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The age of the files and floppy disk are only incidental concerns here. The data, if it still exists, is recoverable.

Is the Disk Unformatted?

Since the disk has files stored to it, it has already been formatted. An unformatted disk does not have the capacity to store any data.

Why is the Message that the Disk is Unformatted Appearing?

Unformatted files cannot hold any files. Therefore, the prompt is probably inaccurate and another reason exists for the inability to open the file. Two primary reasons exist behind an “unformatted disk” message that is not actually accurate. When a disk bites the dust and is no longer viable for saving files to, it will prompt the same message as an unformatted disk. Additionally, if the disk drive is bad, it cannot recognize the floppy disk and it will prompt the same message.

Is the Data Recoverable?

Fortunately, you can use a data recovery program to retrieve the files from the floppy disk. Only those files that were not overwritten will be recovered. Therefore, you should obtain a data recovery program to retrieve the files.

How Do Data Recovery Programs Work?

Data recovery programs scan the media for files and retrieve them. Depending on the size of the drive, floppy, or whatever that is being scanned, the entire process can take as little as a few moments to a much longer period of time. With a floppy disk, the entire process will most likely take only a few, short moments.

Using a Data Recovery Program

The easiest way to retrieve data from a floppy disk that cannot be read by the computer is to use data recovery software. One of the most reliable applications that I have had the opportunity to try personally is ParetoLogic Data Recovery Pro. You can check out its features and capability at the following link: Data Recovery. This application offers a free scan to determine whether or not any data is recoverable. Plus, it is capable of retrieving many different types of files including documents, graphics, photos, and more.

I’m assuming that you’ve already cleaned out the “Deleted Items” folder or Recycle Bin that is in your email program. When you click “delete” on an email in your inbox, it will go to this folder until you manually empty it out. I’m embarrassed to say that I have to go in there all the time to recover things that I was too quick to delete. Good thing that most email programs have this “holding pen” so that you are absolutely sure you want to get rid of it.

If you have already emptied out the deleted items file, then you have a few options that you can try. All of this advice applies to emails that have been downloaded onto your computer. Emails that have been deleted on Web-based servers such as Yahoo or Hotmail have an extra layer added to them that makes them almost impossible to recover.

Disk Recovery Software

The best solution is to use disk recovery software that you can download as freeware. It will recover both files you recently deleted as well as those that were deleted a long time ago in case you discover down the road that needed files have been deleted. Disk recovery software can recover files and save them to any disk that is visible to the operating system. The program looks a lot like Windows Explorer and is easy for even a non-techie to use. You can find it on the DiskInternals website here: http://www.diskinternals.com/ . Scroll down until you find the program that works with your system.

Another good program to try is the Data Recovery Wizard. It has similar properties and can recover data from almost any device.

Data Recovery Pro is also exceptional at recovering deleted emails. A free scanner is available so that you can see if the e-mail is indeed a good candidate for recovery before purchasing the full version.

Recover from Outlook

There is another way to try to recover deleted emails in Outlook, but it is a process that is not for the faint of heart as you will intentionally corrupt the files and then use Outlook Inbox Repair Tool to recover the deleted emails from the corrupt folder. The entire process is detailed on this blog.

If you try recovery software and still can’t find your email, you can try talking to support to find out how to find it on your specific operating system. Find them here: www.filetonic.com/support.

The Good and Bad News about Data Recovery

Yes, you can recover much of your data after the hard drive has been reformatted and written over with a new operating system. That’s good news for many and bad news for others. First the good news: if you’ve had to resort to reformatting your hard drive, you may be able to recover most of your data files with data recovery software. The bad news: if you reformatted your hard drive in order to remove your data before selling or donating your old PC, someone else can recover your data files using data recovery software.

Data Recovery Basics

Most of us have been taught that reformatting a hard drive completely wipes out everything on it, including our data files. This isn’t exactly what happens. Reformatting doesn’t create a blank disc, it simply empties out the master index tables so that the operating system thinks it is empty. It’s kind of like tearing out the table of contents to a book. The table of contents is no longer there - but unless the pages of the book are also removed, then they’re still there. In the case of a hard drive, you can use data recovery software to get past the indexes and directly to the data.

Data Recovery Options

Not too long ago, data recovery was left to computer forensics experts such as crime labs and computer technicians. Today, many computer repair shops and remote technical support sites will recover data for a fee. In addition, inexpensive do-it-yourself data recovery software is also available.

Data Recovery Gotchas

While it is possible to recover data, not all data is recoverable. When a file is deleted or a disk reformatted, Windows marks the hard drive space as “free space.” If no new data comes along and occupies that space on the hard drive, then the data should be recoverable. However, if the file has been overwritten with new data, then you’re out of luck. This includes reformatting. After reformatting a hard drive, most people immediate reinstall their operating system and most used program files. In addition, they download updates and so on. As more data is written to the hard drive, it is overwriting “free space” and this “free space” may have the data that you needed.

Give it a Try

The Filetonic Tech Jocks use and recommend ParetoLogic’s Data Recovery and Data Recovery Pro tools. You can try a free download of either product and perform a data recovery scan. This free scan will show you exactly what files are recoverable on your computer. Should you find that you’d have recoverable files, you will need to purchase a license to do so which is in the $40 to $50 range depending on the product you choose. You can download the Data Recovery scan to floppy or CD so that you don’t accidentally overwrite data on your recently formatted hard drive.

Now that You Know

Now that you know how easy it is to retrieve data, when the time comes to dispose of your computer or hard drive, don’t settle for reformatting it. Instead, use a tool that completely wipes the drive clean or physically destroy the hard disk so that identity thieves cannot recovery your financial data.

