Windows (vista) failed to start

Tried to restore to my Toshiba Equium laptop to factory settings. It
started to format the disk and then Blue screened.

Now it wont even boot. Error message I get is :-

"windows failed to start........"


File \windows\system32\winload.exe


status: 0xc000000f


I dont have a Vista disk (never had one) so downloaded the Vista boot
repair disk. Tried the repair option on here and fixboot from the
command line but still no joy. Any ideas?

wrote:

> Tried to restore to my Toshiba Equium laptop to factory settings. It
> started to format the disk and then Blue screened.
>
> Now it wont even boot. Error message I get is :-
>
> "windows failed to start........"
>
>
> File \windows\system32\winload.exe
>
>
> status: 0xc000000f
>
>
> I dont have a Vista disk (never had one) so downloaded the Vista boot
> repair disk. Tried the repair option on here and fixboot from the
> command line but still no joy. Any ideas?

If the machine would not get through the factory restore, either the hard
drive is failing or you have other hardware issues. Test the hard drive
(see below) and if it is bad, replace it. If the hard drive passes the long
test, contact Toshiba tech support. When you speak to them, also order a
replacement recovery disk set. This isn't usually very expensive. You will
need it in any case to install Vista if the hard drive is bad.

Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the drive
mftr.'s website. You will create a bootable CD with the file you download.
You will need third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero,
or the free CDBurnerXP Pro. Burn as an image, not as data.

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails
any physical tests, replace it.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

<> wrote in message
news:97361f68-221d-4ec7-9ad0-...
> Tried to restore to my Toshiba Equium laptop to factory settings. It
> started to format the disk and then Blue screened.
>
> Now it wont even boot. Error message I get is :-
>
> "windows failed to start........"
>
>
> File \windows\system32\winload.exe
>
>
> status: 0xc000000f
>
>
> I dont have a Vista disk (never had one) so downloaded the Vista boot
> repair disk. Tried the repair option on here and fixboot from the
> command line but still no joy. Any ideas?

You will need to repair/replace the corrupted file for which you will need a
vista install disk. It should be a quick fix with the disk , borrowing one
from a friend could be the way to go !!
Good luck

Usually when you boot and use F8 one of the options is Toshiba
recovery. (Its a tosh equius laptop). If you select this it then goes
ahead and restores.

I'm guessing this is a hidden partition on the desk or something? Of
course, trouble now is since it started to format the disk and then
aborted now I cant even get to the F8 stage.

Looks like hunting down a vista disk might be my only option.

<> wrote in message
news:97361f68-221d-4ec7-9ad0-...
> Tried to restore to my Toshiba Equium laptop to factory settings. It
> started to format the disk and then Blue screened.
>
> Now it wont even boot. Error message I get is :-
>
> "windows failed to start........"
>
>
> File \windows\system32\winload.exe
>
>
> status: 0xc000000f
>
>
> I dont have a Vista disk (never had one) so downloaded the Vista boot
> repair disk. Tried the repair option on here and fixboot from the
> command line but still no joy. Any ideas?

Hi Bertie--

There is no MSFT Public newsgroup that we can send to here with the title
"24 hour helpdesk"--I'm not sure where people are getting that and listing
it as an additional newsgroup. By definition the MSFT groups are 24 hour
help desks. They don't close.

I agree you ought to test the HD and you can do this by using Seagate tools
or something from the maker of your hd as Malke previously suggested.
However, no one knows for sure that your problem is not a software problem,
since they are operating from a distance, and statstically software causes
of can't boot Vistas outnumber hardware problems greatly. There is nothing
perfectly diagnostic of a hdw or hard drive failing situation you have
given.

So while I would test the HD, and other hardware could always be in the
picture, it takes a few minutes to finish exhausting all of the tools at
your disposal for recoverying your Vista and all its settings. They are
laid out below. And I want to emphasize, that when you run the bootrec
commands, run all 3 I give you.

You have nothing whatsoever to lose by trying all software recovery steps
except for a few minutes, and everything to gain. None of them are going to
"hurt you or your pc or your software."

