Oh no!!!

[Technical Ben]

I have just done a backup and saved my files on the HDD. I saw I had some spare space on my backup partition, so I decided to shrink it to use the left overs for my other files. As the disk order would be different, Windows said this would have to be a dynamic disk. I did not like the look of it, so I decided to delete the new partition. Little did I realise, it deleted the entire dynamic disk, instead of just the little bit of the extension I added (I should have used shrink or combine etc).

So now I am searching around for an "undo" option, or partition manager to get my files back. They are not totally unreplaceable, but it would solve a lot of problems.

[edit] Anyone know if Arconis Partition manager will allow me to undelete it on the trial version? I'd happily buy it in a few months time, but £30 to get my files back today is quite pricey.

[Steve]

Anything on the Linux Live/Rescue CDs I wonder

[Rik]

Sorry, Ben, I'm not sure what it would do for you. It might be worth checking over on Wilders.

[Technical Ben]

Ok. Thanks. Aparently it is possible. But all the software to rebuild the partition (I've just deleted the drive, not the files) only work in Windows XP or Vista. Whether free or paid for. 

[Simon]

Would it be possible to load the drive as a slave and recover the files that way?  Sorry if that's a stupid suggestion.

[Steve]

Anything on the Linux Live/Rescue CDs I wonder

Partimage may do the job its available on many of the live cd's http://www.partimage.org/Main_Page

[Technical Ben]

Well, my linux distro was on that drive. 
I've found one of the free managers (like the linux version) that works in windows 7 so installing now. Might be slightly quicker than burning a distro...

[Technical Ben]

Hmmm. Minitool Partition Recovery can see the partition, so it's still there, files and all. However it does nothing when I select "finish". Might try some compatibility options or something. 

[D-Dan]

If you can remember the exact partition layout (including the boundaries) you could recreate it without formatting provided you haven't written anything to the disk since. That may have a chance of recovering it all, but you need to be byte accurate.

Steve

[Technical Ben]

I can barely remember how to spell my middle name. :/ Trying Testdisk now. Which seems similar, but from a command prompt.

[edit]
Oh, don't need to remember. As it's findable, so I can copy down the numbers. So I just need to rebuild the dynamic disk from that. Have no idea how to do it though. 

[D-Dan]

Your middle name is similar to "Testdisk"? Your parents really had a sense of humour, didn't they

Steve

[Technical Ben]

No. I meant those as two different sentences. Using Testdisk. And I cannot remember anything.
Oh well. Lesson learnt. LEAVE the PARTITIONS allow, unless the disk is EMPTY.

[D-Dan]

I've never tried this, so can't vouch for it, but this http://www.z-a-recovery.com/art-partition-recovery.htm looks like it might get the job done.

Steve

[Technical Ben]

Thanks. Test Disk only found the old partitions, before they were dynamic (from last year, which is strange). I did not have the know how in how to do a dynamic search. Trying a scan in ZAR now.  

[Edit] For a job I though would take 30 mins it's going to be hours without a quick fix...

[Steve]

Any use http://www.articlesalley.com/article.detail.php/132999/97/Data-Recovery/Computers-and-Technology/10/Recovering_deleted_FAT_and_NTFS_dynamic_partitions

[Technical Ben]

Thanks Steve. That's exactly what I need to do. I am currently trying a less technical method of "copy deleted files" onto my main drive. It may take time, but it's quick, and it does not change the drive, so totally safe. If it fails I will try rebuilding the dynamic disk as you linked.

[Technical Ben]

Ok. It seems the disaster is averted. All the files seem to be there. However the free demo versions don't offer the file recovery or dynamic disk recovery options. 
So after waiting 2-3 hours for Power Data Recovery* to scan, I am now doing it all over again in ZAR. But at least I know it will work. Then I can copy the files to my first disk, reformat the partition, and swap them back.


*I used it because it was quicker... well, not now I have to do it over again I suppose. 

[Technical Ben]

Zar crashed overnight. But I think I selected the correct partition this time (just did entire disk last time) and it's already set to be done by the time I get back from work.
It's probably taken me longer to figure out how to get the data back, than the actual recovering process. 

[Technical Ben]

Ok. Onto seach number 4? After search 1 crashed, search 2 was in the demo version for Zar (only 4 files recovered in demo ) and search 3 was in TestDisk but I did not know which button saved the partition data.  

Fourth time, and I should remember to press "write" to get it all back and have no data loss.

If it works I might hire myself out for file recovery. If it fails I might go insane and move to the Hebrides.

[Rik]

Hebridean residents might take that the wrong way, Ben.

[drummer]

Recuva is a nifty little tool for recovering lost files, and it's free.  Don't know if it finds lost partitions though.

[Technical Ben]

I just need to rebuild it (as it tell the computer it is there). I could shell out £50 for the software. 
TestDisk said it failed at putting the drive back, so trying again. Wierd, as it saw all the files. 

[Glenn]

Hiren's disc's have a program called HDU regenerator on them, it works well.

[Technical Ben]

Well, massive thanks to everyone. Finally getting the files off and over. Using DiskTest to copy the files, as it failed to rebuild the disk. Once it's done I will just formate it again.
So to recap, for a free tool, use DiskTest. Zar gets my vote for a great set of features on a simple, but detailed recovery program. Partition Wizard Home Edition, is probably the best home user suite I looked at.
I could write a review after the amount of programs I tried. 

[Rik]

It might prove useful to others, Ben. Glad you've got there though.