Need some serious help (formatted WRONG partition!)

[thirdlegstump]

Ok I may look like a total idiot to you but here's what happened:
I am running win2k on an ntfs partition and the same hd that it's on also has a fat32 partition on it which I store my documents etc. I wanted to reinstall windows but this time back to 98 so I can run a certain program (protools free). I booted off a 98 boot disk and formatted C: I never realized what I've done until it was too late. I didn't know that it didn't see the ntfs partition and instead looked at the fat32 partition as C:!!!!!!!! I have some VERY important files on the other partition that I've just formatted and I need them back. Is there anything I can do to fully restore all the files on that formatted partition? I have not written anything to that partition so I don't think I've overwritten anything over the physical area. I have been working around in the C: partition after I rebooted back into the win2k enviroment. PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

 

[h0vic]

I doubt you will be able to recover everything, but there are programs out there that can recover data. One of these programs is Norton Rescue.

 

[thirdlegstump]

oright thanks. I'll check it out

 

[thirdlegstump]

I went to symantec's site but I don't see a product named Norton Rescue. I have the Norton Utilities 2001 but it doesn't have any program that can recover data from a formatted drive. Norton Unerase Wizard only works when you have the program installed prior to erasing the files. I didn't have any of these programs installed so they weren't 'protected.' Man what am I supposed to do?!?!

 

[neuralfx]

there actaully is a program from symantec called "unformat" is the name i believe, check the site again, i have actaully used it at work... seems to only work if you quick formated the drive though
-neural

 

[LickEmSmack]

You might try a program called Lost and Found amde by PowerQuest, the same people who make partition magic. I know that that program has saved my life numerous times, including the time I thought I lost all my MP3s!!

 

[Gustavus]

If you have Norton System Works you should be able to recover using the Unformat.

1. Insert the Norton Emergency Disk 1 and restart your computer
2. Use the Up Arrow/Down Arrow keys to select Unformat and press ENTER
3. Read the Unformat message. Press ENTER
4. Use the Up Arrow/Down Arrow to select the drive you want to unformat
5. Follow the on screen instructions to recover your disk automatically


VIP!!
Do not install Norton System Works. That will overwrite existing files. Just use the Emergency disk

 

[thirdlegstump]

I don't have system works, only the normal utilities.