I get a message saying something like Error Reading Disk. I tried rebooting with the Windows XP disk that came with my computer. It gave me 2 options: Install Windows XP or repair Windows XP. If I pick the repair option, I just get a DOS type prompt (C:\) with a heading that says type EXIT and press Enter to restart the computer. Doing that just leads to the original error message.
If I pick the Install Windows XP option, it tells me that my hard drive has 1 partition with the name [unknown] with 79 GB space, and all 79 GB is free. It asks if I want to install Windows in this partition. I did not dare say yes when I saw that all 79 GB is free.
What are my options for recovering my precious data?
2007-01-12 16:35:59 · 11 answers · asked by bratur 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Ok - way sucky situtation... been there.
DON'T reboot again... if you want to save your data you have some options still.
Go to a 'puter store and buy a new HDD and a program like Norton, that allows data scan and recovery.
Replace your HDD and reinstall windows... then install the data recovery program. Assuming a desktop - add your original drive as a secondary (if notebook - you'll need to get a drive caddy and connect via USB).
You should then be able to recover some or all of your data from the crashed drive.
Your other option is to take the drive in for data recovery... it can be expensive - but even if drive motors have failed or something has failed in the board circuitry... the data on the disk platters remains intact...
Ping me if you have more details, and I can narrow down options.
-dh
2007-01-12 16:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try some data recovery software, but you will need an extra hard drive to transfer the "recovered" data to. The recovery process involves re-writing the data, so you cannot "recover" your lost data to your same hard drive -- or you will overwrite some of the data you're trying to recover, which will render it unrecoverable.
If you have a spare hard drive to write to, try the following software:
Active Uneraser ($50) http://www.uneraser.com/
This will allow you to boot from a floppy disk or burnable CD-R and use the software. If you do not have a spare hard drive to write to, you may have to buy one. You could very well spend $200 on a new hard drive and the recovery software, but if you're data is important, I'd say it's worth it!
Plus, if it ever happens again in the future, at least you'd be prepared!
2007-01-12 16:49:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in the repair console i suggest typeing
Help and then hitting enter or it maybe /help i cant remember of hand...
that gives you a list of commands. ones you will probably use are chkdsk -r
then possibly a
fixmbr
fixboot
however if it says everything is free you may of formatted it without knowing...
If thats the case your options are to..
Get a data recovery program, even after a format they can recover tons of data.
or
spend a lot to have a company recover it all...
Up to you for how much the data is worth to you.
2007-01-12 16:41:37 · answer #3 · answered by dukejasonduke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the PC off and keep it off
Data is usually recoverable as many a criminal has found out to there cost
However
Data recovery can be very very expensive. Typically Au $300 for a quote. No work, just a quote.
Look to the phone book for data recovery agents.
2007-01-12 23:54:58 · answer #4 · answered by Gowrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Howdy,
The safest bet is take it to a computer shop. It normally only cost 10 - 30 dollars for them to safe the info off of the hard drive and put it on a cd for you. There they can also tell you whether or not your computer is able to be restored with the original parts. Hoped that helped.
2007-01-12 16:40:52 · answer #5 · answered by hilbej03 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you install onto the hard drive you will lose your data. Try using the drive as a slave on another computer and see if you can get your data off of it. If not, there are data recovery services, but they cost a great deal (sometimes over $1,000)
2007-01-12 16:39:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are ways of re-installing windows without loosing data, if you aren't familiar, don't try. I would take it to a computer shop if you want to save your data. That is your best bet. Your other option is to buy a new hard-drive and install windows on to that and use your old drive as a slave and copy the files you want (pictures, music, docs, etc.,) from old drive to your new hard-drive.
2007-01-12 17:22:46 · answer #7 · answered by Mt ~^^~~^^~ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if it is a name brand pc they often reinstall windows and all programs to factory spec on a partitioned drive, hp likes to name it drive D making the disc into E etc.. if it boots at all you can reinstall or repair from that partition.
2007-01-12 16:41:25 · answer #8 · answered by j_ardinger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A computer professional can recover your data.
2007-01-12 16:40:06 · answer #9 · answered by Speaking_Up 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a computer store like compusa or something. They often have tech departments that specialize in that type of thing.
2007-01-12 16:38:40 · answer #10 · answered by viscomunderground 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