I have all of you to thank!!


THANK YOU!!!!


~Aegis

Great to hear you got everything back!!!

Mike

Kinda scares you though, especially if you ever formatted a drive and sold it thinking everything was gone ;)

KnightRid wrote:Kinda scares you though, especially if you ever formatted a drive and sold it thinking everything was gone ;)

That's why hard drive scrubbers exist.

KnightRid wrote:Kinda scares you though, especially if you ever formatted a drive and sold it thinking everything was gone ;)

Yea, it's scary. I had to retrieve some lost files too, and was glad that was able to, but nothing it really safe.

HDD scrubbers are useful.