And as you can see from the first link below, you can download the .iso for
a Vista Startup Repair Disk and burn it to make the Repair Disk:

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...airstartup.htm

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
Startup Repair list.

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...airstartup.htm

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup
Repair list.

4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html

5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
Advanced Options Menu.

From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sure
you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work. Tap F8
to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/v...ot-Options.jpg

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use for
system restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
Known Good Configuration.

Good luck,

CH

On Apr 27, 3:15*pm, "Chad Harris" <Win7@yes_she_can.net> wrote:
> <BertieBigBol...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:97361f68-221d-4ec7-9ad0-...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Tried to restore to my Toshiba Equium laptop to factory settings. It
> > started to format the disk and then Blue screened.
>
> > Now it wont even boot. Error message I get is :-
>
> > "windows failed to start........"
>
> > File \windows\system32\winload.exe
>
> > status: 0xc000000f
>
> > I dont have a Vista disk (never had one) so downloaded the Vista boot
> > repair disk. Tried the repair option on here and fixboot from the
> > command line but still no joy. Any ideas?
>
> Hi Bertie--
>
> There is no MSFT Public newsgroup that we can send to here with the title
> "24 hour helpdesk"--I'm not sure where people are getting that and listing
> it as an additional newsgroup. *By definition the MSFT groups are 24 hour
> help desks. *They don't close.
>
> I agree you ought to test the HD and you can do this by using Seagate tools
> or something from the maker of your hd as Malke previously suggested.
> However, no one knows for sure that your problem is not a software problem,
> since they are operating from a distance, and statstically software causes
> of can't boot Vistas outnumber hardware problems greatly. *There is nothing
> perfectly diagnostic of a hdw or hard drive failing situation you have
> given.
>
> So while I would test the HD, and other hardware could always be in the
> picture, it takes a few minutes to finish exhausting all of the tools at
> your disposal for recoverying your Vista and all its settings. *They are
> laid out below. *And I want to emphasize, that when you run the bootrec
> commands, run all 3 I give you.
>
> You have nothing whatsoever to lose by trying all software recovery steps
> except for a few minutes, and everything to gain. *None of them are going to
> "hurt you or your pc or your software."
>
> And as you can see from the first link below, you can download the .iso for
> a Vista Startup Repair Disk and burn it to make the Repair Disk:
>
> Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
>
> How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you *make:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html
>
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...9f8c1-b0d1-4f1...
>
> 1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. *If you have a Vista DVD then
> restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
> Repair. *From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
> of fixing your system. *If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
> Startup Repair, no problem, *Download the .iso from the *link below *and
> burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
> Repair.
>
> Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
>
> How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you *make:
>
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html
>
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...9f8c1-b0d1-4f1...
>
> 2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
> commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:
>
> The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.
>
> http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...tup/repairstar...
>
> Those are:
>
> bootrec /fixmbr
> bootrec /fixboot
> bootrec /rebuild BCD
>
> 3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
> Startup Repair list.
>
> 1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. *If you have a Vista DVD then
> restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
> Repair. *From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
> of fixing your system. *If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
> Startup Repair, no problem, *Download the .iso from the *link below *and
> burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
> Repair.
>
> Download Vista Repair Diskhttp://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
>
> How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you *make:
>
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html
>
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...9f8c1-b0d1-4f1...
>
> 2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
> commands from the command prompt available on the Statup Repair Menu:
>
> The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.
>
> http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...tup/repairstar...
>
> Those are:
>
> bootrec /fixmbr
> bootrec /fixboot
> bootrec /rebuild BCD
>
> 3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from theStartup
> Repair list.
>
> 4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
> from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
> try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.
>
> How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html
>
> 5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
> restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
> Advanced Options Menu.
>
> From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. *Make sure
> you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work. TapF8
> to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:
>
> http://media.photobucket.com/image/v...vanced%20optio...
>
> Safe Mode
> Safe Mode with Networking
> Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use for
> system restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:
>
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
>
> If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
> Known Good Configuration.
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Tried all these steps...

