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Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm still considering my options here.
There are only a few files I really care about, so maybe a data recovery service wouldn't be that expensive.
I'm still waiting for Lou to come along and tell me how Windows sucks. :)
Josh
Sure, Lou will tell us about how much windows sucks, but at least there are people/ programs that can retrieve most of our data... Mac disk fixes are more costly
AND
MACs and APPLE really suck! the users think they are great because the systems cost more but other than graphics rendering i see no advantage to them.
Well, I have Apple stock so take this for what it is worth. Windows uses DLL's which basiclly mean things work great till you start deleting programs. Then, if you do not have a really good undelete for that program, Windows asks you if you really want to delete such and such. If you are really sure and say yes, you find out that other programs are sharing that file and you are screwed.
The ONLY way Windows knows how to fix a problem is to "reinstall windows". Now THAT is a serious operation taking a day or so.
When my Daughter started college I went against the advise of the day and bought her an apple. NEVER touched it . My son, he got Windows, and let me tell you , I was ALWAYS trying to get it to work.
One day my daughter was deleting a program off her apple She grabed it, and took it to the "trash" folder, and that was all.
If you like to play with the computer , get Windows, if you would rather have other types of play, get an apple.
Jerry
Then there is Linux...
But I don't want to open that can of worms...
J.
Guys, you totally rock.
So I made a Linux Live CD as directed by John (Namdas). It booted right up, and I was able to access the files I wanted and pull them onto a USB drive. :y :bow :tu
I was totally prepared to spend $500 to get this stuff back. It's like payday!
SRP is the best resource ever--better than the Internet at large, because you can ask questions of people you at least know a little bit.
So once again, thanks for everything. I'm a happy, happy man.
Josh
another thing you may want to think about for future reference is a prog called GetDataBack
I have used it to recover data from FORMATTED drives in the past.
Incidentally, if you ever sell a computer, flashdisk or whatever on ebay, be sure to erase the disk with a secure eraser. Preferably something government approved.
Do anything less than that and the buyer can retrieve your data from it.
And if you really really really want to keep your data from falling into the wrong hands, the only option is to physically destroy the platters of the disk.
And I don't mean scratching the platters, I mean removing the top layer with a belt sander and then shred what's left, or even better: melt it.
I know this seems far fetched, but I know of a company that works for various 3 letter acronym government agencies. They gave a couple of examples of disks from which they retrieved data.
1 example was a harddisk that was retrieved from the challenger explosion. The disk was bent almost 90 degrees, and the platters were exposed and charred.
They retrieved 95 % of the data on the disk.
Their advice was that the only guaranteed way to keep them from reading your data is to melt the platters.
Anyway, I am glad things works out for you.
It certainly would have sucked to pay all that money.
The files I was concerned about actually belonged to my wife, who was thrilled to get them back. I mentioned that, since I'd just saved at least $500, I thought I deserved to reward myself with a Robert Williams custom.
She didn't go for it. :D She's been wonderfully understanding with my straight razor hobby, but that would be going a bit far.
Josh
You realise there is a down side to sucessfully doing this yourself dont you? :pQuote:
Originally Posted by JoshEarl
Your wife will be telling all her friends (bragging about hubby) how good you are with computers and stuff... I think you can work out what happens next...
This is already happening in another area... I'm getting decent at photography, and my wife has given "gift certificates" for baby photo shoots and such to friends and family. I got a big kick out of it; it's nice to have a wife that appreciates you, especially when the boss doesn't...
Josh