can a reformated computer be restored?

[summer]

I have a dell with windows XP and I would like to know ( even if I have to purchase a program) can I restore lost information if my computer has been reformated? Someone else did this and I lost valuable information. HELP!!!

[Broni]

Someone posted some success with PC Inspector File Recovery: http://www.pcinspector.de/Sites/file_recovery/info.htm?language=1
This is what I've read.

[summer]

 I don't think this is what I am looking for..this sounds like a "spy" program that you put on your computer. I need something to recover all my old lost stuff when my computer was re-formated...is this possible? Is there a program out there that does this even if I have to purchase it?

[b2051758]

I have restored files that have been deleted from my pc before using many different programs. This has only been possible when the area on the hard disk had not been written to. The data was still there but marked as free space.
So it is possible to recover lost files but I'm not sure after reformatting. If where your files are located has not been modified in any way after reformatting  then it maybe possible.
Maybe if it was a quick reformat or something. Again I'm not sure what happens exactly to a hard disk and the data on it after a format. You would have to find that out.

[Broni]

this sounds like a "spy" program that you put on your computer

This is pretty offending, I must admit.
Do this site look to you like offering spy programs to anyone?

[GX44]

Again I'm not sure what happens exactly to a hard disk and the data on it after a format. You would have to find that out.

As far as I'm aware, when a hard drive is formatted the index is told that the space is free but the actual data is still there, in a way. It is only when the sector is overwritten with new data that the old data is actually lost.

Could be wrong but this is my understanding of it.

[drmsucks]

 I don't think this is what I am looking for..this sounds like a "spy" program that you put on your computer. I need something to recover all my old lost stuff when my computer was re-formated...is this possible? Is there a program out there that does this even if I have to purchase it?

Did you go to the link provided to pcinspector.de?

It sounds to me exactly like what you said that you are looking for. What makes you think that it is "...a "spy" program that you put on your computer?"

What has been the status of the drive after it was formatted? Are you using this drive? Was the drive formatted then written to, e.g., was an operating system installed onto the drive?

[hiloed]

No Mr. Broni it does not look like a "spy" program in  any way to me, I don't blame you for feeling offended. Although paranoia seems rampant  on the web now days due to malware, adware, hacking etc. etc. Please keep up your good work and all you do for the rest of us despite snotty remarks by a few.

Aloha Nui,

Hiloed

[Broni]

Thank you, hiloed

[hiloed]

Not at all Mr. Broni, Thank you and all the other folks here on Computer Hope who have spent literally hours and even days helping others with few thanks and no compensation. We all owe you a great deal, you folks are truly awesome.

Ed

Maybe I shouldn't be so  reactionary but got a lot off my chest and will sleep well tonight. Hope you all do the same.

[Broni]

Getting ready...