"Tried all these steps..". from BertieBig--

Hi Bertie--

I don't know the age of your Toshiba but possibly it has a warranty. Many
laptops, notebooks, and netbooks have 2 year warrantees in my experience.

When people tell me they have tried all these steps, and I am with them, I
find out most of the time they haven't really tried

1) all bootrec switches
2) the 3 safe modes I named (I don't use VGA for this) at the command
prompt to access system restore because one might work when another doesn't
and one needs a command which I have provided
3) Last Known Good Configuration at the F8 Win Advanced Options Menu

But after you have, many here have suggested to test your hard drive. As I
always say, those tests are not perfect, they are between 75-95% accurate,
and like medical clinical lab tests they have false positives, false
negatives and limited specificity and sensitivity for accuracy.

Most little med students think they are learning tests that are black and
white, and after years of practice under their belts they learn that nearly
every test has its limitations. The same is true for testing the hard
drive, but as Malke suggested, by all means do it. Particularly if you've
tried to fix software corruption which only takes a few minutes of your time
and is time well spent. You can use Seagate tools for the HD in your
Toshiba, or you can go to the maker of your HD who will surely have tools to
test the HD.

Sometimes even after failing said tests, I have seen HDs last for over a
year. Each case could be different.

I wish you the best of luck. I want you to get everything back, and that's
why I urge you to use all software possibilities. There are ways to plug a
dead HD into another HD setup on a working box and recover your data as
well. Fry's/websites even sell a $30 device that makes it easier, when it
works.

Please let us know how your hard drive tests. Unfortunately while you can
easily open a desktop and test other hardware problems, cables, and video
and audio card seating, you can't do this near as easily on a laptop,
notebook, or netbook.

Best of luck,

CH

On Apr 27, 4:26*pm, "Chad Harris" <Win7@yes_she_can.net> wrote:
> "Tried all these steps..". from BertieBig--
>
> Hi Bertie--
>
> I don't know the age of your Toshiba but possibly it has a warranty. *Many
> laptops, notebooks, and netbooks have 2 year warrantees in my experience.
>
> When people tell me they have tried all these steps, and I am with them, I
> find out most of the time they haven't really tried
>
> 1) all bootrec switches
> 2) the 3 *safe modes I named (I don't use VGA for this) at the command
> prompt to access system restore because one might work when another doesn't
> and one needs a command which I have provided
> 3) Last Known Good Configuration at the F8 Win Advanced Options Menu
>
> But after you have, many here have suggested to test your hard drive. *As I
> always say, those tests are not perfect, they are between 75-95% accurate,
> and like medical clinical lab tests they have false positives, false
> negatives and limited specificity and sensitivity for accuracy.
>
> Most little med students think they are learning tests that are black and
> white, and after years of practice under their belts they learn that nearly
> every test has its limitations. *The same is true for testing the hard
> drive, but as Malke suggested, by all means do it. *Particularly if you've
> tried to fix software corruption which only takes a few minutes of your time
> and is time well spent. *You can use Seagate tools for the HD in your
> Toshiba, or you can go to the maker of your HD who will surely have toolsto
> test the HD.
>
> Sometimes even after failing said tests, I have seen HDs last for over a
> year. *Each case could be different.
>
> I wish you the best of luck. *I want you to get everything back, and that's
> why I urge you to use all software possibilities. *There are ways to plug a
> dead HD into another HD setup on a working box and recover your data as
> well. *Fry's/websites even sell a $30 device that makes it easier, whenit
> works.
>
> Please let us know how your hard drive tests. *Unfortunately while you can
> easily open a desktop and test other hardware problems, cables, and video
> and audio card seating, you can't do this near as easily on a laptop,
> notebook, or netbook.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> CH

I think the problem is the restore started to format the drive so its
now totally screwed up i.e. nothing on it.

I cant even get as far being able to select F8 now.

Its not my laptop - its a friends, but reading the documentation they
should really have created a restore disk. Normally, it appears the
restore partition (which I assume is a hidden partition) is good for
rebuilding.

But, thats only if you can get it to the F8 (which I cant).

My next step was going to be trying to rebuild using a Vista CD. Not
sure after this if I will get the customised Toshiba menu afterwards
though. If I can I can F8 and select restore from restore partition
and job done (then make sure a restore disk is created).

