I need some expert advice on data recovery with a laptop.

[de8212]

I formatted my dell laptop and forgot to back up a few files. I have read others say to put the hard drive in another machine and use data recovery software. But they were referring to desktop pc's. Is there any possible way I can do this after I formatted and then reinstalled windows?

 

[Vegito]

you can recover if you formatted because you haven't written new info on. If you install stuff over it, chances are you over-written certain portion of the hdd data. Usually you take a notebook drive, get a 2.5 to 3.5 drive converter (ebay) about 5 bucks. Run unerase/undelete/unformat/cluster data parser software on the pc and recover your stuff.

Good luck

 

[TTM77]

LOL, ya you have to install the software which will write over your "undelete target file". You are done for. ha ha ha.

What Server usually do is create a ghost of the drive. I'm not sure if most of the laptop have 2 hard drive support. Anyway, I would say the cheapest and best way is to connect Ur laptop to a network and copy/backup your files like that. Cheaper and safer. Laptop lost, then U still have backup.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: TTM77
LOL, ya you have to install the software which will write over your "undelete target file". You are done for. ha ha ha.

What Server usually do is create a ghost of the drive. I'm not sure if most of the laptop have 2 hard drive support. Anyway, I would say the cheapest and best way is to connect Ur laptop to a network and copy/backup your files like that. Cheaper and safer. Laptop lost, then U still have backup.

He doesn't have the files TO backup.

Ghost does not usually copy anything but the filesystem instead of truely imaging the drive. Because his newly formatted filesystem is intact, this behavior will not copy the data remaining from the previous formated filesystem.

He doesn't have to install recovery software on the drive because he CAN install a laptop drive in a desktop system.

Also, he can boot a real OS from a PCMCIA or USB hard drive and run the recovery software that way. Most laptops can even boot from pseudo-hard drives from CompactFlash, Thumbdrives, XBOX memory cards, etc.

 

[mboy]

I had GREAT success with this:

http://r-studio.com/

have recovered data from Pc's that I deleted the partition but didnt write to remotely across network.
I was also able to retrieve data from a damaged RAD 5 Array (allocation table was wiped)

Should cost around $180 or so for what u need if memory servers me correct.
Nice product. Good support too.

Always a crap shoot when u wrote over the drive tho. DO NOT install anything else on the computer, dont even turn it on until u have this software as the more u use it, the more will be totaly lost forever.