Retrieving info from Hard drive.?

Question

I took my computer into a shopand asked to save what was on the computer ...they said okay but they crashed their equipment and my info was wiped. Well I know it is still there I spent $100 to have it checked ...so I didn't use it as I wanted to retain the info. Pictures of a child we lost. the quote was 1200$US I don't have that and wondered if things are less expensive now...that was about 2 years ago. Thanks

Once I realized what happened I bought another comouter so as not to over write the hard drive. It looks like all the files are there.

Answer 1

First you should check what are the files in good condition on your hard disk.
connect your hard disk having data to be recovered as a slave disk, (taking out the tiny plastic connector inserted above the pins behind the hard disk, and then connecting the hard disk to a slot available in the computer will automatically configure it as a slave disk) Then you have to see if it is recognized in the bios. If you are able to connect the hard disk as a slave disk, then you willl see C,D,E,F etc partitions on the computer. They are mixed. C belongs to one hard disk, and D to other. So you have to open the partition to identify which hard disk it belongs to)

Check all the partitions and then copy any data found immediately on cd/dvd.

If you do not find what you were looking for on the hard disk, the you can try it with a file recovery software.
Below is a link of free file recovery software. You have to install it on a different hard disk having windows, (Do not install the software/any software on the same hard disk that you want to recover data from. Installation of a new program will wipe out previous data present on the hard disk)
and
Instructions of use are given in the help files with the programs.
Free file recovery software PC Inspector
http://download.pcinspector.de/pci_filerecovery.exe

Once you run the program to check for lost files on the disk you specify.
You will see a list of files on the screen. All the files will have lost their names, and given arbitrary names with numbers. You have to identify the file that you want to get back by its file extension. If you want to get back a photo, then look for files with extensions bmp,jpg/jpeg,tiff,gif etc.
Once you locate the file then you can click on it and press the appropriate button to retrieve it back to your desktop.

(Read the help files provided with the pc-inspector program)

Answer 2

Hook it up with another computer, not necessearily an external harddrive box reader or stuff like that. Just ask a friend who knows some stuff about computers. It would be a bit of a problem if it's a laptop.
If your hard still works but the files are deleted, just install a file recovery software and the software help file tells ya what to do.

There're many of'em softwares. I personally recommend RecoverMyFiles, you can download the trial versions on the download.com website.

If the shareware versions (or trial versions) worked correctly, buy the software.

Rule of thumb, important files should be backed up on CDs, DVDs, and soon Blu-rays :-)

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It is the nightmare of every computer user that stores important information on their computer’s hard drive. Data loss is not only frustrating and time-consuming, but in cases of sentimental or irreplaceable information, it can also be devastating.
I know one software can do this i tm sure the name is
"Recover My Files" try to get some info on this and maybe you can download for free.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If you have another computer you should be able to get a external hardrive reader and hook up that to the new computer and check what is on the older hardrive. If that does not work, sorry I can't help you there.

I hear that you can get a portable hardrive reader for around $20 on the internet.

Answer 5

If you have a computer that is working right now you may be able to stick this old harddrive into it and get files off it if it is still in tack. Sorry about your loss.

PS: Computer shops are junk. Buncha Crooks I Say.