Please help! Formatted hdd

[P373R]

i was previously running vista SP1 with little problems untill it decided to stop functioning / get a virus.

so i went to install Win 7 RC 64bit.

i have 2 hard drives plugged in, 1 500GB, 1 80GB.
unfortunatly i "HAD" 80GB free space on the 500GB.
so upon formatting i formated all of my games, videos, programs etc...

it took me 3 seconds to realise and 3 seconds to force shutdown but the damage has been done [threfore im assuming it was a "quick" format]

HOW CAN I GET MY DATA BACK!
ive heard of many numerous cases of data being retrived, just dont know how to go about it.

[preferably free or low cost ways!]
thanks guys

 

[CpBoy]

the only way i can think of is to get a external hhd adaptor ide/sata to usb and connect it to a working computer and see if the information is still there if windows 7 installer hasent already finished formating the dive before you shutdown

 

[Destructo]

there is software out there that can bring back missing files. just make sure you don't write any more data onto the hard drive in the meantime. bestfreewaredownload.com is a good place to look for free software, but the selection of good software for stuff like this is limited.

 

[celeron]

This is not accidental deletion, so i think it's a little hard to get your data back. Try using acronis or stellar phoenix to recover your data.
Wish you have a good luck.