*I fixed it* - One last question!

[mitchafi]

Well like an idiot I deleted the wrong partition when installing windows. I haven't reformatted that hard drive yet, so is there any way I can get the stuff back?

 

[nageov3t]

I'd suggest GetBackData (I think that's the name of the program). it's not free, but there's a trail that will let you see if your data is even recoverable, and the real program will recover the data for you.

 

[shortylickens]

I think you have two options.

Intall your OS on another hard drive (since you will have to eventually). When you're all set up, put the other hard drive back in, don't boot from it. Then copy your files straight over.

The other option is to find a Linux Live cd and boot from it. You will have an operating system to use without going through the installation. Then you can move files around or burn them to a disc.

If you don't have a friend with a CD burner or broadband connection this may be difficult. Also Linux is not easy to figure out when you have to right at the last minute.

 

[mitchafi]

Well the partition I deleted was actually on my WD1200JB, which I use only for storage and some apps. So basically, I can just unplug the 1200JB, install windows on my raptor, plug the 1200JB back in, go into windows, and I will see the files? I also heard about a program called partition-magic that may be able to help me but when I googled it, it came up with about 50 different programs. As far as linux, I'd like to avoid it but will learn it as a last resort. But yes, I do have broadband as well as multiple other PC's with burners.

 

[shortylickens]

My apologies for being so incredibly simple earlier.

I SHOULD have said, once in your OS you can run file recovery and partition utilities to try finding your data.

There is only one true Partition Magic, made by Powerquest. I'm not familiar with the shareware and full version programs.
Norton also has file recovery utilities.
You might go to downloads.com and look for some shareware and freeware programs.

 

[mitchafi]

bah..so after I get back into the OS I have to go looking for utilities that might be able to get back the data? In that case, I'll look up GetBackData like loki suggested but if that doesn't work any other suggestions?

 

[beatle]

I did the same thing. :| I managed to restore 1.5 of the 40GB I lost. I googled for data recovery programs and looked in the software forum for things to try. I don't recall what I used.

 

[mitchafi]

will partition magic work?

 

[Ionizer86]

I remember there was a free recovery utility, but I can't seem to remember what it was called. It seemed to give me the same results as a trial program I used (though the trial program wouldn't give me back full access to the data).

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm

 

[mitchafi]

Well I tried pcinspector, partition magic, and getbackdata and the only one that I could retrieve the data with is GetBackData...but I can't afford it. pcinspector didnt seem to recognize the drive...perhaps i am not using it correctly? Any other suggestions guys? Getting desperate here

 

[suklee]

Ouch. Sorry to hear man :brokenheart:

Hope you get that partition back!
:beer:

 

[xylem]

Diskexplorer, EasyRecovery, Restorer2000, Zero Assumption Recovery Toolkit are some programs that come up, I remember one more and will post if I can find it.

 

[mitchafi]

w00t! EasyRecovery did the trick. I got every single file back. Thanks for all the suggestions and help. Now how do I format the drive and make it ready to use again? It shows up in windows device manager as well as in bios but it doesn't show up as a drive in the my computer window.

 

[SickBeast]

Well first BACK EVERYTHING UP...then:

-boot from the Windows XP CD
-when it asks you where to install to, delete any partitions that you don't want, then create a new one, format, and install to it

 

[mitchafi]

Actually, I don't want to install anything on this drive. The OS is on my raptor not this drive. So will the windows disc let me format the drive and then not install anything on it?

 

[SickBeast]

In that case, your easiest option would be to go into your Administrative Tools in XP and choose Computer Management, then choose Disk Management, then you should be able to manage your partitions and format them if necessary.

The XP CD can delete/create/format partitions but it's a bit of a PITA, especially since it will want to start copying windows files onto the hard drive.

 

[mitchafi]

thanks sickbeast, I'm formatting the drive to NTFS in windows right now. Seems to be taking a long time considering I already wrote 0's to it, but I'm sure that's normal. Thanks again all for the help. Never will I delete a wrong partition again.