Summary: Formatting a hard disk erases everything on it. Depending on how the hard disk was formatted, it might be possible to recover data. Or not.
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By definition, the act of formatting a hard disk erases everything on the disk, so the knee jerk reaction is of course to say no.
However, sometimes you can get lucky. Stop using the drive immediately, to increase your chances of luck.
But first we have to review the basics.
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You mentioned that you forgot to backup a crucial folder. The first lesson you should walk away from the experience with is simple: backup. And I don't just mean because you were about to reformat; I mean regular, periodic backups.
Let's face it: if your hard drive had died you also would have lost those crucial folders.
Hard drives do die, and regular backups can save your assets.
Second, in preparation for reformatting, you obviously did a backup where you pick and choose what files to copy off. As you've discovered, you can miss things. When performing a one-off backup for any reason, I once again recommend using a backup or imaging program to backup everything. Even if you never need 95% of it, that time when you need something in the 5% will make this step well worth it.
Now, as I said, a reformat by definition erases your hard disk. All of it, at once.
As it turns out, there are two common types of format: "normal" and "quick".
A "Quick" format simply erases the hard disk's root directory, twiddles a couple of other things, and you're done. Note that it did not actually go out and overwrite files.
A "normal" format actually goes out and overwrites all of the data on the disk. You'll know you're performing a normal format as it takes a long time.
If you've done a quick format, then there may be hope. You'll need to investigate "unformat" utilities or file recovery software. Normal "undelete" utilities will probably not work, as they often assume that you've simply deleted a file. Here you've deleted everything. A utility like GetDataBack might be called for. (There are others as well. This isn't something I've done a lot of, so perhaps readers will chime in with some utilities that have worked for them.) These utilities actually scan your entire hard drive and try to piece back together that which was erased. If not a lot has changed or otherwise been damaged, you can often get a lot of your data back.
This is why I say "stop using the drive". The more you use it, the more the contents of the drive changes, and the less likely it will be that your data can be recovered.
You'll notice I've focussed on "Quick" Format, and that's on purpose. It happens to be what most people do, which is fortunate, since data recovery from a complete format gets much trickier. In fact, in order to recover data from a true, data-overwriting normal format, you're typically talking data recovery services and a lot of money.
Related:
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Ask Leo! - Why can't I undelete these files?
Article C3426 - June 25, 2008
to get d ata back form evena hard drive format-- youcan not do any better then Recover My Files data recovery software will easily recover deleted files emptied from the Windows Recycle Bin, or lost due to the format or corruption of a hard drive, virus or Trojan infection, unexpected system shutdown or software failure.
Posted by: dirtfarmer at July 1, 2008 10:13 PMYou might look into and do a free trial of BinaryBiz Virtual Lab software. I formatted a 500 gig WD external drive to NTFS. There was conciderable data on the drive which had been FAT32 formatted. The customer decided they needed data recovered. I recovered over 35,000 files. It is slow--12 hours to scan, but the lost is now found.
Posted by: Richard Hatton at July 2, 2008 6:37 AMSpeaking of backup, how do you back up data when copy and paste doesn't work?
Posted by: Snail at July 5, 2008 5:02 PMThe only method I find working on this system is saving as an attachment to an e-mail. If there was a way to save a copy of ~18GB of data to a reliable source (private and not likely to crash) I would like to know.
In the event that I don't find one...or I have to reinstall the OS(XP Home) how would I (best)pursue a path to data recovery?
If the system is unable to boot, how would I recover data?
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My recommendation is a backup program like Acronis TrueImage
(or others) and an external hard drive. That way the
external drive can be taken to another machine should it
ever be needed.
Leo
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Posted by: Leo at July 6, 2008 11:44 AMT6Q0SzjYI5EJFYKwLbA6Tes=
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From the summary: "Formatting a hard disk erases everything on it"
There are many utilities for recovering data from drives that have been formatted.
Personally, I have been very successful in recovering data from formatted drives. As Leo writes, there are variables. I wouldn't be cavalier about formatting, but it's not that big a deal to recover data. It's pretty damned hard to really erase a disc.
See crazyone's list here, scroll down:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Misc/Q_20650284.html
Some of these utilities can be daunting at first - testdisk for one. However, with a little effort, the reward is great.
Posted by: machiner at July 8, 2008 10:35 PMNice posting. Yes, we can recover the data after formatting or accidental deletion of data. This can happen with the help of stellar phoenix data recovery software. This software works on advance algorithm, scan your hard drive and recover deleted data.
Thanks
Posted by: martin at August 1, 2008 3:04 AMonce question, I accidently click quick format and then completed I clicked ok. I lost all my crucial folders, thousand of my travel videos and photos. may i know what software can I buy it for recover? like any brand of photo and video recovery doctor software or any suggestion??
please be kindly to reply me asap. thank you very much
I start by trying Recuva. Good luck!
18-Mar-2009
hi,great!! thanks for sharing this usefull information.
Posted by: JULIA ROBERT at May 4, 2009 6:19 PMi already recover my data from deleted partition in my hard drive use getdataback.
i just follow tutorial at http://TutorialRecoverDeletedData.notlong.com
i only can recover 80% data from my hard drive..
and my important data cannot be recover..someone can suggest to me free powerfull software for recover my important data..thanks
hi leo, I accidently click quick format to my external freecom 500GBhard drive, and my second 500Gb Freecom hard drive had died in non reason. I have went to computer centre, they cannot repair and they tried to backup but it is nothing at all. they ask me check online for the computer specialist. so could you pls be kindly to tell me which company is reputable for repair any died hard drive, and can be able to unformat hard drive? PLEASE HELP ME :
Posted by: Josie at July 4, 2009 10:05 AMI tried some recovery softwares but they just recovered only jpeg,doc,html files but i want video files and mp3 files....
Can any of the software recovers avi, mpeg4, wmv and mp3 files???
Please i need your help.
09-Sep-2009
Posted by: Adheep at September 8, 2009 7:37 AM