The words "Straws" and "Clutching" spring to mind here - but there is a computer guru(ess) out in Phoenix, Arizona who sends out a weekly mail/newsheet (whatever).
She is constantly talking about photo recovery (lost daa) and says she has freebie software on her site for just that (and zillions of other) purpose(s).
Try a look at Kim Komando's site at
www.komando.com
Paws crossed.