Can we recover data from formatted hard drive?

[shuomaru]

I have the 40GB Lap Top Hard Drive (Toshiba MK-4019 GAXB) that was corrupted and all partitions disappeared. Look like that it was resulted from the installation of Win XP Service Pack 2 since I swapped another known to be in good order hard drive and all partitions disappeared. I have no other way but format the hard drive and reinstall Win XP Service Pack 1.

Somebody recommended that I should try to recover the data after reinstallation the O/S. I have formatted and only install new OS but not other programs. Is there anyway that I can try to recover the datas? If there is, which method or program that is efficient in doing so? I used to download some recovery programs but most of them could not recover the large files or cost too much to purchase. I just need the simple program that can do the job.

Thanks

[DoctorReno]

In the old 9x OS's there was a DOS command to unformat that would recover and restore the format. I'm sorry but I do not now if there is a way to do it in NT. Have you tried Googling to see if there is a utility to unformat NT?

[DoctorReno]

Here is a google link that "might" offer some help.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...format&spell=1

[elroy]

I'm not sure what you have done so far but if you have reformatted the original drive and re-installed Windows you have virtually no chance of recovering anything but little bits and pieces of files.
On the other hand if you haven't done anything to the original drive you may be able to recover the partition tables. I have had the same thing happen and never had much luck recovering files. I tried several recovery programs. But your mileage may vary.
My current position on this subject is the following:
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