You are at the point where you need to go past what is included with the
computer, including the operating system!

You need to boot from a CD that has a partitioning program installed on the
CD - such as Acronis Disk Director suite. Then you can delete what is left
of the corrupted partition, create new partitions and then load the
operating system again. You will need a valid Vista DVD to do this as there
will be no recovery information left on the computers hard drive.

Please believe me when I say that computer technicians have to do this
frequently.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience



<> wrote in message
news:e5c158af-f1f0-4566-a7e6-...
> On Apr 27, 4:26 pm, "Chad Harris" <Win7@yes_she_can.net> wrote:
>> "Tried all these steps..". from BertieBig--
>>
>> Hi Bertie--
>>
>> I don't know the age of your Toshiba but possibly it has a warranty.
>> Many
>> laptops, notebooks, and netbooks have 2 year warrantees in my experience.
>>
>> When people tell me they have tried all these steps, and I am with them,
>> I
>> find out most of the time they haven't really tried
>>
>> 1) all bootrec switches
>> 2) the 3 safe modes I named (I don't use VGA for this) at the command
>> prompt to access system restore because one might work when another
>> doesn't
>> and one needs a command which I have provided
>> 3) Last Known Good Configuration at the F8 Win Advanced Options Menu
>>
>> But after you have, many here have suggested to test your hard drive. As
>> I
>> always say, those tests are not perfect, they are between 75-95%
>> accurate,
>> and like medical clinical lab tests they have false positives, false
>> negatives and limited specificity and sensitivity for accuracy.
>>
>> Most little med students think they are learning tests that are black and
>> white, and after years of practice under their belts they learn that
>> nearly
>> every test has its limitations. The same is true for testing the hard
>> drive, but as Malke suggested, by all means do it. Particularly if
>> you've
>> tried to fix software corruption which only takes a few minutes of your
>> time
>> and is time well spent. You can use Seagate tools for the HD in your
>> Toshiba, or you can go to the maker of your HD who will surely have tools
>> to
>> test the HD.
>>
>> Sometimes even after failing said tests, I have seen HDs last for over a
>> year. Each case could be different.
>>
>> I wish you the best of luck. I want you to get everything back, and
>> that's
>> why I urge you to use all software possibilities. There are ways to plug
>> a
>> dead HD into another HD setup on a working box and recover your data as
>> well. Fry's/websites even sell a $30 device that makes it easier, when
>> it
>> works.
>>
>> Please let us know how your hard drive tests. Unfortunately while you
>> can
>> easily open a desktop and test other hardware problems, cables, and video
>> and audio card seating, you can't do this near as easily on a laptop,
>> notebook, or netbook.
>>
>> Best of luck,
>>
>> CH
>
> I think the problem is the restore started to format the drive so its
> now totally screwed up i.e. nothing on it.
>
> I cant even get as far being able to select F8 now.
>
> Its not my laptop - its a friends, but reading the documentation they
> should really have created a restore disk. Normally, it appears the
> restore partition (which I assume is a hidden partition) is good for
> rebuilding.
>
> But, thats only if you can get it to the F8 (which I cant).
>
> My next step was going to be trying to rebuild using a Vista CD. Not
> sure after this if I will get the customised Toshiba menu afterwards
> though. If I can I can F8 and select restore from restore partition
> and job done (then make sure a restore disk is created).

