Re: HELP!!!! Re: In-place installation of XP!

From: R. McCarty (PcEngWork-NoSpam__at_mindspring.com)
Date: 01/21/05 

Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 18:46:08 GMT

Opps, doesn't quite describe it. I won't even mention the value
of backups/images at this point. First thing is Stop using the PC
immediately.
 What you've done is marked all the disk space that contains
your data as free space. (Profile). What amount of content you
can recover - Depends on how XP reinstalled itself and which
areas of disk space it wrote to.
 You need a data recovery tool. Essentially, it scans the drive &
finds folders and files that are disjointed. They still exist but do
appear in explorer or other traditional views. The tool will build
a list of recoverable data. Some of these tools are free others
are not.
 If this data is critical, locate a local shop or PC technician who
can recover data for you. The more you use the PC, the more
of the disjointed content will vanish.
 If you do manage to get out of this situation, seriously consider
backing up data or imaging your entire system.
 Others on the NG can probably advise you on which tool to use.
The one I use in my business is not easy to manipulate. If you do
the recovery incorrectly - your chances of getting any useful data
may be lost.

"Accidentally Re-installed Over My XP"
<AccidentallyReinstalledOverMyXP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3C729D1C-F200-47EC-8A08-5A7E27268968@microsoft.com...
>I had a Trojan virus on my computer that SpyBot, Xoftspy, and tons of other
> virus removers couldn't get rid of. I thought I'd reinstall Windows XP. I
> didn't back my files up onto a separate computer or disk though. So, when
> I
> re-installed XP today, now every personal file/data I ever had on my
> computer is GONE.
>
> GONE!!!! Having a heart attack over here.
>
> I discovered that the installation I did this morning REPLACED the
> installation of XP that I had before and so, it looks like a brand-new
> computer--no documents, files, music, etc. In the article above, it
> recommends as a solution to download XP Service Pack 2. Can I ever get
> back
> my original installation of XP when I've essentially taped over/installed
> over it?
>
> This is the equivalent of taping over your wedding video (original XP
> installation with all my files, documents, pictures, music, etc.) with a
> hockey game (today's installation--empty, new, all personal data files
> gone).
> My question is, can I get the wedding video part back? MS customer service
> didn't have a clue. Not paying $35 if I can get help here for free.
>

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