whats a good program to use to recover data you lost by reformatting? im sure there is something out there, i remember coming across a program that would even revive a deleted partition

First off, have you tried piriforms freeware program "recuva" http://www.recuva.com/

Yes as firery points out give, recuva a try first

http://docs.piriform.com/recuva/using-recu...formatted-disks

yes, it didnt find anything. My brothers computer xp you just got to do a search of files and folders and you'll find deleted files from past formatting etc. I don't know why vista cant do that. so im looking for a program to help me out

Have a look at this program: http://www.tucows.com/article/1711 It claims it can recover data from a formatted drive.

This one seems more professional though: http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/

I have a work around way with no recovering programs although a bit complicated:
1.I reinstall windows without reformatting or deleting any part of ex windows.(side by side)
2.Using the new installed windows,I copy all the files I want from ex windows to for example: D partition.
3.Format the partition where Windows (the two of them) are installed and reinstall Windows again.

I know it sounds insane ,I personally did it and saved EVERYTHING I wanted, and in my case Windows was completely disabled .The first installation saved the files and with the second installation(after reformatting) I put back all the files where they originally were......

Recuva is the best for more information
http://www.recuva.com/
Thanks
RC

Message for above poster rc2429

Your spam link is removed and you are banned

s**t the second 1 thats 70$ was just free on gaotd a couple of days ago. Speaking of that site im going to post a thread for everyone about that site it's really good

As seen here.