<> wrote in message
news:e5c158af-f1f0-4566-a7e6-...
> On Apr 27, 4:26 pm, "Chad Harris" <Win7@yes_she_can.net> wrote:
>> "Tried all these steps..". from BertieBig--
>>
>> Hi Bertie--
>>
>> I don't know the age of your Toshiba but possibly it has a warranty.
>> Many
>> laptops, notebooks, and netbooks have 2 year warrantees in my experience.
>>
>> When people tell me they have tried all these steps, and I am with them,
>> I
>> find out most of the time they haven't really tried
>>
>> 1) all bootrec switches
>> 2) the 3 safe modes I named (I don't use VGA for this) at the command
>> prompt to access system restore because one might work when another
>> doesn't
>> and one needs a command which I have provided
>> 3) Last Known Good Configuration at the F8 Win Advanced Options Menu
>>
>> But after you have, many here have suggested to test your hard drive. As
>> I
>> always say, those tests are not perfect, they are between 75-95%
>> accurate,
>> and like medical clinical lab tests they have false positives, false
>> negatives and limited specificity and sensitivity for accuracy.
>>
>> Most little med students think they are learning tests that are black and
>> white, and after years of practice under their belts they learn that
>> nearly
>> every test has its limitations. The same is true for testing the hard
>> drive, but as Malke suggested, by all means do it. Particularly if
>> you've
>> tried to fix software corruption which only takes a few minutes of your
>> time
>> and is time well spent. You can use Seagate tools for the HD in your
>> Toshiba, or you can go to the maker of your HD who will surely have tools
>> to
>> test the HD.
>>
>> Sometimes even after failing said tests, I have seen HDs last for over a
>> year. Each case could be different.
>>
>> I wish you the best of luck. I want you to get everything back, and
>> that's
>> why I urge you to use all software possibilities. There are ways to plug
>> a
>> dead HD into another HD setup on a working box and recover your data as
>> well. Fry's/websites even sell a $30 device that makes it easier, when
>> it
>> works.
>>
>> Please let us know how your hard drive tests. Unfortunately while you
>> can
>> easily open a desktop and test other hardware problems, cables, and video
>> and audio card seating, you can't do this near as easily on a laptop,
>> notebook, or netbook.
>>
>> Best of luck,
>>
>> CH
>
> I think the problem is the restore started to format the drive so its
> now totally screwed up i.e. nothing on it.
>
> I cant even get as far being able to select F8 now.
>
> Its not my laptop - its a friends, but reading the documentation they
> should really have created a restore disk. Normally, it appears the
> restore partition (which I assume is a hidden partition) is good for
> rebuilding.
>
> But, thats only if you can get it to the F8 (which I cant).
>
> My next step was going to be trying to rebuild using a Vista CD. Not
> sure after this if I will get the customised Toshiba menu afterwards
> though. If I can I can F8 and select restore from restore partition
> and job done (then make sure a restore disk is created).

Bertie--

Restore partitions (sometimes hidden and sometimes not) sometimes work and
sometimes don't in my experience. Usually you can make F8 work, but
sometimes as you say, it won't.
Make sure although I've said this twice, that you tried all 3 bootrec
switches at the comand prompt from Startup Repair's menu because I know you
can reach that. I've provided detailed instructions and screenshots of how
to use Startup Repair and access the command prompt from its menu, and I
strongly urge you to make sure you do that.

Select command prompt from Startup Repair's Menu:

http://owened.co.nz/Owenedv2/wp-cont...tup-repair.png

The best backup by far is to drag and drop files and folders and save them
to media or another hard drive that is somewhere besides on the box you're
backing up. Then, what you see is what you get, but even the other HD can
fail. Most people use external HDs to backup or store material that has
outgrown their existing HDs, particularly laptop, notebook, net book users,
but those guys can corrupt.

Often you can run startup repair and detect if anything is on the disc, but
it's not infallible. A pretty sure fire way of seeing if the disk has been
formatted (and btw most formats people do including F-disks could easily be
recovered by experts but that's expensive--formats that are called formats
by everyday users are not in fact completely formatting but they are putting
the material beyond reach of any norma end user). Forensic experts recover
so-called formatted HDs every day.

One way to simply tell for sure if your disk has been formatted in literal
seconds, is to pop in a G-Parted Live disc and it's going to tell you what's
on that HD and what's not.

One important tip that many people don't tell you you need to follow for
G-Parted to actually work:

When the G-Parted Partition Screen comes up, put your mouse in the lower
right hand corner and drag it to the width of your monitor or G-Parted's
changes might refuse to apply.

After you make your changes, you have to go to the top toolbar and click
"apply".

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...sta-partition/

http://lifehacker.com/software/parti...-cd-175024.php

Good luck,

CH