I screwed up when I "re" installed Windows XP! Can anyone rescued me?

[Spy10021]

This morning I couldn't get Windows XP to boot and tried at least 20 times (selected "Normal", "safe-mode", "Same as last time" etc). Nothing worked so I got the brilliant idea to reinstall Windows XP.

Installation worked fine, but now all my former document, files, programs etc. are missing! Obviously, I didn't install it correctly (probably should have selected a "repair" or "reinstall" somewhere along the way...)

Is there any way for me to recover everything I had on my C drive (documents, photos, programs, etc) or did my installation write over everything?

Thanks in advance for ANY advice!

CXindy

 

[ultraviolet]

There are many file recovery programmes, do a google search. Get a free trial of a professional one, they won't recover the files but will show what's left on your hard drive.

 

[WinDoWsMoNoPoLy]

Hmmm i really do wish installing Windows would inflate folders, but it doesn't so i really doubt you can get your files back.

 

[Samstoned]

you need another drive to install os on do not write to the drive anymore
you can get back a lot of stuff as long as you don't write anymore to the drive
I have re-installed os's on same drive and can still get data back from area's not written to
try file scavenger or O&O recovery