My Outlook 2003 .pst file (1.8 GB) just started the other day to give me trouble (as in VERY slow response time). Then when it wouldn't let me create a copy of the file (even in DOS and even right after a fresh boot), it became clear that my drive had one or bad sectors.
So I stupidly ran CHKDSK /R (the /R switch tells Chkdsk to attempt to repair any errors that it encounters). Then after a reboot, my .pst file is completely gone. Even more stupidly, I haven't backed up the file in an entire year. Any thoughts on what my options are at this point?
I've used Ontrack's laptop data recovery service in the past (for $2,600 - ouch) and am prepared to spend the money again if necessary, but is there anything that I can try myself first? I've read (perhaps from companies like Ontrack.com, who would have a financial incentive to stretch the truth on this point) that the more you try the "do-it-yourself" drive recovery software tools you attempt unsuccessfully, the lower the chances of success when you eventually physically ship your hard drive to companies like Ontrack who do their magic in their so-called "clean rooms."
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