Windows 7: Recovering data from a 'RAW' hd

Evening team,

I was repartitioning a 3 NTFS partitioned 1,5tb drive down to one partition via win 7 Disk Management tool. I successfully shrank one of the partitions. After shrinking the second partition, win 7 had a hiccup and reported the remaining single partition is now in a 'RAW' format. I still have data on the drive that i would like to recover prior to reformatting it.

Apparently, on reading up about "RAW' files, the data is still there. What i would like to do is to somehow view the data and extract portions of it at a time to other smaller hds. From what i has read i can only extract everything to another 1.5tb drive, which i just don,t have available. If i can find a solution, i will eventually reformat and reuse my 1.5tb drive.

So my question is:



How can i extract portions of data from a "raw" drive to a second smaller drive?

Thanks for looking

You could try Recuva (free) file recovery.

Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download

If that doesn't work there are also other paid programs that may work.
There may be other free programs, I'm not sure.

I used "Active@ UNDELETE", and it worked very well for me.
They have a free TRIAL program, so you can see what can be restored and restore very small files.
It does cost for the version that can restore all files.

UNDELETE Files - Active@ UNDELETE Software recovers deleted files, folders & partitions

hope this helps
david

Hello David,
This information helps tremendously. I will be able to initiate testing at the weekend.I will most probably end up buying active@undelete, since i absolutely have to recover my bootleg zappa,floyd, zeppelin roio's. One additional point I would like to add is that i will be testing by slotting my 1.5tb drive into an external usb sata dock. Did you recover via this method? i am prepared to slot the 1.5tb hd inside my pc, but only as a last resort. Thanks for your speedy reply.

All the best.

You might also want to consider using Easeus Data Recovery, I've used it and can recommend it.

File and data recovery software to unformat, undelete files. Recover deleted files and recover formatted disk or corrupt drives - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

I did this a long time ago, so my memory of the details, well...
I'm sure i did NOT use a USB connected drive.
I now use a tray system so I can pop SATA HD's in and out.
If i didn't have the trays back then, I'm sure i opened the case and hardwired the drive.
Not to say USB will not work, i just don't know.
Try it - if the program can see the drive/data hopefully it will work...(but MUCH slower)
What i do remember is the process took me a long time - learning, scanning, recovering...

seavixen32 did suggest EASUES and it looks like they have a free version, so you may want to check that out.

time/cost/value is a personal decision...

Easeus Data Recovery is fantastic and I second the recommendation.

Yes, Easeus Data Recovery did the job successfully. It actually took a couple of days to complete a 1.5tb drive full of data, but it was worth it.

Thanks to every one

Glad to hear - and thanks for letting us know the result.