restore factory settings

[audio_sadhu]

hi
i had to restore my system to factory setting, needless to say i have lost all my files
Is there a way i can get them back?
using freeware/shareware or manually
these are important college notes and expensive vstis
i am very desperate for help
thanks in advance

[tehnogeek]

i don't think there is any such softwares avalable....basically once u delete a file....its hard 2 recover it....acctualyy u hve not specified how u restored 2 factory settings...probably u have a laptop and u did it using the software cd provided by the vendor....and if formats the hard disk in its restoration process ....i m afraid 2 say u can nvr get ur data back.....

[Kiran.dks]

Before doing anything first, try recovering lost files using "PCI INSPECTOR" or "Recover My Files".

There is no such thing like factory settings by default. You should have a third party tool "PC Recovery" installed. This is usually shipped with branded lappy's.

However you can recover all your corrupted system files by scanning for corrupted system files.
To do this:
Start "Run"
Type "sfc /scannow" (without quotes)
Press "Enter"
Windows will scan for corrupted system files and prompts for Windows CD if corrupted files are found.
After replacement of system files, restart the system.

[alsiladka]

First of all, Do not Move, Copy & Paste or Even surf the net much right now.
One thing we can hope for is that the files are still there on your Hard disk.

Download and Install Undelete Plus

Search for the files on your hard disk and hope you can recover them.

[s18000rpm]

For Future OS Re-Installs

if you're having HP pavilion Laptop, then you dont need to run FULL RECOVERY thing.

just goto HP PC Recovery app. (frm start menu) & run Standard Recovery, it'll RE-Install only Windows XP, without affecting any files on the HDD. including C: Drive.

for clean Install, format C: Drive (using non- OEM XP CD) & run the Standard Recovery