Partitions dissapeared

2 of my partitions have disappeared (partitions of the main drive). I found some software that shows what appears to be remnants of the data from those partitions scattered across my computer, hidden from view and with corrupted looking file names.
One of the missing partitions contained my photo and image collection of around 70 gigs and the other missing partition contained mostly misc. files/folders.
The program I am using says to copy the found pieces into another location but what then? It's all corrupted.

Is there any way I can get this data back and reassembled with a (free or cheap) program? My backup routine is what saved my butt but still I don't really know what was lost on the smaller partition.

MORE IMPORTANTLY:
If I can't get the data back- what has become of the hard drive space that's gone? (200 gigabytes?) Do I have to reformat?
How can I find out how this happened in the first place to avoid a future repeat?
1-I reinstalled my printer driver the evening before-and it was a troublesome install- might that have caused this mess?
2-Could I have been hacked by a mean person? That's how it feels like although it probably isn't the case.
3-Could the partitions just die overnight with no warning?

 

I just reinstalled my entire system- exactly one month ago
The last time I used system restore it lost/deleted many files. Since then my backups are more thorough but I would still rather not use it- although that sounds like a better option than reinstalling.

You are correct about the version etc...I forgot about that. I actually will download the program that is mentioned in the other thread. (I do have sound now!)

 

Well this is discouraging. System Restore did not recover the partitions. A program called PC Inspector File Recovery System was the only program that could find scattered bits of corrupted files. I tried two others that didn't find anything.
EVEREST Free Edition 2.20 is a nifty program but I won't trouble anyone with my report. Going to fresh reinstall again.
Thanks anyways.

 

I don't see why you would need to reinstall?

Have you tried Partition Wizard? Let it scan for lost Partitions and if it finds anything you can double click the partition to see if your files are there. Home version is free. http://www.partitionwizard.com/help/partition-recovery.html

 

I'm going to reinstall because I've spent entirely to much time trying to recover what was lost or has become corrupted and I have a life to live. Clean reinstall of everything will fix pretty much everything. Thanks anyway.