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I was reinstalling Windows XP on my computer, and was at the screen to select the partition to install to. Normally my USB drive is unplugged when i reinstall Windows.. to avoid confusion. I left it plugged in by accident, and told Windows Install to delete the partition, and didnt discover what i had done until i had created the new partition for Windows. I stopped the install, unplugged the drive, and proceeded to install Windows on my internal drive. I have been told that the data is still there. Microsoft's Knowledge Base articles say to use Dskprobe to recover the NTFS backup boot sector of the old partition and copy it over the boot sector in the new partition, and this would make my files readable. However, Dskprobe (included on the XP cd) is not very noob-friendly, and i do not know how to locate the sector(s) i need.
I listen to Leo Laporte (from techTV) and his Podcasts, and he recommends SpinRite, by GRC. I would rather not pay $100 for the program if at all possible. Is there a free/less expensive way to get my data back? There are about 1500 pictures and other important data that i can't lose.

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry, but I would have to agree with Leo. for the type of recovery you are describing, Spinrite has proved to be invaluable to many, many people. If it's any help, the purchase price HERE is only $89. It's up to you to decide whether the information is worth that. Like they always say...you get what you pay for

I thankfully never needed to use it but i know Spinrite has a very good reputation.

But what is the other app you used? Maybe it is also a trusted brand so to say , and if you have to buy one then i would get the one that have shown it can find the data.

Or maybe these are usefull , the first are free:


http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...d,22917,00.asp
http://www.winplanet.com/file/28237.htm
http://www.r-undelete.com/
http://www.partition-recovery.com/

The software that found the files is called "Stellar Phoenix Fat&NTFS".. at www.stellarinfo.com ... i had never heard of them before, only through my Google search. If the free links above dont work i will buy this program, because it DID find ALL of my data from that drive. Thanks to all for the help!

I never heard of them aswell , doesn't look bad though. Id say its worth the gamble if free apps dont work.

Keep us updated.

i am going to buy the working version of the Phoenix program, as soon as my refund from SpinRite hits my bank account (i HATE being on a tight budget. the budget of a 17 year old working 20 hrs a week at McDonalds.)