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I have a compaq computer which the system has become corrupt.

A power cut caused my computer to fail its load.
I was unable to load it from a disk and the only thing I could do was format the partition.
But my files remain hidden... They haven't been removed.
Because using software I had I could see the files they were just unreadable but you could see a file name.

Apparently I need to contact the compaq company and pay for a repair.
Is there a way around this.

Grant

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: since you confirmed (reply to ) you used a Windows disk and a format tool and you do not have factory media, stop using that drive immediately. The single most important step after an unexpected format is to avoid writing to the disk — every write reduces the chance of a full recovery.

Practical next steps (safe order):

  1. Remove the drive and attach it to another working PC (internal as a secondary drive or via a USB-SATA adapter).
  2. Make a full sector image of the drive before trying repairs or recoveries (tools people use: dd/ddrescue on Linux, Macrium Reflect or similar on Windows). Work from the image copy, not the original.
  3. Try file-table/partition repair tools on the image first (TestDisk is well known for recovering partitions and MFT records). If filenames show but files are unreadable, image-first and then attempt recovery; if the file table is lost you may need a file-carving tool (PhotoRec or commercial recoverers) which can recover file contents but usually not original filenames.
  4. If files are only hidden (not actually formatted away) you can try clearing attributes from an elevated Windows command prompt on a copied drive: 
attrib -h -s -r D:\*.* /s /d

Replace D: with the correct drive letter and always work on a copy.

Cautions: do not run destructive utilities (including chkdsk) against the original disk before imaging — chkdsk can make some recoveries impossible. If the data is critical, consider a professional data-recovery service. For reinstalling the OS, Compaq systems are now handled by HP; if factory restore media is needed, contact HP support for legacy recovery options.

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Member Avatar for mitz

Did you use the factory restore disk to format the partition or a normal Windows Disc?

Member Avatar for Grantmitch1

It didnt come with a factory restore disk...

I used a windows disk and a format software disk...

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