best data+partition recovery software

Question

I accidentally formatted my Drive D that contained all my Backups and Documents. I separated my files to my Drive D hoping I will not harm my files.

Since I use Acronis Recovery to Install a new OS with some pre-installed application to my HDD I didn't realize I also formated/erase my Drive D. Now my drive D is unpartitioned. I am really in really in deep trouble and would need some urgent help, Please recommend a Software that at least can restore my Old Drive that contained my files. I'm assuming most of you think this is a duplicate of some old questions here, But I'm not looking for data recovery, I need to recover the whole partition with the files.

I used to use "Recuva" but It only recovers files not the whole folders with the files in it.

Please advice.

Thank You!

Answer 1

First thing I always advocate for this kind of problem is have a copy of Hiren's Boot CD to hand. Everything you ever need is on that CD for PC diagnostics and repair.

http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

Answer 2

First thing I recommend you do is research.

The more you understand about a problem & the more you understand how a recovery software works, the better your chances for success.

My biggest fear would be, what if I attempt xyz & mess things up worse then they are already. That's not an easy one to answer.

Certainly you want to use a software that is non-invasive.

Best would be to image the drive onto a new drive. That way you'll have something to fall back on.

I lost data in the past - don't recall the circumstances, it's been a long time (4 years or so), & don't recall the difference between the programs I used, other then to say there are differences. There are "unformatters" & "unerasers" & combinations of the two. The way a program looks at the disk, what it considers a "file" or a "directory". The recovery methods offered (there may be multiple in a single program). File "names" returned can vary depending on program & method used. Name could be random, or could be correct, or could be correct except for first character. All depends.

Testdisk did not work well for me.

GetDataBack & R-Studio did. Seem to recall that there were extensive FAQ on their sites.

If this works for you, it would be stellar. It would be what I would try first. It's free too.

"Partition Find & Mount" http://findandmount.com/

I gave it a shot, but it was not able to help in my situation.

"GetDataBack" http://www.runtime.org/

"R-Tools Technology" http://www.r-tt.com/

Answer 3

Don’t get panic when you lost your data. Few days back I have also face the similar situation. To recover my lost partitioned data, I have searched on Google and find software Stellar Phoenix Window data recovery which helps me to recover my files. You can try this software may be it will help you out to recover your lost data. You can download the free demo version of software