Data Recovery Forums - Help & Discussions

mpt_5 · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

I have a computer that have two drives c and d with OS in C drive.
C drive actually contains a lot of stuff I need.
D drive contains nothing important.

I encounter a error with starting the OS: missing hal.dll.

So, I tried to install windows xp in d drive using a CD and succeed.

Then,without making a copy of C to D, using the sony file reovering system, I tried to recover the system in C.
This means that I will be overwriting my C drive. As a result, I immidiately turn the power off. However, the file system for c is still damaged.

How do I recover the files under C?

Thanks a lot.

vicky · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

Well, in your case I think you would like to recover the document and settings folder which contains the user information.

You can try any good data recovery utility to scan the drive and recover the data but don't use c:, try to use d:, don't install any utility of c:

I will suggest that you should download the demo version of Data Recovery Software . Here you will find Geeksnerds Windows Data Recovery Software, install the demo and scan the c:, if the software shows you your data, it means that the data is recoverable.

mpt_5 · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Currently,I cannot reboot from my hard drive because the files structure of C is desotroied.

In order to install a new OS on D, I have to format C first.
Do you think i would have a chance to get my files back.

By the way, do you think the format on C is high level format?

vicky · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

If you are using windows Vista then don't format the drive, but if you are using Windows Xp, there is no harm in formatting the drive but it will make the recovery process more complicated so it is suggested that you should take out the drive and scan it for lost data using some other computer.

mpt_5 · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

If I formated the drive, how can I recover the data?
In thoery, this should not be hard to do since I only delete the directory paths. What's the most efficent way of doing this?

Thanks a lot for your quick reply.

vicky · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

Recovering data is not an easy task so before formatting it is always advised to backup data. I told you the best way is to take the drive out, connect it with some other computer and backup your data.
Although it is possible to recover formatted data, it is even possible to recover data where you have deleted the partition but are you willing to take risk. This depends upon you because all the theories will fail once you have done something wrong, that is why it is said that its better to pay to get you precious data then to lose it altogether

mpt_5 · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

The data I have is not precious enough that I am willing to pay $500 for it.
I just want to get my computer working.
Recovering the data is a bonus in this case.(Even if just 50%)

Can you show me a way to recover?

Thank you so much.

vicky · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

If your data is not important then you should use the other partition to install operating system then you can download any recovery software to recovery data.