My only hesitation with this problem is if the email in question did indeed get transferred over to this new computer. If you deleted it on one computer, there is no guarantee that you will be able to find it on the new one, even if all of your other files were transferred. I’m going to continue answering as if the email has been deleted off the files that you have in your computer right now.

Linux

Linus is an operating system where the kernel source code is freely available to everyone. Besides the fact that it is free, the adaptability and functionality have made it the main alternative to Microsoft and Unix operating systems. The use of Linux in both home and office applications is on the rise. I don’t know why you transferred from Microsoft to Linux, but you are not alone.

Disk Recovery Software

Your best bet to recover an accidentally deleted email is to use a disk recovery download. Many of these are free to use or are reasonably priced. One of the most popular programs for those using Linux is the recovery Linux Reader from DiskInternals. This software can recover data that has been erased or damaged that is stored on Ext2/Ext3 partitions. It will recover both files you recently deleted as well as those that were deleted a long time ago - that is a bonus for your problem. It will recover files and save them to any disk that is visible to the operating system. The interface looks a lot like Explorer and is easy for even the novice to use. It is freeware. You can find it on the DiskInternals website here: http://www.diskinternals.com/ . Scroll down until you find the program that works with Linux.

Another good program to try is the Data Recovery Wizard. You can find it here:

http://techblissonline.com/recover-deleted-files-or-folders-on-your-windows-vistaxp-or-linux-with-data-recovery-wizard-professional-v436/ . It has similar properties and can recover data from almost any device.

If you try recovery software and still can’t find your email, you can try talking to support to find out how to find it on your specific operating system. Find them here: www.filetonic.com/support .

 The Blue Screen of Death

Anyone who has seen their computer cough up the “blue screen of death” and begin a memory dump won’t forget it. The BSD is an error screen in Windows (also called the ‘stop error’). It occurs when there is a malfunction in a device driver, hardware, bugs in the operating system kernel, faulty memory, power supply problems and overheating among other causes. When your computer encounters the BSD, it will manually restart the computer and you may lose data that is not saved to the hard drive. Keep in mind that all of these suggestions only work when there is no physical damage to the hard drive - one that is smoking, whirring, clacking or making other unusual noises shouldn’t be handled in house. Send it to a data recovery service so that the professionals can save whatever is left.

Copy Files Using Windows File Explorer

Since you do have a new hard drive in your computer, you can try using Windows File Explorer to copy files from your old hard drive to the new one. It is a freeware application that can be found here: http://www.download3k.com/System-Utilities/Other-Utilities/Download-Windows-File-Explorer.html . Depending on what kind of error caused the BSD, this may be the easiest method for recovery, and you can just drag and drop your files onto the new hard drive.

NTFS

NTFS is the NT File Storage where there is a backup copy of the Master File Table (MFT). This lists the names and locations of files in the partition. Data recovery software will try to restore a copy of the MFT so that it can access files in the partitions.

Data Recovery Software

Most people recover their data using specially designed data recovery software. We recommend Paretologic’s Data Recovery software. Two versions are available: standard and professional. You can even download a free scanning tool to see if data is actually recoverable on your hard drive before you buy.

Backing Up Data

The best way to avoid this drama is to back up your files regularly and keep them somewhere other than on your computer. You can back up to a USB stick, a CD or the newest way to backup your files is on an Internet website. There are many of these around, but one of the best is BeinSync. Carbonite is also popular. The thumb is that the more important your files, the more often you should back up. If valuable files change daily, then you should at least back up those files on a daily basis. That way, the files are easy to get to and your data is safe. BeinSync features “hot backups” where you can have your important files backed up within moments of creating or saving.

Data Recovery is Possible

The world learned a great deal after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. Among the lessons learned is the fact that data can be recovered from water damaged hard drives. That’s good news for you. However, it’s not going to be easy as your external drive is no longer accessible.

Double Check the Connection

Did the cable also get wet? Make sure that the cable is completely dry. Since your hard drive is showing up in BIOS, let’s also see if we can’t get it to show up in My Computer. Go to Windows Explorer and find Folder Options (Tools> Folder Options or Organize> Folder and Search Options). Click the View tab. Make sure that “Show drive letters” is checked. Most likely, double checking the connections won’t do a darned thing but doing so won’t hurt either. Most likely, your external drive is “recognized” because the USB port is recognized. This doesn’t mean that it is functional.

Check Disk Management

Let’s see if the drive shows up in Disk Management. Click the Start button, right click My Computer, and choose Manage. If it shows up there as “unallocated” the drive may be working but with a damaged file allocation table in which case a software data recovery tool may work.

Get Professional Help

A flooded hard drive isn’t an easy data recovery and almost always involves physical damage. In this case, data recovery software probably isn’t going to help and may do more harm than good. Instead, you’ll need a professional to help you. For example, when a hard drive gets wet, it’s not unusual for the heads to become stuck on the platters. When the disk spins up, imagine the scratching and scraping that occurs as the platter rips away from the heads.

To Dry or Not to Dry

Ironically, drying out the flooded hard drive is not recommended. If your hard drive is still wet, place it in a sealed container such as a plastic zippered bag. When the water dries out, contaminants are left behind, oftentimes making the data completely irretrievable.

Professional Data Recovery Labs

Professional data recovery labs are expensive but depending on what’s involved may be your only option. Below, you’ll find several choices:

• DiskLabs (UK, New Zealand, Netherlands)
• CBL Tech (US and International data recovery)
• DTI Data (United States)

Recommendations

DTI Data offers a free phone consultation which may be a wise choice. You’ll be better able to determine if your drive is physically damaged and needs professional help by speaking with an expert. They have a “no recovery, no charge” policy and will be able to give you a price quote should you need to send the drive in.