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HELP!!!! In-place installation of XP!
I had a Trojan virus on my computer that SpyBot, Xoftspy, and tons of other
virus removers couldn't get rid of. I thought I'd reinstall Windows XP. I didn't back my files up onto a separate computer or disk though. So, when I re-installed XP today, now every personal file/data I ever had on my computer is GONE. GONE!!!! Having a heart attack over here. I discovered that the installation I did this morning REPLACED the installation of XP that I had before and so, it looks like a brand-new computer--no documents, files, music, etc. In the article above, it recommends as a solution to download XP Service Pack 2. Can I ever get back my original installation of XP when I've essentially taped over/installed over it? This is the equivalent of taping over your wedding video (original XP installation with all my files, documents, pictures, music, etc.) with a hockey game (today's installation--empty, new, all personal data files gone). My question is, can I get the wedding video part back? MS customer service didn't have a clue. Not paying $35 if I can get help here for free. |
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#2
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HELP!!!! In-place installation of XP!
Opps, doesn't quite describe it. I won't even mention the value
of backups/images at this point. First thing is Stop using the PC immediately. What you've done is marked all the disk space that contains your data as free space. (Profile). What amount of content you can recover - Depends on how XP reinstalled itself and which areas of disk space it wrote to. You need a data recovery tool. Essentially, it scans the drive & finds folders and files that are disjointed. They still exist but do appear in explorer or other traditional views. The tool will build a list of recoverable data. Some of these tools are free others are not. If this data is critical, locate a local shop or PC technician who can recover data for you. The more you use the PC, the more of the disjointed content will vanish. If you do manage to get out of this situation, seriously consider backing up data or imaging your entire system. Others on the NG can probably advise you on which tool to use. The one I use in my business is not easy to manipulate. If you do the recovery incorrectly - your chances of getting any useful data may be lost. "Accidentally Re-installed Over My XP" soft.com wrote in message ... I had a Trojan virus on my computer that SpyBot, Xoftspy, and tons of other virus removers couldn't get rid of. I thought I'd reinstall Windows XP. I didn't back my files up onto a separate computer or disk though. So, when I re-installed XP today, now every personal file/data I ever had on my computer is GONE. GONE!!!! Having a heart attack over here. I discovered that the installation I did this morning REPLACED the installation of XP that I had before and so, it looks like a brand-new computer--no documents, files, music, etc. In the article above, it recommends as a solution to download XP Service Pack 2. Can I ever get back my original installation of XP when I've essentially taped over/installed over it? This is the equivalent of taping over your wedding video (original XP installation with all my files, documents, pictures, music, etc.) with a hockey game (today's installation--empty, new, all personal data files gone). My question is, can I get the wedding video part back? MS customer service didn't have a clue. Not paying $35 if I can get help here for free. |
#3
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HELP!!!! In-place installation of XP!
R. McCarty wrote:
Opps, doesn't quite describe it. I won't even mention the value of backups/images at this point. First thing is Stop using the PC immediately. What you've done is marked all the disk space that contains your data as free space. (Profile). What amount of content you can recover - Depends on how XP reinstalled itself and which areas of disk space it wrote to. You need a data recovery tool. Essentially, it scans the drive & finds folders and files that are disjointed. They still exist but do appear in explorer or other traditional views. The tool will build a list of recoverable data. Some of these tools are free others are not. If this data is critical, locate a local shop or PC technician who can recover data for you. The more you use the PC, the more of the disjointed content will vanish. If you do manage to get out of this situation, seriously consider backing up data or imaging your entire system. Others on the NG can probably advise you on which tool to use. The one I use in my business is not easy to manipulate. If you do the recovery incorrectly - your chances of getting any useful data may be lost. "Accidentally Re-installed Over My XP" soft.com wrote in message ... I had a Trojan virus on my computer that SpyBot, Xoftspy, and tons of other virus removers couldn't get rid of. I thought I'd reinstall Windows XP. I didn't back my files up onto a separate computer or disk though. So, when I re-installed XP today, now every personal file/data I ever had on my computer is GONE. GONE!!!! Having a heart attack over here. I discovered that the installation I did this morning REPLACED the installation of XP that I had before and so, it looks like a brand-new computer--no documents, files, music, etc. In the article above, it recommends as a solution to download XP Service Pack 2. Can I ever get back my original installation of XP when I've essentially taped over/installed over it? This is the equivalent of taping over your wedding video (original XP installation with all my files, documents, pictures, music, etc.) with a hockey game (today's installation--empty, new, all personal data files gone). My question is, can I get the wedding video part back? MS customer service didn't have a clue. Not paying $35 if I can get help here for free. You chose the wrong type of installation. At this point, Mr. McCarty's advice is the best. Data recovery software like Easy Recovery Pro might be able to get your data back, but it is expensive and time-consuming to use. The alternative is to call a professional data recovery firm like DriveSavers (www.drivesavers.com). Their services are not inexpensive and since you think $35 is a lot, then I doubt you will want to spend the money required with DriveSavers. Only you can decide what your data is worth. An estimate for data recovery by a local computer firm such as mine would be $150-350. Of course, prices will vary depending on where you live. DriveSavers starts at around $500 I believe. Malke -- MS MVP - Windows Shell/User Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" |
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