Data recovery after format?

[manishdk]

hi,
I recently formated my pc but now I want some files from my hard drive since i don't have its backup & the files are important.
Can you guys suggest me any software so that I can get my file back?
Please tell me some free software's please.

[Joshua]

If you want to maximize whatever chances you have at recovering data after hard drive or partition format, STOP using the HD altogether. The more you use it the greater the lesser chance you have at recovering anything whatever it may be.

[Russell]

If the data was overwritten by the install of XP SP2... you can't get it back. Ever. At all. Period. Full stop.

If it WASN'T overwritten, you can get it back 100% with any of a dozen programs, although my personal favorite at the moment is called "Restorer 2000".
Read the home page on Restorer2000 Data Recovery Software.

First of all, IMMEDIATELY stop using the drive. Writing more data to it will only make the situation worse.

But despite persistent conspiracy theories about the capabilities of government agencies, there exists no technology at this time which is capable of recovering data which has been overwritten even just once.

[Sebastian.j]

Typically, the more space you overwrite with and after the XP installation gives more chance the original data is lost. Same applies to files, more files you write = more data loss. Exactly which part of the data will be lost, is just plain luck. So I suggest you just use a (free) trial version to fin out.

Assuming NTFS, the directory tree should be fairly intact, so you should be able to just walk down the tree to whatever directory you need. Otherwise, right click the folder tree, select "Find Object", then enter a partial name surrounded by "*" marks, case insensitive.

[Mason]

if its a normal format, yes you can recover the data. If you do a low-level format your not going to recover anything. However after your format and install the new OS, some parts might be written over. But, you should be able to recover something.

[Russell]

Try this
http://www.stellarinfo.com/dmr.exe

[PeterAGASSI]

If you are looking for free data recovery and troubleshooting tools, you might download these free bootable cdrom images :

Emergency Boot CD [EBCD]
http://ebcd.pcministry.com/

Ultimate Boot CD [UBCD]
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

[rupesh]

Try Windows Data Recovery Software Tool designed to restore files accidentally deleted from hard disks or other storage media such as Pen drive, Floppy disk, Memory Card, Flash memory, Zip drives, iPods, mobile communicators, memory card etc. Recover Data for Windows is Windows Based Software which runs only on Windows Operating System. Software is compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server, and Windows XP.