Can you recover deleted data/files?

[LOLROB]

I been asked to reinstall windows xp onto a computer

because it says corrupted data on the OS and it says it needs to be reinstalled via boot disk

When on windows XP boot disk when it tells you to choose which hard drive to install the OS to if i do not format it will windows xp overrite the data for the OS so all the files and documents all save or do I have to format the hard drive so everything gets deleted to install windows XP

Which one would I have to do to save the data?

If you can put the boot disk in and choose the hard drive with out formatting it will all the files apeer when the windows xp has been reinstalled? or would I have to use a program to find them

If I have to format the hard drive to install the windows XP is there anyway I can recover the files and documents lost?

+REP will be given to any help

Thanks guys!

[Laurensh1]

You should put in the CD and choose recover mode or something? Then it looks for things...

If you format your harddrive it will be lost data.
When I read your topic title, I thought you wanted to get some files you had deleted and your OS still worked. Then you can use Recuva (http://www.piriform.com/recuva).

But better wait till the experts comment on the reinstalling of your OS!

[awelsh]

I reccomend getting DSL(Damn small linux) or Puppy linux, then run either of them as a live CD. Copy the files you need from the PC onto external storage using puppy or dsl and then format the HDD and put xp back on again :)

[Jamesy]

I been asked to reinstall windows xp onto a computer

because it says corrupted data on the OS and it says it needs to be reinstalled via boot disk

When on windows XP boot disk when it tells you to choose which hard drive to install the OS to if i do not format it will windows xp overrite the data for the OS so all the files and documents all save or do I have to format the hard drive so everything gets deleted to install windows XP

Which one would I have to do to save the data?

If you can put the boot disk in and choose the hard drive with out formatting it will all the files apeer when the windows xp has been reinstalled? or would I have to use a program to find them

If I have to format the hard drive to install the windows XP is there anyway I can recover the files and documents lost?

+REP will be given to any help

Thanks guys!

You can format over it and use Recuva (http://www.piriform.com/recuva) to get back the files. When you format the data isn't completely erased - just as long as you don't overwrite its place on the HDD. So a fresh install with just Recuva should be able to get a lot of it back

MattGarner did that when his Porno drive went wrong :8

[Markeh]

I reccomend getting DSL(Damn small linux) or Puppy linux, then run either of them as a live CD. Copy the files you need from the PC onto external storage using puppy or dsl and then format the HDD and put xp back on again :)

Seconded, get DSL on a live CD.

[Recursion]

Kinda thirded, but I would recommend Ubuntu or Knoppix LiveCDs