Absolute Crisis -- 3 years of photos Gone. (Please, please...someone help me)

Why? Why did I do this? Why did my brother delete them without checking? God damn it why? I seriously don't know what I will do with myself. I honestly don't... I really honestly dont.

Stop with the panicking and get your butt down to your nearest professional with the machine...
Just do a quick search of data recovery services in your area.

PixelMagic wrote in post #12574337
I know this very well; you aren't telling me anything I'm not aware of.

However, instead of over-emoting and handringing the OP can take simply steps to recover as much as possible. I suggested one approach at least 10 minutes ago which he hasn't even acknowledged.

I did acknowledge it.

I'm sorry if I'm emotional.... 3 years of my life could be gone forever.

I KNOW that I made a mistake. I KNOW that it was stupid. I know. If i could turn back time I would. I'd give absolutely everything I owned in this world to get them back. When I say that I do mean it. I would give everything I owned to get them back. Literally all.

Photography is my inspiration and my source of happiness. Without it...I am nothing.

What system are you on ? PC or MAC ? What filesystem is used ? There are plenty of software to recover deleted files, some better then others. Google will get you plenty of software to try out. It was a long time since i used them so i have no real idea of the current ones, especially not for windows boxes since i use mac's only these days

If you want professionals to do it, a simple google search will most likely get you a company in your country. Their service can cost A LOT of money. But since it's not a hardware failure the cost might be reasonable.


BTW i hoped you slapped you brother silly for not confirming the files where backed up, but more importantly give your self a couple of **** slaps as well since you had no backup. This will teach you a valuable lesson though.

PixelMagic wrote in post #12574337
I know this very well; you aren't telling me anything I'm not aware of.

Your post indicated you didn't so you have to forgive me for pointing out the obvious...

No you didn't. I pointed you to a website with software I've used successfully in the past to recover files; even after a hard drive had been reformatted and new software installed.

Maybe its just me; but the more emotional you become the less sympathy I feel. You really need to get a grip.

SimplyShane wrote in post #12574352
I did acknowledge it.

I'm sorry if I'm emotional.... 3 years of my life could be gone forever.

I KNOW that I made a mistake. I KNOW that it was stupid. I know. If i could turn back time I would. I'd give absolutely everything I owned in this world to get them back. When I say that I do mean it. I would give everything I owned to get them back. Literally all.

Photography is my inspiration and my source of happiness. Without it...I am nothing.

MR do little wrote in post #12574353
What system are you on ? PC or MAC ? What filesystem is used ? There are plenty of software to recover deleted files, some better then others. Google will get you plenty of software to try out. It was a long time since i used them so i have no real idea of the current ones, especially not for windows boxes since i use mac's only these days

If you want professionals to do it, a simple google search will most likely get you a company in your country. Their service can cost A LOT of money. But since it's not a hardware failure the cost might be reasonable.


BTW i hoped you slapped you brother silly for not confirming the files where backed up, but more importantly give your self a couple of **** slaps as well since you had no backup. This will teach you a valuable lesson though.

If I can't recover these photos I'm selling all of my gear. I couldn't take that kind of pain. I would have to walk away. Completely.

I'm researching professionals in my area. Cost is not an issue. If its in the thousands I'm going to pay it.

Unless the sectors where the photos were stored were all overwritten, he can still recover some or all of his photos. I've done this countless times for myself and others so I know its possible.

MR do little wrote in post #12574355
Your post indicated you didn't so you have to forgive me for pointing out the obvious...

PixelMagic wrote in post #12574356
No you didn't. I pointed you to a website with software I've used successfully in the past to recover files; even after a hard drive had been reformatted and new software installed.

Maybe its just me; but the more emotional you become the less sympathy I feel. You really need to get a grip.

I'll look back at your post. I'm sorry that I'm distraught. I just need to vent...

My mind is racing and I can hardly think. I'm sorry..I dont want to make you angry.

PixelMagic wrote in post #12574360
Unless the sectors where the photos were stored were all overwritten, he can still recover some or all of his photos. I've done this countless times for myself and others so I know its possible.

You need to read my reply again in the light of your first post. Especially the 100% with intact file structure part..

SimplyShane wrote in post #12574359
I'm researching professionals in my area. Cost is not an issue. If its in the thousands I'm going to pay it.

Then just send it in and let them do it professionally, problem pretty much solved.

I'm not about to get into a pissing contest with you over something that's inconsequential. Considering I've been building my own computers since 1982 I think I know more that a little.

Good luck to the OP; this wasn't how I intended to start my Saturday morning.

MR do little wrote in post #12574371
You need to read my reply again in the light of your first post. Especially the 100% with intact file structure part..

pwm2 wrote in post #12574336
Best is to use a professional data recovery service.

Some photos will be permanently lost since new software was installed.

Some photos should be possible to save, but it requires that no (!) more disk writes are done to that disk, since very single change may corrupt more data.

Yes, there are lots of data recovery tools out there. But even if they are good, they should be used by someone who have the skills. Alas, I have to assume that you do not, since you
1) created this thread.
2) didn't have multiple backup copies at different geographical locations.
3) didn't use user access settings to keep your things behind lock.

It really is <u>paramount</u> that data are not stored on a single disk or even at a single location. It will result in small or large losses. It's just a question of when. And the "when" is normally when it will hurt the most.

Professional help will cost. But you really have to go that route. Just downloading and/or installing a data recovery tool will destroy information on the disk. So download must be done on another computer and the recovery must then be done by either booting from a USB memory or CD, or connecting the disk (strongly recommended read-only) to another computer.

I am searching for a professional.

It seems my brother downloaded tons of things. I could scream and cry all at the same time. I know this sounds immature and childish and I'm sorry you guys have to read this but its 6:50 in the morning and I need this. I need to type this out.

I've found one business....

http://www.datarecover​yiowa.com/

All of the others seem to be spam. I'm still looking however.

The solution has been said already.
first of all, calm down.
Second,
If your images were stored on the computer you are using right now and were on the same physical disk with your Operating system, shut down the computer and use another until recovery! you are making more damage!

If you were saving on a different Hard drive , disconnect the Hard drive until you know what to do.

Hope I am clear.