Restoring Deleted Files

[Mulsiphix]

In a botched attempt to empty the recycle bin via the command line, a massive amount of files and folders form the Windows directory were deleted. I get BSOD when trying Safe or Normal boot.

I used Macrium Reflect to create a rescue disk, used YUMI to put it on a USB stick, added the portable version of Puran to it, and am now trying to see if I can undelete the damage done.

To make sure I got it all I ran a deep/full/lost-files scan and the resulting list of files scares me. Nothing is dated. I have no idea what was deleted when or what I should attempt to restore. There are numerous Windows directories which include files I either don't recognize or recognize to be very old (unlikely to be recently deleted).

How should I decide what to undelete?

 

[computergeekguy]

Um If i understand you correctly you deleted windows files? If so it might be best to do a repair install. Do you have a windows 7 install disk?

A repair install should not make you lose any of your data/personal files.

Here is a tutorial from brink.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Hope this helps

 

[Mulsiphix]

The page you linked to states:

"You can only do a repair install from within Windows 7".
You cannot do a repair install at boot or in Safe Mode.

I am unable to boot into Windows. Any attempt to boot the OS results in a BSOD. So am I correct in deducing a Repair Installation is not a possibility for me in my current situation?

 

[computergeekguy]

I apologize you are correct a repair install wont work in this situation.

I am looking for other solutions.

Here is one http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

This uses the w7 install disk to fix your computer.

People have said that you need to run this program up to 3 times in some cases.

If that doesn't work i will keep looking.

Do you have a windows 7 install disk?

 

[Mulsiphix]

Do you have a windows 7 install disk?

No worries =). I certainly do have a Win 7 install disc! I will give that a look first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you for showing it to me!

 

[computergeekguy]

No problem Sorry my first suggestion was a Fail on my part.

If for some reason that does not work there are other things we can try.

Wishing you luck on getting your computer to boot!

 

[Mulsiphix]

Here is one http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

I just gave this a quick look over. This is the very first thing I tried. The first time it told me to reboot but Windows didn't start. So I started it up again and this time it told me that it would not be able to fix my system automatically. I didn't give me any options or advice or refer me to any sort of microsoft article.

This is why I was left believing that an undelete program was probably my one and only chance. Unfortunately Puran isn't working for me (not operating). So now I'm trying to find a program that will run in the limited Macrium Reflect Windows PE Rescue Environment.

 

[computergeekguy]

That is an idea to try and use a bootable undelete program.

I don't know how to use windows PE but I did get this website.

http://www.***********/data-recovery/other-recovery-software/undelete-boot-cd.htm

It says it is "EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition" so maybe they are affiliated with Windows PE?

It has instructions on how to set it up on the website with a cd or flash drive.

I have never tried the bootable undelete solution so I don't know how to give you good instructions on how to use it lol.

If someone on the seven forums has experiance with any of this feel free to help out.

If worst comes to worst we could back up your stuff with a bootable recovery tool and reinstall windows all together. That is the only SURE way i know of to get the job done at this point.

The instuctions for that method

If these all fail you can copy out your data using your Windows 7 DVD or System Repair Disk using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console, or Paragon rescue disk to recover data.

I am surprised the startup repair didn't work. It is supposed to copy missing files from the disk.

 

[Mulsiphix]

computergeekguy you have single handily saved my bacon! I was unable to get the trial version you linked above to work properly. Apparently when you start it, it is supposed to prompt you about creating a boot image. But this didn't happen for me. After much searching I found a WinPE Boot Image created by this program on the web.

I threw it onto a USB stick with YUMI and did a quick scan. There was a Windows folder there which I backed up to another drive. Then I ran a Ubuntu Live CD and copied the files over onto my Windows drive. I have now successfully gotten into Safe Mode where I ran SFC. This leaves me with a few questions about the state of Windows but I felt that would be best served in a new thread.

Thank you so very much. You have saved my installation!!!

 

[computergeekguy]

Your very welcome. Im glad its starting to work now. If there is anything else you need just let me know and I will do my best to help