Help Can I recover Docs after Format?

[Jasonx82]

Is it possible to recover Microsoft Excel Workbook after a format/reinstall OS?

 

[dariob]

Yes.

http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

Dario

 

[Ice Czar]

I wouldnt let spinrite within 20 feet of one of my boxes
http://grcsucks.com/
http://grcsucks.com/spinrite.htm

I suggest that those with a technical bent visit the SpinRite website and see they can swallow such things as:

* "prevents mass storage systems from crashing" (nothing can do that)
* "sophisticated magnetodynamic physics models" (pseudo science)
* "weakest possible magnetic signals" (not real)
* "we doubt whether anyone but Steve and a handful of aliens would even know what all this is" (no argument there)
* "Weak Bits" (no such thing)
* "gradual evolution of the drive's storage surfaces through physical and magnetic stresses" (mumbo jumbo)
* "SpinRite is actually able to lower the amplification of the drive's internal read-amplifier" (impossible, and after all this time Steve apparently still does not know that data is recorded on magnetic disks with flux reversals, not "amplitude")
* "mass storage systems need periodic preventive maintenance" (nonsense)
* "yeah, we know, Steve's a magician with his code" (how modest)

As for all the "exclusive" SpinRite features, many if not all of them are anything but exclusive; for example, testing disk surfaces with worst-case data patterns goes back many years before Steve ever thought of SpinRite. SpinRite is 80% hype, 10% dangerous, and 10% real substance

to answer the question, yes
unless its been overwritten
a direct sector scan will simply read it off the platter
a format just rewrites the metadata and leaves the rest of the disk alone
(the difference between a quick format and a a long formatt being chkdsk is also run and any bad sectors locked out)
which is why you securely delete by overwritting several patterns of data to a HDD

Id suggest
PC INSPECTOR File Recovery for a freeware shot at it
and to actually add to the toolbox
File Scavenger $40

 

[Synful Serenity]

I'd also recommend the program "Get Data Back", which recovered a co-workers entire lost partition of files without a hitch.

 

[spectrum]

Ice does that post have a permanent home in your clipboard?

On Topic, I have had marginal success with PC Inspector and as of yet not had to buy File Scavenger. However, the next time I am posed w/ having to do DR I will probably pick up a copy. Heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[rive22]

im with ice. we had this discussion a while back. go with file scavenger, the newest one they have out of course. i also really like restorer2000 pro. either of the two will work for sure. just make sure you recover it asap, as further writing to your drive could cause a background overwrite of your excel file.

 

[dariob]

Well, sorry about the Spinrite recommendation. I hadn't heard any bad things about it til now. I usually use Tiramisu for these things, but that costs a boat load of money.

 

[dbwillis]

GetDataBack just got all my files off a drive with non system disk error on my work PC.
Compaq./HP tech verified the drive was dead, so the app was worth it for me..