I tried starting my computer recently, but received a black screen with the error 'Interactive logon process initialization has failed'. Nothing I did was able to bypass this and logon to Vista. Searching for a solution online, the advice seemed to be to use command promt accessed via the HP Recovey Console to fix this problem. Meanwhile, whilst trying to do this, I accidentaly started to re-install windows without backing up any of the contents of the computer. As soon as I realised what I had started, I quickly shut down the computer by pulling out the battery (there was no other way to cancel it). I realise this was all a terrible mistake, but there is nothing I can do about that now. What I want to know is how can I recover any of the data on my hard drive? I have booted into my computer using Knoppix, yet it seems that both my hard drives are empty already. Considering the recovery/re-installation of windows was running for a maximum of 5 seconds before I pulled the plug, I do not see how it could have erased my hard drive in such a short time. If anyone can advise me on how to recover anything on my hard drive, I would greatly appreciate it. I have alot of important documents that I did not manage to back up. Thanks

sata or ide drive? You may have to get an externmal usb enclosure and get back your info on another pc I quickly shut down the computer by pulling out the battery You say computer but don't say if it's a laptop or a desktop Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

Im sorry I wasnt clearer. Its a HP laptop. What advice can you give me to recover my data?

you may have to physically remove the HD from the laptop and try what I mentioned using another PC to retrieve the information. Also, you may have done motherboard damage while pulling the battery while vista was being re-installed. It's a jolt to the system Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers