My mother is going to kill me...

[Trevorgxp]

Linus Tech Tips Forum....you are my only hope!   I re-installed windows (reformatted hard drive) on my mother's computer.  As I was showing her how much faster the system was (it was pretty bad before) she started asking where her open office files were.  Things went south from there.  I thought I made it clear that the drive was going to be completely wiped before I took the computer but apparently there was a miscommunication and now she needs important office document files involving death certificates, estate issues, documents sent to lawyers involving wills, etc.  Suffice it to say she is not happy.  Looking back I realize I should have scanned the computer for these type of docs before I formatted even if I thought she wouldn't need them but I wasn't thinking and I messed up.

 

I tried downloading (and paying $50) for ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro but I was only able to salvage a single .pdf file intact.  There are about 7 more important files that I need but only one that is especially important; I was able to get them all using the data recovery software but they are all corrupt. 

 

Does anybody know how to fix a corrupt file?  More specifically I'm dealing with corrupt .ods and .pdf files.  The most important file is a corrupt .ods.  

 

Trevor 

 

PS I hope at least that my mistake will serve as a reminder to anyone reinstalling windows/reformatting a drive for friends, family, or in a business capacity to always double check for and pull office docs even if you don't think you'll need them.  It only takes a few minutes and can save you hours and hours of stress, hard earned $$, and the love and affection of your mother.

[SSOB]

It's gone forever , I'm sorry to hear this .

[Ilumic]

your erm in trouble  

[FireFox]

To be honest mate, you should have backed up the files, should be common sense since a reformat does wipe everything.

[Ryan Leech]

I don't think you are going to get anymore than that single pdf

[DoubleY]

It's not your fault, it's your mothers. She should have LISTENED to what you had to say. 

[Scottonpc]

Should of backed up the files on an external HDD...

[Altecice]

well if I was going to be totally horrible I would say that most of the data has been overwritten by now and you don't have a chance (as illustrated by your attempts and corrupt partially rewritten files).... depending on how much these files are worth you might have to send it away to professionals to get file recovery done to it and that can lead into the $1000's.

 

I really don't understand it sometimes i had a few customers in my old job, i would explain to them until blue in the face that if we format it you will loose ALL files and they understand, give them there laptop/pc back and then they moan about pictures >.>.... 

[SSOB]

I have recovered hundreds of gigabytes of files before after formatting and repartitioning a harddrive.

Can you tell us how then?

[SSOB]

DiskInternals Partition Recovery was what I used.

Well , the OP could use that then.

[MegaDave91]

It's not your fault, it's your mothers. She should have LISTENED to what you had to say. 

 He should have asked her if she wanted to keep anything before he re-installed the OS. Maybe she didn't know any better.

[xXxYOLOxSWAGxXx_420BlazeIt]

Tell her she should have done regular backups.

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

Well OP's question was "how to fix the corrupt files", which no one has answered yet lol. I can't really help you out with that because I don't have much experience with recovery or similar stuff, but I'm sure there is someone here on the forum or on another forum that can help you out, maybe some googling will turn up useful information. Good luck my friend

[joelthezombie15]

 He should have asked her if she wanted to keep anything before he re-installed the OS. Maybe she didn't know any better.

he could have explained that to her though. Either way though it doesnt matter whos fault it was, its done now, you can try the programs and what not ut otherwise you are screwed. Just explain to her that it was not on purpose and you had a lapse in judgment and that you are deeply sorry and it will blow over in a day or two. 

[AndyCapets]

Why does nobody ever backup they're files when they reinstal Windows, or even just create a D drive...

[91Chris]

I had great success recovering files after an accidental format using Stellar Phoenix data recovery (on Mac but I believe there's a Windows version). 

[Advent]

You cannot fix the corrupted files, they are corrupt. You might be able to do it with a lot of hex editing, but that isn't practical.

Did you do a quick or long format before installing the OS?

Also try using Disk Internals tools to recover the data. Select NFTS and FAT files and do an exhaustive search.

[saudivip]

sorry i don't know a thing about this ... 

and you guys need to stop talking about what happened talk about what he can do if i were him and saw these answers i might kill my mother and suicide (over react) 

[Advent]

sorry i don't know a thing about this ... 

and you guys need to stop talking about what happened talk about what he can do if i were him and saw these answers i might kill my mother and suicide (over react) 

Oh yeah, like your comment is any better.....

[StareX]

Sorry, but there is not way to uncover a formated drive. a Formated drive cannot be recovered.. only good specialists who knows who they are doing can unlock the files, but the files are over-written.. so, even if you recovered the files, they would look like this:

De%@, GWERHBGQ

egwegWEF

#@%R@GB^YJ%

FQWE@!@E?!????

g$@WYGH#W%$RHGB$RGW$RG????

Like this.. So.... Or worst: Hey, I Bm ns#WF g$%#33 @@ sc$$$$@l

[MegaDave91]

sorry i don't know a thing about this ... 

and you guys need to stop talking about what happened talk about what he can do if i were him and saw these answers i might kill my mother and suicide (over react) 

The fact that that even entered your mind is disgusting.

[saudivip]

seriously you guys took it real ? anyway ... 

[Trevorgxp]

Thanks everyone for your posts - I can try a few suggestions but it looks like I may have to just accept that the files are gone.  Luckily I'm an only child so my mother cant be mad at me forever!

 

Thanks again it's appreciated~

[mc141]

U screwed time to move and change u name

[1funnygame]

go hide out in mexico