Some how, I lost whole folders' worth of data from my computer...disappeared, gone forever. *When I discovered the folders were missing, I checked my trash can and they weren't there. *Then I ran two different File Recovery applications on my computer and found nothing, no remnants or anything. *I don't know how these folders disappeared with no traces whatsoever and I'm confused and having a complete breakdown in confidence.
Two of my most important folders are missing...these are the folders that I use on a daily basis so I noticed them missing immediately. *I've also identified another folder that is missing and there could be more. *It just makes me sick....
Luckily, I have most of the really important data backed up in different places. *I have a backup application installed on the computer, but the backup application is difficult to use, unreliable and just really not ideal. *This experience has made me realize that my backup solution is inadequate. *I really need a better method so I hope you can point me to some great backup solutions. *I am open to software and online solutions...I just want something that is easy to use, transparent to me, and is very reliable.
__________________ Julie | Microsoft MVP Mobile Devices | Mobility Site Moderator | Judge, Smartphone & Pocket PC Best Software Awards 2007 & 2008 | visit my blog: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I'm sorry for you, Julie !
If/when you know what happened I'm sure you'll tell us.
I've recovered many lost directories and files during my professional lifetime.
But a harddisk can be very sensible. Flipping a single specific bit will make your HD useless.
how mush data are you talking about? if it's less than 2 Gb i still have some invites to an online storage solution that's in beta, called DropBox that you could try and see if it suits your needs! Then there are upgrades that you can subscribe to :)
there's also an add on for firefox called GSpace, that lets you use your unused Gmail space for online storage!
it uses Amazons servers as storage so its uptime should be pretty good
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Sorry to hear this, strange behavior as nothing can be traced. I support users at work and in this situation, if the data is not in the Recycle Bin, I would assume if you are the only person using the PC that the folders were moved to another folder by mistake thus not being found. I know that you are an experience user and may have done a search for the files and folders. If not do so. If you had any storage devices attached to your PC lately (iPod, CD or DVD formatted where you can just drop files to it, memory card, camera, portable drive) I would reconnect them ans search there. It is a long shot but who knows it maybe just there.
Also you can use native windows if you are running XP or Vista to recover your drive the way it was earlier in the week or month if this function was activated.
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If you get dead silence after breaking the speed of sound, would you be in the darkness after passing the speed of light?
Thank you for posting a link to your backup strategy. *I reviewed it and it sounds like a very logical approach to backing up a system. *Once I figure out what solution to use, I hope to utilize such an approach to backing up my data.
*
I was looking through the LifeHacker website to see the backup solutions that are recommended by users there and Mozy seems like a favorite online way to backup up the data. *Mozy can be used to back up to 2 GB of data free of charge and provides more space for a monthly charge (I think $5 a month or something like that). I appreciate the referral and I'll be looking closely at Mozy (although I will need more than 2 GB of space).
*
Originally Posted by Zaniax
Afterthoughts:
*
Those errors could be caused by a bad FAT table.
But the HD maintain a FAT table backup by itself.
*
In the 'old' day I used Norton Disk Editor to correct such errors but I don't know how to direct you to do that.
* If I'm correct your HD is very error prone and should be replaced ASAP
*
Well, I am concerned that there could be a problem with the HD. *Do you know of any software you could recommend that would allow me to run some diagnostics on the hard drive? *
In the meantime, I have used Microsoft's SyncToy to backup all my personal files and folders to my external hard drive.
*
Originally Posted by Pedah
how mush data are you talking about? if it's less than 2 Gb i still have some invites to an online storage solution that's in beta, called DropBox that you could try and see if it suits your needs! Then there are upgrades that you can subscribe to :)
there's also an add on for firefox called GSpace, that lets you use your unused Gmail space for online storage!
I have heard good things about DropBox, so would welcome a personal invite...another online storage solution that might be what I am looking for. *Thanks.
*
Thanks for the link....I'll look into Jungle Disk too.
*
Originally Posted by Frenchy
Hi Julie,
*
Sorry to hear this, strange behavior as nothing can be traced. I support users at work and in this situation, if the data is not in the Recycle Bin, I would assume if you are the only person using the PC that the folders were moved to another folder by mistake thus not being found. I know that you are an experience user and may have done a search for the files and folders. If not do so. If you had any storage devices attached to your PC lately (iPod, CD or DVD formatted where you can just drop files to it, memory card, camera, portable drive) I would reconnect them ans search there. It is a long shot but who knows it maybe just there.
*
Also you can use native windows if you are running XP or Vista to recover your drive the way it was earlier in the week or month if this function was activated.
Frenchy, I am the only one who uses this computer and had been working with files in one of the folders just a few hours before the folders turned up missing (these are my teaching/student files and folders)...In fact, that particular folder was not removed and a few files remained in it, but lots of other subfolders and files were removed...it appears that the files that were not deleted were ones that I was actively working on and had been open on my desktop at the time.
I have accidentally moved sub-folders into other folders on the computer so that was one of the first things I checked and I did perform some searches and did not find any of the missing folders or files.
There is an external hard drive connected to the computer and I looked there too for those folders, but they were not there either. *I can't remember for sure if I had any other external devices attached to the computer, but I will check all the devices and SD cards that I have used recently with the computer and see if I find anything...(a smidgen of hope) I had been working with a new 4GB SD card that day, so that will be the first thing I check...thanks for the suggestion.
Can you provide more information about the native windows recovery option you recommended? *Are you referring to the System Restore option? *I do have System Restore activated on my computer but I only think that works for system files and not personal files.
Luckily I had many of my teaching/student files backed up to my thumb drive and to my Office Live Workspace account...However, my recent tests and answer keys will have to be recreated (ugh!) since I am paranoid about storing those things on my thumb drive or online.
*
__________________ Julie | Microsoft MVP Mobile Devices | Mobility Site Moderator | Judge, Smartphone & Pocket PC Best Software Awards 2007 & 2008 | visit my blog: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Can you provide more information about the native windows recovery option you recommended? *Are you referring to the System Restore option? *I do have System Restore activated on my computer but I only think that works for system files and not personal files.
If you have activated the Backup and Restore Center inCOntrol Panel of WIndows Vista, you have an option to restore your files.
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If you get dead silence after breaking the speed of sound, would you be in the darkness after passing the speed of light?
Yes, I concur, though it will take a considerable amount of time to do a thorough scan, so you'd likely want to do an overnight (or longer!) run depending on hard drive size.
__________________ breley | Aximsite/Mobility Site Review Staff, Administrator | Judge, Smartphone & Pocket PC Best Software Awards 2008 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
You might like Handy Backup, easy, reliable, a good program.
I've been using Handy Backup 7-8 years, never failed.
Handy Backup has saved my buns many times!
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Losing files from your computer hard drive could be terrifying if the files are of great importance to you, professionally or personally. In such situations of data loss, it is required to use some special data recovery solutions.
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