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Help! Need to recover data from external USB HD

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - Help! Need to recover data from external USB HD

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SkinnyK   09-02-2008 at 02:58:09 AM

Ok, I am very desperate here. I just finished installing a new PSU into my PC and was about to install windows. I forgot I had my external USB HD hooked up still and I deleted the drives partition using the windows setup. NOTE: I did not format, just deleted the partition data. Is there any way I can recover the files? My entire life is on that drive, I am basically crying here. Please I need help badly.

To clarify a bit, when you are setting up windows the install asks you what you want to do with your drives, I deleted its partition, realized what I did and immediately shut off my PC, therefore I did nto reach the formatting section yet. (Windows XP)

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SomeJoe7777   09-02-2008 at 05:57:03 PM
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1. Disconnect your external drive, start over and proceed with your Windows installation on your internal hard drive.
2. Once Windows is up and running, plug the external hard drive in. Windows will tell you that the drive is not formatted and do you want to format it now? Do not format the drive. Just cancel.
3. Download the demo of Active@ Partition Recovery. Run it and see if it can detect the partition information on the external drive.
4. If it can, purchase it, and recover your partition.

If this doesn't work, post back, there is another program we can try, but it's more complicated.

------------------------------ - SomeJoe7777

"Did he dazzle you with his extensive knowledge of mineral water? Or was it his in-depth analysis of, uh, uh, Marky Mark that finally reeled you in?" - Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke), Reality Bites, 1994
 Reply to SomeJoe7777
SkinnyK   09-03-2008 at 01:27:01 AM
- 0 +

Ok, I did what you said and the program does see the external drive, I will attach a screen shot so you can see what I mean clearly. It describes the external drive as an unallocated partition.

http://i38.tinypic.com/30idj6c.jpg

Reply to SkinnyK
Anonymous   09-03-2008 at 01:44:07 AM
- 0 +

Try EasyRecovery Professional. If your running vista you'll need to run it in compatability mode.

Reply to Anonymous
SomeJoe7777   09-03-2008 at 02:28:49 AM
- 0 +

You need to click to highlight the Unallocated Partition and then click the "Quickscan" button in the toolbar. This should show the deleted partition.

If it shows it, then it's ready to recover it as soon as you buy the program and enter the activation code.

------------------------------ - SomeJoe7777

"Did he dazzle you with his extensive knowledge of mineral water? Or was it his in-depth analysis of, uh, uh, Marky Mark that finally reeled you in?" - Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke), Reality Bites, 1994
 Reply to SomeJoe7777
SkinnyK   09-03-2008 at 02:57:58 AM
- 0 +

I really appreciate all your efforts, thank you so much I now have my data back! :bounce: Thank you!

Reply to SkinnyK
SomeJoe7777   09-03-2008 at 04:46:07 AM
- 0 +

Awesome. Now back it up. :) :D

------------------------------ - SomeJoe7777

"Did he dazzle you with his extensive knowledge of mineral water? Or was it his in-depth analysis of, uh, uh, Marky Mark that finally reeled you in?" - Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke), Reality Bites, 1994
 Reply to SomeJoe7777
duke_nukem_   08-19-2009 at 03:05:17 PM
- 0 +

You seem to know a lot about this. I did a superscan of my primary disk (my extern harddrive contains of this and an extended partition, which i've recovered). Now it shows 14 partitions and I cant recover a single one, I get the message: It overlaps with other partitions. I cant delete anyone of these either... Help?

Reply to duke_nukem_
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