Free Linux Data Recovery
Recover my Windows XP with all my important files?
I was trying to fix the MBR on my Windows XP desktop using the recovery DVD that came with the PC, but apparently, it doesn’t have the Windows Recovery Console.
So basically what happened was that I accidentally began a fresh install of XP, because Norton Ghost came up and was going to do a fresh reinstall of XP with the factory settings. However, when I saw what it was doing, I immediately turned off the computer so I wouldn’t lose my important data.
Norton Ghost didn’t run more than 1-2 seconds, but now when I boot into linux using my usb drive, it says my hard drive is empty, but there’s no way all of my data could have been erased in 1 second! Is there a way to recover Windows and all of my files? (for free)
If the Safe mode / system restore doesn’t work, you could try the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows. This will allow you to boot to a version of Windows that runs entirely from a CD and Ram Disk. You need a copy of your Windows Installation CD to create this disk as they cannot give out free copies of Windows for obvious reasons. The site has instructions to create the CD.
You can see for sure if your files are in tact. There are many system and file recovery utilities.
It has some utilities to work your CD burner so you can save your important files to disk.
If you can recover your files, do a reinstall of Windows, try doing an upgrade first if possible. If all else fails, do s fresh install.