Recovering files after a hard disc format

[hattster]

Is it possible to recover data once a format of the hard drive has been completed?

[Kerplunk]

Yes, you can get lots of file recovery software off the net. Google for file recovery and see what you get. Most will be trial versions but you can pay for the full versions if you wish. Also companies like Ontrack can do the job at a price.

[OBonio]

The software packages Kerplunk mentions will not be able to recover files after a format. Only specialist hardware can do this. Something to do with magnetic echoes or something. Anyway, there are data recovery companies out there who do this sort of thing for a price. It's not cheap.

[fo3nix]

I think it depends what type of format.

for a quick format, yes. for a general format, yes, but its harder. and for a low-level format, not sure you can at all.

so i think OBonio's answer may be right for your problem.

[Confab]

You can recover files after a format as all formatting does is to put new "magnetic markers" on parts of the drive. It doesn't erase anything at all so that any part of the drive that had files on it may still remain readable. If the drive is the only drive in your pc then everytime you use your pc you are reducing the chances of recovering anything because data is being written to it.

The best thing to do is to put the drive into another PC as a secondry drive. That way no further data will be written to it. Then try something like Bad Copy Pro. A free trial download is available from the company website

[qapmoc]

This site has a free data recovery program but it works file by file not for the whole drive. It is here

[Kerplunk]

OBonio you are mistaken. Software can recover files after a format. I have used several different ones including the software from ontrack and they recover files pretty well after a delete, format, or even sometimes certain types of hard drive failure.