Recover Data Files, Unerase Files

You can do it with Linux (like Redhat linux) by booting from the Linux CD and using rescue mode. At the linux prompt you have to type linux rescue, before Linux boots up (it will show an initial prompt). Once Linux starts in rescue, it will try to mount your hard disk. If you have not used linux earlier, and as your disk has crashed, it should not detect any disk and you can choose ok when it displays a dialog box about this error.

Next, you will get a linux prompt (#). Here you can type commands. Press the enter key on your keyboard a couple of times without typing anything else – the screen should look like this:

#
#
#

From here onwards, you will require the use of commands like fdisk, dd, fsck etc. to locate and extract data. Even if the partition or hard disk is corrupted (possibly MBR), linux will be able to do a low level read and recovery, as long as you have a second hard disk (of same or larger size) to store the recovered data. And don’t worry if your Windows D drive is a different type of file system – Linux will only read the low level info so you can use the second hard disk to which your data has been copied through windows to get back almost everything on your disk.

This is one of the best ways; unfortunately it requires you to know advanced Linux commands. The second option is to use software like Seagate Diskwizard, Ontrack etc. They are easier but again if you have no knowledge of hard disks, file system, partitions etc. don’t mess with them. You’ll loose everything, even if the data is recoverable.

In case your hard disk has a physical failure – electronics, bus or magnetic platter etc. even Linux won’t be able to recover your data. However, that is very very rare… and for future, backup all your important data.

Good luck,
Andrew