Recover Data Files, Unerase Files

So, I formatted my external hard drive and I need the data back. Any suggestions on how to recover ALL or most of my data? I haven’t written anything on top of the data yet. Are there any tools or programs out there that might help me (ideally freeware)?

I inserted and ran a disk. I believe it’s a restore system disk and I don’t see my files anywhere. When I go to pictures all I have are sample pictures.

I recently purchased the new NB205 netbook with Windows XP preinstalled. Looking for something fresh, my goal was to dual boot XP and OSX hackintosh. I shrunk the XP partition using gparted, and then repaired the install using the built in hidden recovery partition.

At this point everything was working fine. I had 3 partitions: Windows XP, Toshiba Recovery, and unallocated free space that I planned to install OSX on.

Not having an external DVD drive, I began the OSX installation process using an 8GB flash drive. During the installation I chose to format my free space with Mac OS Extended (Journaled). The sequence hung and got stuck at the “creating partition map” step for an extended period of time. I aborted the operation, exited the utility, and shut down.

When I rebooted my computer, I was greeted with a black screen with white text and was unable to boot into any OS. It appears that all the data on my hard drive has been erased because I am unable to access anything including the Toshiba Recovery Partition. =’(

How can I make my computer usable again? Is there any way to recover my data and restore my hard drive to an earlier date? Will I be able to use the Toshiba Recovery partition again? Is there some sort of recovery program available that can be booted from a USB flash drive?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I need help because every time i do the system restore I can’t continue because it says “OS (C:) (system)” and it’s status say ready to restore and then when i press “next” a prompt shows up saying “Windows has detected a file corruption on OS (C:). You must check the disk for errors.” After that, it gives me a link read as “check disk for errors” i click and then a ANOTHER prompt shows up telling me disk options such as “automatically fix file system errors” (which is already checked for you) and another option “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” I checked both options and then clicked “start” and then the prompts close and nothing happens after that, Now i don’t know if it’s because of safe mode but it’s confusing me and i don’t know…please tell me what’s wrong with it…
((I’m 14 years old so please explain this in the simplest way you can.))
EDIT: I have a Windows vome basic premium…..i think it’s vista

A corrupt file in my computer is stopping me from logging on (PC, Vista)

I tried to run Start-up repair, but there were no results – the report just stated: “1 root cause” – nothing was fixed

I attempted to run System Restore (picking a restore point before the file corruption), but it didn’t work – the corrupted file is preventing it…

And i have no idea how to find this file and delete it.

I have however backed-up all my files, so is there another way to go about doing a System Restore or is a System Recovery my only option?

Thanks in advance
Okay, i was finally able to log in, in safe mode. I went to the drive, into properties and tried to do a error check – but nothing happened. After i clicked it, no new screens came up, nothing at all…

Even the disk check under system restore comes up with nothing – just like the start-up repair
I decided that a System Recovery was the best way to go, since I’d kind of run out of options.

I needed to get my computer working again, as soon as possible – this seemed the best way.

Gonna take some time to get things back to the way they were, but oh well…

Thanks to everyone for your help

I transferred all my data files to an external HDD because I am preparing to reformat my notebook computer. Unfortunately the external HDD malfunctioned and I could not access my files. I was able to recover some files and folders through WinXP System Restore but it could not recover files that were deleted more than 90 days ago.I have tried some software but they could only recover individual files.I want to recover the files in their original folders so I do not have to sort and categorize all those files all over again.Your valuable suggestions would be most appreciated.

im trying to back up my data onto a disc because i am having problems with my computer(keeps shutting off on me.tech support told me to do a system restore)
when i try to back it up i get a error message saying “disc c has errors.windows has detected file system corruption on disc c. you must check disc for errors before you can continue” theirs a check disc for errors link that i click and it and it runs the scan then the window dissapears. i try to go on but it gives me the same error message again. ive set it so it doesa scan everytime i start my computer.ive restarted it and the same thing happens. anybody have an idea on what i should do?

I’m using Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit edition.The system file that was corrupted on my hp laptop is the Windows File System Transaction log.I am thinking of doing a system restore because I’m a having a trouble with installing windows updates due to the corruption of my Windows File system transaction log.Typing fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\ on coammand prompt did not work so I hope that doing a system restore will address my problem.I’m also having a little or maybe big problem with not being able to open my Disk Defragmenter window.Please help me!

I know how to restore my computer thats easy, but everytime i try it says
“Windows has detected file system corruption on HP (C:). You must check the disk for errors before it can be restored.”

I don’t know what im suppose to be checking, and how to get rid of whatever is going on.

I need some help :I

When I try to do a system restore, it says “windows has detected file system corruption on os (C:). You must check the disk for errors before it can be restored.” I click “check disk for errors” and it says “Windows can’t check the disk while it’s in use.” So I schedule a disk check for the next time I restart the computer. But, when I restart there is no change… How can I fix this?

I am planning to do a system restore on my Vista laptop hoping that it will fix my Windows Update problem caused by the corruption of my Windows File system transaction log.And probably also my Disk Defragmenter window which refuses to appear when I click it.

I had to format my hard drive and my back up disc doesnt work. I really need my files from my hard drive. Is there a way to find them and restore them? Im looking for free software that I can perhaps download. Thanks

My friend performed a system restore on her computer & a lot of her important files were lost. She tried a program called “UNDELETE” by Paretologic & it found the lost files, but then wanted her to pay $65 for her to actually restore the lost files. It didn’t say anything about having to pay until that point. I’m hoping there might be some out there that are truly free & if so, which ones?