Hey OBIO,
Man.. I feel your pain. This happened to me 2 years ago, and I had Lionheart Creations on it..
Since then, I have learned to have backups of backups and to be responsible on backing up 'alot'...
I havent read all the input from others and I am sure they are repeats of what I am about to say. You might not be able to afford a really good backup HD, but get one anyway. In the future, when you can afford a class A backup HD, get it. For now, you can get super basic 'jumpers' that are under $20.00, nice plug in jumpers that are about $40.00, and you get a 'internal' HD and plug that in and just start transferring your data over for backups, and then store that puppy nicely in your desk drawer. (I have like 7 of them).
On your lost drive, you might be able to have the data saved by data pro's online. I think Henry knows a good group. might take a week, but you should be able to get your photos back (family and all), and perhaps some of your birds. So long as you havent attempted to add things, which would overwrite the 'floating' unlinked files.
When files are deleted, they still exist on your HD. They are only 'de-linked' from a master link, such as C:\My Documents\Photos... Once its link is gone, its floating in the land of 'no links, thus gonzo'... There are data search programs that retrieve those unlinked files and programs (and virus') and such. Be careful as deleted virus' can exist in that 'danger zone' as well.
Overwriting (downloading and installing) new data onto your HD will be overwriting those files that are de-linked, so beware of that too. The more you use it, the more files are being lost to new writing..
Bill
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