lost photos

[red robbo]

my cmputer recently crashed, i had to use recovery .i lost the family photos .can anyone tell me if i can get them back thank you

[vehelpfulguy]

Files that are "lost" on a computer are usually still there, it is just the pointer to them that is lost.

If the pointer is lost then Windows cannot find them, but they may still be there.

There are various utilities that will hunt your hard disk for lost files. I have never used one so cannot say what one is best.

I went to download.com and searched for "recover lost files" and this list was returned.

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl -20&qt=recover%20lost%20files&tag=srch

You will have to see what one looks the best.

You could search download.com for other words like "hard disk recovery" and so on.

While doing this

DO NOT FORMAT YOUR HARD DISK.

DO NOT MAKE LOTS OF CHANGES TO YOUR HARD DISK. Lost files may be overwritten if the space is needed for new data.

[rojash]

Unfortunately, if you used the recovery disk to return the machine to its original ex-shop condition, then you will need a camera and a time machine.

But you haven't said exactly what you mean by "had to use the recovery". If you could be more specific, you just might get a more optimistic answer.

[rojash]

Sorry, VHG, typing while you were posting...

[vehelpfulguy]

I realise you have learnt the hard way, but now you know why people go on about BACKING UP YOUR FILES.

Get a CD or DVD writer if your PC has not got one, and back up personal files (photos, homework, letters etc etc) to CD or DVD on a REGULAR basis.

A computer or hard disk can crash in a moment and all your files can be lost.

A computer can also be stolen (very easy if it is a laptop) so always think of the "worst case scenario". If I lost my computer what would be very hard to recorver.

BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP

[vehelpfulguy]

Just read the append by rojash and perhaps we need to explain why we ask about what you mean by "recovery".

Windows XP has something called "system restore". This allows you to take Windows back to a previous day and time, before you had problems (maybe back to yesterdays version of Windows).

All this does is replace some major Windows files with older versions and leaves the rest of the hard disk pretty much alone.

If you have done this then your photos may still be there and you may be able to recover them.

The other sort of recovery is where you use a CD supplied by the pc or laptop maker to restore your computer to the state is was when you bought it.

This process normally FORMATS the hard drive (wipes everything off it) and re-installs Windows.

If you have done this then your photos have probably gone forever.

(I should say here that a format does not FULLY wipe everything and people like the police and MI5 can often get information off a hard disk that has been formatted).

You could TRY one of the utilities I mentioned above, but if you have done a format your chances of getting the pictures back are slim.

There are companies that offer to get data off a hard disk, but it can often cost hundreds of pounds and is usually only worth it for business people.

[bekka]

If you haven't reformatted then a recovery prog does work...only 9 times out of 10 once you have downloaded the free recovery program or trial - you can recover your files but then have to pay to register it to save them...rather useless if you're short on cash at the time.

This one

http://www.recuva.com/

is COMPLETELY FREE and works great...they also have a support forum.

[ACtheTROLL]

personally ... I think you are on a looser
just because a file has the same name doesn't mean that XP will put the file in the same place (NTFS just doesn't work like that)

This is sort of shutting the stable door a little too late .... but for future emergencies ....
if you still haven't backed up your files .... the first rule is .... DON'T do ANYTHING that will cause a disc write (that includes re-starting the machine)
use a bootable recovery CD ....
Knoppix .... is great
Ultimate boot CD is OK also
(you need to practice BEFORE you need them!!!)

Generally a corrupt O/s doesn't mean ALL your files are gone ....so keep calm

knoppix has a CD/DVD burner so just transfer the files to CD/DVD.

even better .... fit a second HDD and use that to save files ....(you also need a seperate backup)

that way if you loose windows ... your precious files are less likely to be involded in the accident .... a rebuild shouldn't affect them at all