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

someone lock this thread... we need to get the OP to stop hanging out in here and deal with his issue - any additional time and posts in here is wasted time...

Beating said brother may help with the healing process.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #12574453
someone lock this thread... we need to get the OP to stop hanging out in here and deal with his issue - any additional time and posts in here is wasted time...

All I can hope is that it isn't the same computer that is used for visiting POTN or for googling for data recovery companies. Caching data in the temp directories are just as bad as downloading or installing software.

That disk should be kept powered off until handed over to a professional. As long as the machine is running, there may be indexing services and other background tasks that performs writes to the disk. And every single write can kill one more photo.

I've used these folks before ... OnTrack Data Recovery ... It was about $1,500. Stop using the computer, don't worry. You'll get your data back from these experts.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I routinely backup to several hard drives and my laptop has two hard drives, one for storage and one for system. At least if I accidentally delete something I have enough copies that it only takes a few seconds of fright before I realize I'm covered.


The simple facts are these: One...you just learned the hard way that backups are extremely important. Two...never under any circumstance let anybody use your system but you. I don't even let my wife and kid use my systems. Never, not gonna happen.


Simply put, in my roughly 25 years of working with computers I've learned that for the most part people know what they know and that's it. People are dumb as a box of rocks with a hammer thrown in, they haven't got a clue what they're doing on computers, even the ones who think they do. Heck, even people with college degrees in computer-related fields are idiots sometimes. I would never trust anybody to use my systems.


Stop reading posts, stop posting, turn off the computer and take it to someone. The more you type, the more you read, you are losing more and more data. Deleting data is no big deal, it can be recovered. But only if you don't add more information to the disk. Every new piece of information added, whether it's a program, a picture, an internet temp file, etc., will overwrite your data, and that's when it becomes unrecoverable.

Of course, if you listen to my advice it means you're still reading posts, and are losing more data as you read this.

http://www.drivesavers​datarecovery.com/

Nero RescueAgent saved my A$$ from a bad virus a while ago...works quite well...the virus erased a sector of my HD where my PC looked at my drive as it was empty but the data was still there...keep in mind that it will also find items that have been deleated previously...just restore the whole thing to another drive that has the space..and you will get your data back...

If you have Windows, have you looked at the Recycle Bin to see if they are still there? If so, you should be able to restore from there.

NG8JGFX wrote in post #12575068
[...] and you will get your data back...

I take "get your data back" as meaning "get all your data back". That is very improbable, if the computer have been used and new software installed after the pictures were erased.

Data recovery can get back some information. But they can't perform magic. It's best to avoid promises that can't be guaranteed.

Chrizz wrote in post #12574441
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.

^^^ This.

wow... all those reading this now... if you don't have a backup system in place...spend some time and money and do it TODAY.

pwm2 wrote in post #12575157
I take "get your data back" as meaning "get all your data back". That is very improbable, if the computer have been used and new software installed after the pictures were erased.

Data recovery can get back some information. But they can't perform magic. It's best to avoid promises that can't be guaranteed.

Thats true. If the new install wrote over the sectors the data was stored within then it is perhaps gone.

I'm posting this from another computer..

I've called the number listed above... "DriveSavers."
Soon, I will speak to a represenative... but I honestly feel sick.

I know I'm a moron for this. But this hurts so much... Even the thought of all my photos being gone makes me weak and depressed.

SimplyShane wrote in post #12575983
I'm posting this from another computer..

I've called the number listed above... "DriveSavers."
Soon, I will speak to a represenative... but I honestly feel sick.

I know I'm a moron for this. But this hurts so much... Even the thought of all my photos being gone makes me weak and depressed.

It's time to get a grip and put everything in perspective.

Whatever happens with your photos, three years is nothing. And it was three years of photos - not three years of your life. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison - 9 times as long time. Would he see his life as over for the loss of 3 years of photos?

While it isn't possible to recreate what was, you still have all your knowledge. And the equipment. While you wait for the outcome of the of this debacle: Grab your camera and go out and shoot.

And from this day, do what have been recomended a number of times in many threads on this site:
- format your memory cards in the cameras.
- shoot to multiple memory cards to limit loss from card failure.
- verify that you can read them back.
- document subjects and other information you want to live with the pictures.
- duplicate the data as soon as you can.
- keep duplicates at multiple locations.
- validate your storage strategies regularly.
- regularly refresh to newer technologies or media to avoid problem with age.

Worrying about spild milk has never helped anyone. It's what you do with your future that tells what kind of person you are. Are you someone who do what you threatened - selling your camera gear - or are you someone who always see what can be learned by things that happens, and go on with the life some knowledge richer? Are you someone who complain or someone who fight?

I now have a prepaid shipping label being sent out to me. DriveSavers seems like an extremely reliable place and I thank the person who led me to them. They don't charge for an initial inspection, so that also helps.