Lost files - Leaving empty folders

[Lost Files]

Hi guys, hope you're having a good weekend..

 

At some point yesterday all the folders on my cluttered desktop emptied themselves and several folders disappeared completely.

 

Mostly the folders contained my jpeg photos but also a few mp3s etc...

 

I tried a system restore to last week, and the missing folders came back but they were empty.

 

All mentioned files were there the Friday so something happened Saturday.

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, some of my work isn't anywhere else.

 

Regards

Paul

 

 

OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Version : 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600

[BeeCeeBee]

Try doing a search for one of the missing files by name making sure that the search for hidden files option is enabled in advanced search options.

[Crocodile]

data recovery?

 

Hello there,

 

I know how that feels if files are gone..

 

I am having another problem with mine.... cannot do anything at the moment so I have a look in the forum if I can help someone else :)

 

the only thing I could think of is data recovery software?

[BeeCeeBee]

I doubt the data is lost in the sense that an attempt at recovery software is needed. I do have one other thought though? How many accounts are there and if more than one, have you checked shared files?

[Lost Files]

Thanks guys, but I've lost like 5gb of images :/

 

I'm thinking the BitTorrent software which I let update itself yesterday might have something to do with it.

 

I was trying to legally download 5gb of audio lectures but didn't have enough space...

 

Could the software have tried to make space?

 

I really need my work back

[BeeCeeBee]

Ok lost first let me be clear about one thing, our rules are very specific about giving help regarding anything to do with p2p problems for a number of reasons. We will, however guide your attempts to remove it if should you need it.

 

No advice or help will be offered with regard to P2P (Peer to Peer, torrents etc) programs or software obtained via that medium unless a member specifically states that they require help on removing such software.

 

That being said, it is very possible that whatever you did do by way of torrents may have introduced malware into your system that has caused your problem

 

If the methods for finding the "lost" files already suggested fail to locate them I would suggest that you remove all of any p2p programs you may be running and come back to us for disinfection instructions.

[Tootech]

If you are sure they are not visible on your hard drive, you could try a free recovery program.

 

Have a look here

 

Free data Recovery Software Roundup! (All freeware data recovery tools.)

 

Top 10 FREE Data Recovery Software Raymond.CC Blog

 

Easeus is nice software, PC Inpsector and Freeundelete have worked for me at times. Avira didn't work well, so I would pass on that.

 

Depending on how valuable your data is, it may be worth paying a little bit for a better piece of software.

 

It is probably best to slave the drive to another machine to work on it until you find your data - lost files can be overwritten by Windows over a period of time.

[Lost Files]

Ok cool thanks guys, and I understand why you dont help p2p people but this was all legal stuff..

 

Anyway I'll report back, I'm just trying scandisks rescuepro.

 

Regards

[BeeCeeBee]

I'm glad you understand.

 

I by no means doubt your honesty, etc. There really are two issues:

 

1. We cannot help people use these programs to get "legal" stuff (things you are entitled to) without those instructions being used by anyone who is trying to use them for less honourable reasons.

 

2. Using these p2p programs is really dangerous and unsafe. They have been the cause of tons of malware threads started on just Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help alone.

 

3. You really should find a better way to get your lecture notes.