Quick NTFS format trying to recover

[bluewave]

I recently formatted my 80 gig drive on my laptop with a quick NTFS format and then reinstalled MS Windows XP Home. I'm trying to recover all .pst files and .dat files that were on the drive before the reformat.

I had saved my mail .pst file but was unable to use it after reformatting the drive.

My problem is I'v done 3 searches and was unable to find the file. My system crashed/frooze during a full format recovery. I'm doing one again right now but, it's over 22 hours and not even half way done. The last one only took 23 and 1/2 hrs. Did I damage the files when the system frooze?

Also was wonering if there is a way to find out date or some indication of which file is which since there all named in order .pst?

Thank you in advance for any and all help

bluewave

[GDH]

Hi,

Sorry for the dealy in responding to your message.

PST files can easily become corrupt. Look for a program on your PC called SCANPST.EXE (it is installed with windows) take a copy of the PST file, and see if you can repair it.

You can also try going to http://www.recover-my-email.com and trying this program to see if you can get messages out of the PST. If you are an RMF customer, first try RME and look at the results and if it gets your mail back we will provide you with a free activation key.

I am not sure why the new search is taking so long - does your PC have problems - possible bad sectors?

If RMF only find a PST called "Recovered_PST_1" then you cannot tell the date of the file (it has found the file data but the date and time information as stored by windows is no longer available). You need to open it to see what is in it.


Cheers.