Recover aborted format - Win 7 overwritten with OSX on Mac

[doublejay]

Gents,

I have an iMac, but I've been exclusively running Win 7 on it. 2 bootable Partitions.

While attempting to kill one of those partitions and install OSX again, I hit the proverbial wrong button, and started reformatting the whole disk for OSX.

I powered down very quickly, but partition tables already got written (in Mac format and I think the MBR too.)

I have a basic recovery tool kit, but have not been successful.

Things I've tried :

- Used Win 7 install CD and perform recovery. THis was rejected because the CD I have is a different version to the installed version. Win 7 wont perform the repair.

- Tried to create a WinPE or Hirens boot usb stick with unetbootin. I cant persuade the mac to boot this.

Where I am:

I've managed to boot a RIPlinux boot from USB. but this only seems one of the old partitions, and predictable it's not the one i really need.

What I'm looking for :

best case -restore the overwritten windows arrangement. i guess this is recovering the overwritten stuff which i accept might be tough
worst case. recover a few folders from the lost partition (which I'm assuming should be 99 or 100% intact becuase the format was aborted quickyl by powering off.

i'd be grateful for any pointers you might have.


thanks.

JJ

[doublejay]

Thanks for this. I think you might be right - but i dont really want to open up the imac unless absolutley necessary.

I'm going to try booting Linux from a stick. Are there are good Live distros that are designed for recovery ?


JJ