Help please: recover an unassigned partition

[philippe53]

Hi,

I am experiencing some difficulties (and worries) on a PC. I wanted to reinstall the operating system (WinME). Before anything else, I used Partition Magic to split the hard drive in 2 separate partitions of 40GB each, one with the operating system and programs and a second partition for all the documents. I then used Tinys recovery disc to boot the system and reinstall WinMe.

Now, this is where I am really worried: I then realized that the partition I had previously created with all the critical backup documents, had disappeared, sucked away by the reinstallation process. Now, Partition Magic tells me that there is an unassigned partition 12Gb. Is there any chance that the back up data could be there. Please tell me it is !! But please could someone advise on how to retrieve what can be recovered.

I hope my explanations do make sense do some of you. I do realise now, a little bit too late that I should really have done my back up on a disk !!

After a bit of browsing on the net, I got hold of a tool called Easy Recovery. At this stage, I am waiting for advice from someone with previous experience in this matter.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Philippe

[Ecossais]

You might want to try Tinys technical helpline (if youre in the UK). Its a 1 a minute premium rate number (0906 558 0232 weekdays 0900 1800, 0906 558 0234 other times) or you can email them. Click on the service and support tab on http://www.tiny.com

Although Ive no experience of Tinys support, I have had to contact Packard Bells support line a couple of times over the years and found that the guys on the end of the line knew their stuff and were able to resolve my issues in a few minutes. A 10 minute premium rate call will certainly be cheaper than a visit to a repairer.

Good luck - I hope you get your missing data back!

[Ckeywood]

Phillipe, if you are still having problems please mail to manchecomp@wanadoo.fr My husband may be able to help you.

[Hegs]

Phillipe,

I know this is no use to you right now, but in general remember any hard drive can fail at any time so anything critical should be backed up onto another hard drive at least.

I don't know about Tiny's CD but the installation CD for the (EMachines) Window I had for WinMe restored the machine to exactly the state it was when it shipped - i.e. it destroyed all partitions.

The recovery program might work, but if the data is really critical, I suggest instead you contact a professional data recovery agency like www.vogon-data-recovery.com/ (no connection but have heard good things about them from several sources).

Best of luck, Ian

[Iceni]

Phillippe

As a 1000% technophobe, I am curious as to why you chose to partition your hard disk. I thought that the need for that disappeared sometime last century.

John
http://www.iceni-it.co.uk

[George]

Philippe

I'm not sure this is going to sound helpful or not. There is no short answer, as it depends on a number of factors such as, if any reformatting has taken place. It is likely that this would happen when using the Tiny system disk, but not necessarilly so and also what if any space was available. Like John, I too am curious to know why you chose to repartition the disk, unless it was to run with the option of two different operating systems. I suspect not and therefore for future reference feel it would have been better to install a second hard drive, one for the operating system and one for data.

As to Vogon, they offer an excellent service, but expensive. Only you can decide if its worth it. You may now have nothing to lose but try the recovery options you have found.

There is much information about partitoning available, the following link might give some added info.

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/part.htm

I fear the worst, but wish you luck.

regards
George, Kent & 72

[Cricri]

Hi Philippe,

If you are still having problems revovering your data let me know. All l need is your hard drive and the location of your data and l will recover it. I can even recover data from a computer that won't boot (work), safe mode, etc. If your hard drive is making strange noises then l'm affraid it is terminal and it will need specialist to recover the data.

Regards

Terry

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Hi Philippe

I'm a bit late on the scene on this one but before you do anything else you need to stop and decide what value the data has to you.

If you're prepared to lose it all but have a go yourself then go ahead. If it's worth a lot to you (and I'm talking hundred, possibly thousands) then send it to a professional outfit like Vogon. As mentioned above they aren't cheap, but if you've made the problem worse by DIY then it will either cost more or more likely be unrecoverable.

By the way, I'd also recommend you avoid Windows ME too - if your PC will support it then go for 2000 or XP, if not get a copy of 98 SE instead.

Good luck!