Help Please, is this possible

[leon]

Hi Guys, this one is for the very experienced Computer people, and I am not one of them.

My sister was a joint owner of a small company and the other partner has done some really bad stuff and left her high and dry, so to speak.

This other partner who was ripping of the Company and spending on their own property/house/garden, etc.

Because of false statements and cash money jobs this partner decided to cover their tracks and format/wipe the hard drive of the Company Laptop.

The question is this can that be retrieved, with expert help

She is so upset and needs that stuff back, and also the back up stuff was wiped as well

Thank You.

Leon

[glend (Glen)]

I suggest the Police have people that can do that, and it sound like a crime may have been committed. Unfortunately, in Partnerships it is often, he said, she said, and blame is not easily resolved legally. I have a nephew who went into a partnership with a cousin, the cousin nearly destroyed the business through personal expenses charged to a company credit card. In the end, the nephew was forced to 'buy out' the cousin. Sadly many people go into Partnerships not realising that all your personal assets are at risk, and you can be responsible for the other partners spending. The only safe business structure is a Pty Ltd company, where your assets are outside the company so to speak. It won't prevent another owner from taking money from the company but your liability is limited within the company.

Your sister would be wise to advise the ATO asap, as they can grant extensions on GST and tax payments if the situation is explained. She should hire a lawyer experienced in Partnership disputes. The other partners assets will be at risk in this. She needs to document everything.
This is an excellent example as to why small businesses should back up hard drives, computers, etc and store the backups remotely. If she uses a Cloud based storage of some kind, that can be recovered. Intentionally destroying business information in the way you describe is probably illegal as ASIC and the ATO require all businesses to maintain seven years worth of financial records. Ask the police for advice.
Good luck

[Octane (Humayun)]

Yes, (depending on what was done to the hard drive) the data can still be undeleted. She's best off taking it to a data recovery business. It'll cost a few bucks, but, if the information on there is useful in helping her out of her crappy situation, it'll be worth the investment.

H

[The_bluester (Paul)]

What Octane said. It is likely to be possible but on the assumption that it is only the financial stuff that has been deleted and the laptop still works, she should stop using it immediately. Don't even turn it on.

It is probably possible to recover data, and it may even be able to be recovered if it has been over written with new data if the laptop is still used but it makes it a far slower and more expensive process.

[sil (Steve)]

definitely recoverable and at this point do not use the machine, take the drive out altogether, dont even turn it on just to copy stuff off it because the operating system will ALWAYS perform its own writes to the drive possibly corrupting the original file you want to recover. take it to a data recovery business, this what they do (if you try doing it yourself you're going to screw things up), if the intention is to take the files to a lawyer or police determine that right NOW. There are forensic (ie legal) procedures to follow otherwise the accussed can just say you recovered the files and altered them yourself . it much more than "just recovering the files" if you've made a formal complaint to the police then the drive is evidence and should be handed to them already for them to arrange forensic recovery (if not you are currently withholding evidence).

Seriously, get the hell out of the forum and go speak to a data recovery center about the situation, they will be able to advise you how to proceed if you want to have any hope of proving fraud and recovering any funds. Do not go the the kid next door who is good with computers or your local cheap chinese computer chap. Right now it sounds they could accuse YOU of stealing the money and wiping the evidence from the laptop. Not joking , just bugger off and talk to a data recovery business or two, any delay or mistake now will cost you big later on, including criminal charges. Talk to your lawyer second, turn off unplug the laptop first.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Also don't find the cheapest legitimate company, find the most respected. Some of the more specialised companies for deep recovery can charge $5,000+ although this is more for people who really know how to defeagment a HD. Point being, it could cost a lot but it is an investment if it gives you out of this predicament.

[leon]

Thank you so much for your help. it was much appreciated.

And bugger me i reached 10,000 posts


Leon

[Octane (Humayun)]

Congrats on the 10K! You're not too far behind me.

H