Some Computer Files Disappeared

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les-smith

les-smith

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For some reason the folder on my computer that I had most of my pen related info in is missing a bunch of stuff. Missing a lot of photos, couple folders, etc. I didn't mess with anything or delete anything, but there gone.

Has this happened to any of you?
 
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Are you sure someone didn't accidentally drag the folder into a different one? I have seen this happen many times at work.

Do a search for one of the files on your computer to determine if that is what happened.
 
Well it's worse than I thought. Lots of videos & family picture files/folders missing. I'm doing a system restore, 3 so far, going futher back each time, but nothing yet. I've gone a month and half back so far. I've got everything but the pen stuff backed up, so not all is lost, but this does suck.
 
Nobody else uses your computer?

System restore doesn't restore files as far as I know. Only system related softwares that you install/uninstall but I may be mistaken.
 
My understanding is the same as Dario's. Files that have been inadvertantly moves may(?) be "restored"; but files that have been deleted are gone.

Did you check your recycle bin to be sure they are not still there??
 
A similar thing happened to me (except I know for sure that I did mistakenly delete the files myself).

There are some programs out there that will aid you in recovering deleted files as long as that data area has not been written back over on your hard drive. Files that are "deleted" are not always truly gone, just the area on the disk that is occupied by that data is designated available to be used again by the computer. That being said, once you "delete" those files, the area that was occupying that data is written back over fairly quickly so it is hit-and-miss if the data you desire is still there. I only got a small percentage back of what I lost (less than 10% if I remember correctly).

I'm sorry I no longer have the name of the program I used (I think I did a google search to find it or something) since it happened to me a few years ago and I now use a online/off site backup service to help me from doing something like that again.

I hope this helps some.
 
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PTownSubbie said:
Are you sure someone didn't accidentally drag the folder into a different one? I have seen this happen many times at work.

Do a search for one of the files on your computer to determine if that is what happened.
Click to expand...

This happened so commonly at the agency I worked at, we called it "stuttering on the mouse".:frown:

Look at the folders immediately above and below the missing folder on the same level.
ie if you had folders named "papa", "pens", and "pinecones", but "pens" is missing, look in either papa or pinecones for the "pens" folder.

Hope this helps....
 
I just bought an external hard drive mainly for all the pics/videos of our new baby, but I would highly recommend something like that. You should ALWAYS have anything you don't want lost, saved in ATLEAST 2 places because technology will always fail you! :eek:

Another good option (from what I hear and read) is the online storage like carbonite.com
 
Dario said:
Nobody else uses your computer?

System restore doesn't restore files as far as I know. Only system related softwares that you install/uninstall but I may be mistaken.
Click to expand...

The OLD (Windows 95) System Restore DID bring back deleted files. It
really did restore your computer right back to what it was. (problems and all)
but the newer version doesn't do that.

Might not hurt to have your computer do a search for any file name you
can remember.. as someone mentioned, it might have gotten dropped into
another folder somewhere.. The search would point you to the new location
and you can move it back to where you want it.
 
One thought I had because it has happened to me. set your computer to show hidden files. I thought I had lost files before but when I found the show hidden thing they had somehow gotten set to hidden.

from ducuments or wherever your files are supposed to be click on tools, folder options, View, a little way down the list make sure show hidden files and folders is checked.
 
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NewLondon88 said:
The OLD (Windows 95) System Restore DID bring back deleted files. It really did restore your computer right back to what it was. (problems and all) but the newer version doesn't do that.
Click to expand...

If that is the case, wouldn't it "delete" new files that you added after that recovery point (where you are restoring to)? We can't have everything huh?

I usually only do restore if a newly installed program/software doesn't act as I expected/wanted it to. Usually done within minutes (max of a day).

BTW, If you did registry clean up in between...I believe you have to restore your old registry as well before the actual restoration, otherwise it won't actually do a full restore.
 
Dario said:
If that is the case, wouldn't it "delete" new files that you added after that recovery point (where you are restoring to)?
Click to expand...

Yep . .it did. New stuff gone, old stuff came back. Kinda threw me when it
did that (or when someone else did it without my knowledge) .. files I was
working on were gone and things I got rid of a long time ago suddenly came
back to haunt.
 
If you want those files try the undelete program that Lou sent a link to; if that program doesn't recover the files, there are some powerful and expensive programs that do work, Easy Recovery Professional, is one of them.
Of course, if it turns out to be that it is simply a misplaced folder as mentioned, all well and good, hope you find it.
The advice to have 2 back ups is excellent advice and keep the back ups in two different places. Amos
 
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