PC Recovery

[JimiP]

OK, I had some strange problem with Windows last night to where it simply would not load up. I would boot up my PC (which is an HP Pavilion a1250n) and it would start to load up Windows and right when it got to the welcome screen it would immediately go back to the HP BIOS screen when you first boot up the PC. It would do this every time. I could not get into Windows even through safe mode. As I was frustrated, I chose the PC Recovery option on the HP BIOS screen and went through with it. My PC is now back to factory settings and I need to know if I can somehow dig in to my HDD to retrieve some important files; photos and music inventory.

It's important that I get these files back. Is it possible to use some free software program that allows me to go in and pick and choose what files I want to get off the HDD? I heard a rumor that data is not completely deleted unless it is overwritten by something. Is this true?

Thanks in advance.
-JimiP

 

[mechBgon]

Uh oh :Q Try this thread for some resources. Your best bet is to NOT operate the computer any more. Take its HDD out and put it in a different computer, because otherwise you're overwriting the stuff you need to rescue.

 

[lyssword]

yeah you should have quit after computer not turning on again, and connect hd to another comp and transfer files But I think ther still could be some hope

 

[JimiP]

Some unfortunate news. I was able to find the files by using some PC File Recovery software but when I found them, almost all of my files were infected by some nasty virus. All my files were named; AXEL.DAV. I looked it up and the virus can be taken care of but the files themselves like photos and such are gone.

Ugh!

Anyways, thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

 

[mechBgon]

Interesting! If you have any idea where the virus would've come from (new website, possible Trojan Horse, a link in IM or email, etc), I'd be interested in knowing. PM me if you want to.

 

[engineereeyore]

Yeah, the files should still be there unless they've been overwritten. A good program to use is Easy Recovery. It can pull up folders and files and tries to maintain labels, but it doesn't always work. Usually is able to determine file types though, so you can search for all .jpg images and it'll list them for you. We used it all the time at a computer helpdesk I used to work at.