Need to Recover a Reformatted Hard Drive

I have an hp pavilion dv6-3034 that was stolen and the hard-drive restored to factory defaults. Fortunately, I got the laptop back within a couple of days. I had important files on my computer--from pictures to icons, from businss files to personal files, etc. I need those files back.

What do you recommend?

 

I've had good success with iCare Data Recovery. While it's not free, it allows you to use a trial to see what files it can find before you buy it.

There are free programs, such as Recuva, but I've found they just don't do the job NEARLY as well... you can try them first, though.

 

Some files will simply not be recoverable because they have been overwritten.

You can try PowerDataRecovery as a free option to see what it finds. Be sure to click the option for "I am a Home User" when the program starts or it will ask for an upgrade before file recovery is possible.

It would be best to stop using the laptop and remove the HD and connect it to another computer. Then install powerdatarecovery on the other computer and see what it can find on the laptop HD. Otherwise if you must install the program to the laptop (which will further reduce the number of files recoverable) then as with any recovery program working with a laptop you will have to use a USB flash drive or external hard drive as the destination to save any recoverable files.

ICare may include a bootable disc which would be useful to avoid installing a program on the laptop HD. yet avoid the need to connect the HD to another computer; I'm not familiar with the program.

 

While iCare doesn't include a bootable disk, it CAN be installed onto a USB flash drive to prevent further data loss. Just remember that simply even USING the computer writes data to the drive (temp files, internet browser cache, etc.).

Here's the link to the program:

http://www.icare-recovery.com/

Honestly, as sach2 suggested, removing the drive and using iCare on a different machine would be your best bet. You can use an adapter such as this to connect the drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002

I have one and have used it many times to recover data off of drives. It can be used to connect to pretty much any hard drive.

And also as sach2 mentioned, it's VERY important that you recover the files to a different drive.

 

Re: ICareRecovery--Need to Recover a Reformatted Hard Drive

So, I have put off and put off trying to recover the data on my computer, :cry primarily due to frustration/heavy-heartedness/fear.

• Frustrated that I have to do it all and frustrated that I cannot scream and yell at the responsibile individual (would do no good)
• Heavy-hearted knowing who put me in this position and heavy-hearted knowing the unreplaceable data that is in my notebook
• Fearful that I won't be able to recover these files

Enough whining for now. Guess I should ask my questions.

There are about 135 partitions with file systems that range from FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS. I looked in Partition 1 and what I seemed to have found are pix that were on facebook. (Go figure--none of my own photos--just internet photos.)

:confused Where should I find my recovered files? I only recognized a few of the pictures. I did find about 4 files with names that I recognized; however, a preview showed garbage (like opening an adobe file with msword). Other than that, I could not find any other files. Could they be on the other partitions? How do I know which ones to check? Would I be better off to take my notebook in to a repair store for assistance?

Any help you can provide me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so very much for all of your advice and support.

(PS: I apologize for the chatter. I guess I just needed to vent.)

 

If only... :-o

I am so overwhelmed...the list is quite long! Do you recommend one of the programs over the others for my situation? Is one is easier/better than the others for a hard drive that was reformatted twice?