Help, files have disappeared!

R

rb67

New Member
I'm in a sticky situation. I backed up my files onto CD (work files). Made a number of CDs.
I'm on dell inspiron 9300, w/ xp and did an upgrade to vista using an in place install. My understanding was that the programs AND files were to be carried over onto the new OS.All of my programs and applications stayed.
But my files...gone! can't find any of them.
And all but one of my CDs are good--except that for some reason the most important files are in an empty folder on one of the CDs, many months worth of work related documents- I must have messed it up when backing it up.
Is there anyway to find the files that vista was supposed to keep?
I picked up an external hard drive today when I realized how little space I had left but not soon enough to use it to back up before.
Thanks so much.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi, rb67, and welcome to the forums.

First off, are you familiar with Vista at all? Because the directory structure for Vista is quite different from XP and you might be looking for files in a directory that is in fact nothing but a junction to the real location, which, when you try to 'open' in Windows Explorer it gives you an error....
 

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Not familiar at all; in fact, I just know that when I try to open My documents that there is nothing there. When I try to open a file in word I try to open through documents, or look under desktop as there were several there, or even start in the C drive and work my way through the users and into my documents etc again without any luck.
It seems different but only marginally so; still seems fairly intuitive. But if I am not doing it correctly I would be happy as a clam to find my missing files!
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

Have you tried a search for ".doc", assuming Word document files and assuming you have not disabled the Vista search? I'm not sure where the files would now be located in this case, but if they're on the machine, then using the search feature to search for specific file types would let you know.
 

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System One

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    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
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    E8400
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    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
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    eVGA 8800 GTS
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    X-Fi XtremeGamer
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    Samsung 226BW
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    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
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    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
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    Lian Li Lancool K62
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    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
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    Logitech G5
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    2.5MB/430
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    D-Link DGL 4500
I also just tried using the windows search feature and searching my c drive. I tried it first, having it search my e drive, where I located the file I was searching for (one of the files I did manage to save), then repeated the process on C drive.
When I use my browsers, all of my bookmarks, etc are gone as well.
I am able to find that same document when I open up the E drive (my new external drive where I yesterday copied what I did correctly backup) in word, but not on the C drive. Unfortunately, it was the the disk with the documents that mattered that I screwed up.
I did a google search and came across an article on missing files with vista install and it suggested a windows file recovery (ouch).
The software they suggested (stellar) requires removing the harddrive, which is way beyond my abilities or that of anyone I know.
I found a program called Recover my files that will scan and if it finds, I can purchase for $60. (still an ouch as a single mom).
But it is showing over 20000 files so far, including .xls, .doc, .txt, .pdf., .ppt etc. (I lost my ppt presentations! Really bad!)
So where the heck are they???

Also found this on a website, did it this way, and same results:

"click on the start icon (which has also been changed to a big shiny button).
The start menu will appear. In the top right of the start menu is your username. Click on this to open the personal folders. Only administrators and the current user have access to each folder, so you do have some privacy if using vista at home, or a shared computer.
Windows Vista is organized to be very user friendly. For this reason, Vista applications are set up to automatically save files into the appropriate folders. Documents go into the documents folder. Videos go into the video folder. Images into the picture folder, and so on."
 
Last edited:

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System One

Update:
When I click on the result of this program as it goes through I see all of my documents coming up and showing in good status.
The location is showing C:\Users\Renee\Documents\Citizens United for example.
When I go into C drive I can make it all the way to documents, then I lose the trail. All there are is a folder of google widgets and single document that I created yesterday with my avg license number on it.
What am I doing wrong?
 

My Computer

System One

.ppt's are your Power Point presentation files; .doc are your Word files; xls are your Excel files; .txt are your Notepad or Wordpad files and .pdf are your Adobe reader files. That Windows found 20000 of them is good news. Now we just need to determine where you found them.

You should refine your search a bit. Do another search, this time an advanced search. Choose to search for documents, then further refine by searching for just .doc files. Find one of those .doc Word files you recongnize as being work related, then look at the location of that file. Once you know the location, navigate there. Where ever "there" is, should be where all your files are.
 

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System One

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    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
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    E8400
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    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
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    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
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    eVGA 8800 GTS
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    X-Fi XtremeGamer
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    Samsung 226BW
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    1680x1050
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    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
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    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
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    Lian Li Lancool K62
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    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
Some files may appear to be missing after you upgrade an earlier version of Windows to Windows Vista

The basic gist: Go to the Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, Folder Options. Select the View Tab and then check 'show hidden files and folders'.

Then see if your files are in any of these sub-folders:

•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$INPLACE.~TR\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$INPLACE.~TR\Machine\Data\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$WINDOWS.~Q\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$WINDOWS.~Q\Data\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
Yes, I'm familiar with the extensions.
I did the original search in advanced mode "xls" in e alone, then c alone, then everywhere.
This time I'm searching for an exact file name, yufi.html (all of the website files!) again in advanced mode, searching everywhere and enabled nonindexed, hidden and system files to slow down (I mean extend :) ) my search. Same results.
Oh, I am so frustrated (and worried).
 

My Computer

System One

Fumz said:
Some files may appear to be missing after you upgrade an earlier version of Windows to Windows Vista

The basic gist: Go to the Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, Folder Options. Select the View Tab and then check 'show hidden files and folders'.

Then see if your files are in any of these sub-folders:

•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$INPLACE.~TR\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$INPLACE.~TR\Machine\Data\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$WINDOWS.~Q\
•%SYSTEMDRIVE%\$WINDOWS.~Q\Data\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\
Click to expand...

Fumz,
The first part of this is easy enough. But how do I find these subfolders?
 

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System One

Let's just cross our fingers and hope you have not run a Disk Cleanup yet?

You can use the Disk Cleanup tool to permanently delete the folders that are discussed in the "Workaround" section. In Disk Cleanup, click to select Files discarded by Windows Upgrade in the Files to delete list.
Click to expand...

This pertains to my last post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
Not that I see, but I did find the subfolders. The system directory part through me off. They are at the top of my C drive dialog box.
I've don the tr subdirectory and found about 379 files--what a mess they were in, not in my nice little folders, just scattered all over the place.
Only a few thousand more to find....am hoping they are in the windows q subdirectory, looking there now.
 

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System One

rb67 said:
... I've don the tr subdirectory and found about 379 files--what a mess they were in, not in my nice little folders, just scattered all over the place.
Click to expand...
Earlier you said that a search produced 20,000 files; all being one manner or another of Microsoft Office files, right?

We need to get you back there, to re-produce those search results. It sounds like it's going to be tedius as all hell, but at least the files are there... scattered all around, yep... but still there.

Just trying to find a bright side in this...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary
    1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
It's showing 40k files but alot of them seem to be junk files that I have never seen. There are at least a couple hundred files but only a small fraction. However, the program takes about 8 hours to run and it's been 2 so far. Started it last night but apparently my computer restarted itself sometime during the night, cutting the process short, so I had to restart.
 

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System One

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