system restore

[cool dude]

if there was a system restore done on the computer and the computer returns to the state it was when bought is there any way to go back. because all the important files/documents were lost. would it be impossible to go back or do u think that a computer expert can potentially recover the lost files?

[Dan]

It is possiable to recover some of the deleted files but the more you use the computer the fewer files can be recovered.

The way a normal format works is that it just deletes or wipes out the index file on the harddrive so all the files are still there you just do not know where or what format they are in.

Then as you add new files they are writen on top of the old ones or parts of the ones making it harder and harder to recover them.

How ever a election micrsope and other tools can be used to get data back that was over writen just a few or one times.

If you whont to recvoer thos files your self there is some software aviable for free on the net, tho you have to be runing the hard drive as a seondary one and not the one you are runing the OS on.

If you whont to desotry thos files for good there is also software out there that will over wright all the hdd not being used with random data over and over intill it can not longer be recovered.

Unless thos files are worth alot to you paying some one to recover the files whould not be worth as they tend to charge alot of money. And rember the more you use that computer the fewer files you will ever get back and that you should remove the hdd from the computer as soon as posiable.

[cool dude]

do u know of any software that can help me restore it?

[codemage]

Sigh...

That's why Sys-Restore tells you in bright red letters to back up any important documents created since your last restore point.

[cool dude]

codemage wrote:

Sigh...

That's why Sys-Restore tells you in bright red letters to back up any important documents created since your last restore point.

thanks for sticking that in my face. i've done system restore many times on my computer, but my sisters computer is screwed up and somehow deleted all the files and went back to manufacturing settings.

anyways wat kind of software can help you recover your data?

[codemage]

No problem. Hindsight is 20/20. If anyone else needs some unrequited criticism, I'm your guy.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I've heard that Diskeeper undelete is pretty much the best. (I think there is a trial version). Norton has an undelete utility that's pretty good too, but you have to get the entire tool suite in order to use it. I don't really like Norton products, but if that's your thing, go for it.

There's also a freeware program I've heard of that likely has a much smaller footprint.
http://officerecovery.com/freeundelete/

Best of luck. Undeletions are often sketchy at best.