I lost all my data on my hard drive. Can you help me with something?

[in_cog_ni_to]

:cry:I Lost everything. YEARS worth of data. :cry::cry: I just had a new hard drive put in and I need to download a new anti-virus software. I had Norton, but is there something better? Any suggestions? I would appreciate any and all input. Thank you in advance. :hi: I am so bummed. :(

[Nite Owl]

1. AVG

been using it since July. No problems. Far less intrusive and it's free.


(edited for link)
Here's the link:
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Thank you!

:hi:

[redherring]

2. I use AVG free edition

Just google AVG antivirus. It is the best.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Your data might not be lost.

There are businesses that specialize in restoring "lost" data. The process can be expensive, but it might be worth it.

[clydefrand]

4. We have McAfee, but I couldn't tell you if it is better than Norton.

[tkmorris]

5. I prefer AVG

I don't like Norton for a number of reasons, but you already sound like you are switching so no need to go into that.

AVG Free edition is available here. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 The free edition is more than adequate, the paid editions merely offer advanced functionality, not better protection.

[Dirty Hippie]

6. Are you sure you lost it?

Just because a hard drive won't boot doesn't mean you can't still get the data off it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. Well, that's what the computer guy at the computer repair shop said.

I have the hard drive. Do you think I could maybe take it somewhere and see if they can retrieve my data?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Yes, definitely.

You might be able to retrieve it even if it won't boot up by connecting the new computer to the old one with a FireWire cable (that sometimes works on Macs, anyhow), or else take it to a computer restoration specialist. Your stuff is probably still on the drive, and these experts often can get at it.

[pinkpops]

14. You could try changing the jumper on the drive from Master (or

only) drive to slave, boot off the new drive and see if the old drive is visible. If so, you can copy data files. Program files are not so easy and they usually need a proper installation.

[Dirty Hippie]

17. You can install the bad hard drive as a slave drive

and if the operating system recognizes it you will most likely be able to get your data files.

Installing as a slave usually involves changing a jumper on the back of the drive itself and then connecting using the same cable the new drive uses if there is a unused connector or another cable of the same type.

It is a bit hard to describe, and it has been awhile since I messed with computers.

[flowomo]

8. recently saw a big roundup on this in one of the computer mags

and they found that Norton was still the best all around. The freebies all have weaknesses. MacAfee is not bad. I've been using Norton for years and have been happy. Way back when, it used to try to take over your computer eventually, but that has stopped. I also use Zone Alarm for a firewall... and that IS free and pretty good. Just my opinion.

[calmblueocean]

9. AVG Antivirus is free and works for me

Here's the link.

Sorry about your loss, btw. Losing a hard drive can be awful.

[Feron]

11. Kaspersky

It's the best AV I've found. They offer a month-long free trial as well. I used to have Norton ,but I thought it was too much of a resource hog.

BTW next time backup your data.

[karlrschneider]

12. I feel for you. I take care of 30 or 40 computers out here in my communit

and I tell people to back up their stuff but they usually don't. EVERY hard drive is going to fail at some point. Think of it like a light bulb. Do you still have the old drive? You MIGHT be able to connect it up as a slave and get your stuff back. Also try the DU Computer support forum.

[Rosco T.]

15. Go Here...

http://www.runtime.org/

I use their "GetDataBack" and it has literally raised data from the dead. If the drive will still spin and can be recognized, you may be able to recover your data.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

16. Wait a minute. First, can you boot into Safe Mode?

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. Nope. I tried that before I took it to the shop. n/t

[Crazy Guggenheim]

22. Let me get this clear. Do you have the info on the old drive?

[in_cog_ni_to]

25. No. I have the old hard drive that the shop took out.

They said they could not retrieve the data for me because the hard drive was completely fried. That's what the guy said. They put in a new hard drive and gave me the old one. I have a laptop, btw.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

26. PM me. I think I can get you around it.

[The Revolution]

18. What happened to it?

Was it some kind of virus, or a physical problem? There are ways to get data back off a drive, even if it is damaged. I lost my HD at work once (wouldn't boot, clicking noise), and they were able to copy the contents to another HD. I'm not sure how they did it, since I didn't watch them though. Otherwise there are companies that do data retrievel, but it is VERY expensive (I looked into it once and all the places I could find wanted several hundred dollars per hour).

I've actually lost about 4 or 5 HD from my home PC over just the last few years (same problem too -- that horrible clicking noise! :)) So now I don't take any chances. I've got a 2 160 GB HD in a RAID 1 array, so they are mirror images of each other. Plus I back up my really important files onto a DVD occasionally. I've also thought about copying that DVD whenever I make it, and storing that in a safe place somewhere, but haven't actually done that yet.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. I have NO CLUE what happened. I was on DU

and tried posting, my computer froze and that was all she wrote!:shrug: Beats the hell outta me. After that, it just wouldn't boot up. :( Gone.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

24. When did this happen? Last night?

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. Tuesday night. n/t

[PghTiny]

19. DriveSavers might be able to recover your data

Price is around $200, no matter the outcome. Link at www.drivesavers.com

[BigBearJohn]

20. You know, there are places that can recover lost data for you

My boss thought he lost his data and got it recovered.

[FreedomAngel82]

27. I'm sorry that happened

:( I know how it feels. I've had that happen to me a few times and it really sucks and pisses you off. I don't have any recommendations though. Sorry. My dad once brought home a virus program but I don't remember what it was called.

[file83]

29. BACK UP. BACK UP. BACK UP. on to DVD's baby.

I've got like 2 dozen DVD's of various backups of different kinds of data on my computer. Just get into a monthly habbit of going overboard with backing up your data. It's cheap, and you'll never get mad at yourself for backing up too much.

Don't let it happen again :-) You'll thank yourself later.

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. *sigh* I will.

:(

[applegrove]

32. There are things newer than DVDs. Little socket things. That hold

almost all your files on them.

[applegrove]

31. They have these little computer things (looks like a T.V. socket

without the cord) and you plug it into your computer and you can download almost the whole hard drive onto the thing. And keep it. Or transfer all the files onto your new one.

Did you loose the hard drive? Did you keep it? Could you take the old hard drive in and ask them to put it on one of these little things in case you can get some files off of it?

They plug into your USB outlet or something and you can download lots. Use that for backup - I think they cost $50.

[wordout]

33. where can i git one of those 4.7 gig jumpdrives for $50?

i'll take 10! :D

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. LOL

Good luck!

[applegrove]

35. Ask at futureshop. I admit I'm a little foggy on the details.