[gamer0n1]

Hi, I just did a pc recovery on my computer. I didnt realize it would delete everything in My Documents. Is there anyway to recover those files?

[mphenterprises]

Hi Gamer. Well, if you did a traditional reinstallation, insert the Windows CD, ran the Installation process and used the existing partition (hard drive), unfortunately no, you will not be able to recover anything. A recovery process is meant to restore a computer to its original condition.

Now, if you had the Operating System on one hard drive (partition) and files on another, then you would have no problem. I gather this is not what you had, correct?

[gamer0n1]

No I just restart my copmuter and hit F10 for recovery

[mphenterprises]

Okay, so you used the recovery partition. Well, unfortunately, same difference. For future reference, you may want to look into either partitioning your hard drive, if you have enough space, or cloning your hard drive. Neither option is hard to do, you would just have to follow specific directions.

- To learn more about cloning, read this Document.

- To learn more about partitioning your hard drive, read this Document.

[gamer0n1]

So... basically I cant recover those files?

[mphenterprises]

Hi Gamer. Once you started the recovery process, you reverted your computer back to its original state.....subsequently removing all programs, files, and settings that you had previously. The only way to avoid this in the future is to do one of the options listed above....or do basic backup procedures such as CDs/DVDs, Online Storage, external hard drive, etc.





I'm sorry this is not the information you wanted to hear but you know the old saying, "hindsight is 20/20."

[gamer0n1]

Oh well thanks anyways

[smax013]

There is a slight chance that a file recovery program might be able to recovery some of your files. Unless the recovery process completely rewrote over the ENTIRE drive, it is likely that some data is still there. In theory, only data that is overwritten with something else should be completely gone. You could try a program such as Data Rescue PC. You can download a demo version that will supposedly at least detect if it can find files that it believes it can recover. If it finds anything, you can then debate if you want to spend the money to buy the program to see if it can successfully recover the files.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Smax. I am not sure it is that simple. This is not a situation where Gamer accidentially deleted files. He essentially reformatted his entire computer using the built-in recovery process (partition). I would gather that Gamer has two partitions. The standard C: drive and the recovery partition. If he or she would have paritioned the C: drive and stored files within that partition, there shouldn't be an issue. However, unless there is more to this situation, I do not believe he or she ever partitioned that drive or backed up his or her files.

I started to lean towards your suggestion of Data Rescue but I really do not think this application is applicable here. Luckily, as you pointed out, it costs nothing to try but I would be very shocked if anything comes from this.

Gamer, if you try Smax's suggestion, please tell us if it worked for you. If it does, this will open up a host of possibilities.

[smax013]

mphenterprises said:

Hi Smax. I am not sure it is that simple. This is not a situation where Gamer accidentially deleted files. He essentially reformatted his entire computer using the built-in recovery process (partition). I would gather that Gamer has two partitions. The standard C: drive and the recovery partition. If he or she would have paritioned the C: drive and stored files within that partition, there shouldn't be an issue. However, unless there is more to this situation, I do not believe he or she ever partitioned that drive or backed up his or her files.

I started to lean towards your suggestion of Data Rescue but I really do not think this application is applicable here. Luckily, as you pointed out, it costs nothing to try but I would be very shocked if anything comes from this.

Gamer, if you try Smax's suggestion, please tell us if it worked for you. If it does, this will open up a host of possibilities.

I will agree that it will not likely result in a positive result, let alone a completely positive result (i.e. all files recovered). However, formatting a drive does NOT always completely re-write the complete drive (it depends on the format process). Unless a file is overwritten with another file/other data, theoretically the file is still present on the drive. More than likely some (even most) of the files have been either partially or completely overwritten when the recovery process was completed (i.e. overwritten with the OS and applications during the recovery process). Thus, those files will not be able to recovered by conventional means (I believe there are some VERY advanced methods that might help, but they are rather expensive). If a file has NOT been overwritten, then it could in theory be recovered. This would be no different than a file that had been deleted but not overwritten.

[gamer0n1]

Okay.. I'll give it a shot and tell you guys the results