Recovering Data from an OS Corrupted HDD

[Jordan 646]

This Tutorial is also a sort of my experience(so any basic PC user could relate more with it ) about how i traced and recovered my data from my hard disk drive without the need of any Professional Data Recovery Services !!

This Tutorial stands useful only when your Operating System has corrupted and NOT in the case of mechanical failures of your Hard Drive.

I use a Dell Inspiron 530 PC with 2 Gigs of RAM,160 GB of Seagate Barracuda HDD,Intel Core2Duo Processor @ 2.6 GHz and a Windows 7 Ultimate OS.

One day last month,when i switched on my PC,it was unable to boot showing
"MISSING OPERATING SYSTEM" Error. I rebooted many times but no success.

I had to install a new HDD (Seagate Barracuda 500 GB). As,the PC store owner had suggested to go for a high-cost professional data recovery service.I was extremely sad and finally decided to do research myself.

Luckily, i visited this website :-
http://

(Ultimate Boot CD) which gave me a ray of hope !

This is Actually the Real Saver if your OS got corrupted but your HDD is mechanically fine.
Read the Documentation carefully. Download and Install the Ultimate Boot CD on a CD/DVD or onto a USB Flash Drive, as per your wish.

Now,Boot the computer with your Ultimate Boot CD Media.A Screen appears from which u have to select "Parted Magic" Option.Snapshot Below :-

Parted Magic(Linux Based) is a complete Hard Disk Management Solution for Data Rescue,Disk Partitioning,Disk Cloning,Erasing,etc.

When the Parted Magic Boot Screen Appears(Blue),select the Option "Live With Default Settings-32-bit or 64-bit"(option No.3 in this case). Snapshot Below :-

Sit Back and allow it load completely(a matter of just 2-3 minutes ! ). Desktop of Parted Magic Appears !! See below :-

Now, You can very easily access your data !!
You may also require to transfer your precious data to an External USB Hard Disk Drive.
So, now your Precious Data is safe. Your next could be erasing the entire disk which you can easily do with the help of "Erase Disk" Option present on the desktop.

You are done !! and,now the most important part :-


The Technical Aspects :-

A) Operating System gets corrupted due to :-
1)Virus Attacks from the Internet
2)Full Space occupied on the System(C) Drive
3)Removing USB Media without checking the "Safe To Remove Hardware" Option ( If Your USB Media was in use for Ready Boost)
4)Messed-up System Registry

B) If your Hard Disk Drive sounds normal and you suspect that only operating system got corrupted, the solution mentioned above will be a sure-shot success !!

C) What I learnt from this mistake :-

1) Always use an Original Antivirus
2) Always keep a Backup of your data on an external HDD.It's precious !
3) Hard Disk Drives tend to fail after a period of time(in my case it was 6 years !) so be aware and choose New Solid State Drive(SSD) Technology for your current PC or next rig.
4)Always Use Registry Cleaning Softwares like "RegClean Pro"

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P.S. This Tutorial is presented by me as an honest attempt to help others in recovering their precious data.Although, i have written in a very simple language,i apologize for any errors as i am a basic PC user and what i shared above is based purely on my personal experience.I also request the respected Moderators of this forum to please review it and correct me where ever i am wrong.

Hope it Helps !!

With Respect,

Jordan 646(net name)

Ashraf Ahmed Khan(my real name)
India(Asia).