Data Recovery after format an OS reload

[Go-To Gordon]

Got one here today where the guy as he put it "got ****** off this morning and did a restore". He had no idea he would loose everything! Ran an image with r-studio and getdataback. After scanning the image both find the files but I'd say 85-90% of them are corrupt. He won't spring for professional recovery so it sounds like I'm out of options. Will try PhotoRec and anything else others can recommend. 5 years of data gone with no backup. I've had good luck with both software's in the same situation but not this time.

 

[JustInTech]

On a side note, I am guessing you now do this, but we always make a complete acronis image of any computer we format, without exception. It is guaranteed that clients will forget to tell you about data in odd spots or human error will occur(we make a mistake). It is such a safety net to have a complete image to go back to if needed. Besides files, it gives you a chance to go back to a bootable system if needed.

+1 and I always do (well obviously not always as I didn't this time ) just got caught out today as re-installed a computer that's on a domain copied every thing off the desktop (I thought) as everything else stored on the server re-installed and bugger..... apparently the user was storing their personal photos on their desktop.

Trying to recover now using R-Studio and DMDE, luckily it states in the computer use policy that documents on the desktop are not backed up and no important files should be stored there.

 

[JustInTech]

Just recovered the photo's using R-Studio luckily I already have licenses

 

[Go-To Gordon]

After my post last night I scanned the images & recovered again with r-studio and getdataback. getdataback seemed to have less corrupt files though there are still a ton that don't work. I'd say it got over 50% of the pics in working order. not as good of luck with the documents unfortunately.

 

[DataMedics]

Add another +1 for R-Studio. That's what most guys who do pro data recovery are using for NTFS & FAT filesystems. Though GetDataBack isn't bad either.

I do recommend that you clone first before messing around too much with recovery software, unless you're using a write block. You'd be surprised how often mistakes happen in data recovery that compromise the original data.

If you can't find what your client is looking for and need pro support, don't hesitate to PM me.

 

[Go-To Gordon]

I cloned the drive and then made images using both software. Both found everything I need but majority of the documents were corrupted. Like I said I did seem to have better luck with gdb though it very well could be user error on my part with r-studio. He won't spring for the pros. He was happy to get back anything honestly. At his blessing I hung onto the clone to see if I can do anything else.

 

[lcoughey]

I cloned the drive and then made images using both software. Both found everything I need but majority of the documents were corrupted. Like I said I did seem to have better luck with gdb though it very well could be user error on my part with r-studio. He won't spring for the pros. He was happy to get back anything honestly. At his blessing I hung onto the clone to see if I can do anything else.

I'm curious to know how much time you put into the recovery, how much you charged and how much you told him it would cost with "the pros".

 

[Go-To Gordon]

From the prices I've seen here (yours and others) I told him starting around $250-$300. He was not willing.

I told him if I could get everything $125-$150. He was not willing to spend even $150 even though it was 5 years worth of documents and pics (work and personal). We settled on $125 if I got it all or a majority of it. I ended up charging him $85 ($35 more than my diagnostic fee). He wanted it back asap so I had it for about 24 hours total.

Again he wasn't willing to pay more and was happy that he got anything. I still have the clone to try a few more things with.

I have had good luck with the above software before and am upfront about my data discovery ability's. Yes I'm still learning the software but if people aren't willing to spend more than I charge and the drive spins I'll give it a shot.

Turns out a bunch of windows updates got installed after he restored so more writing to the disc.

 

[lcoughey]

From the prices I've seen here (yours and others) I told him starting around $250-$300. He was not willing.

I told him if I could get everything $125-$150. He was not willing to spend even $150 even though it was 5 years worth of documents and pics (work and personal). We settled on $125 if I got it all or a majority of it. I ended up charging him $85 ($35 more than my diagnostic fee). He wanted it back asap so I had it for about 24 hours total.

Again he wasn't willing to pay more and was happy that he got anything. I still have the clone to try a few more things with.

I have had good luck with the above software before and am upfront about my data discovery ability's. Yes I'm still learning the software but if people aren't willing to spend more than I charge and the drive spins I'll give it a shot.

Turns out a bunch of windows updates got installed after he restored so more writing to the disc.

I don't think I'd be happy having a client rush me to work for about $3/hour. But, good for you for getting the $85...I sure hope that you were able to bill for other jobs so that you could actually make some money that day.

 

[Go-To Gordon]

I didn't say I worked on it for a full 24 hours! I had it in my possession that long. Hours of the "work" were waiting on dd to clone and the software to scan.

edit: yes I didn't make enough but it's better than just the diagnostic.