Vista - When Upgraded to Vista al files andprograms lost

OK so first I am running some stupid BIOS because I built my own computer. It
is the Award Workstaion from Phoenix something. Basically it just makes me
press F1 to start my computer now. Well when i first tried to uprgade I htink
this caused the problem. I then got on the phone for over 4 HOURS!!! and
finally I am running Vista. Well stupid me and stupid her the converstaion
had ended before I checked for files and programs. She conveniently told me
to check some websites that worked of course. I was reassured on the phone
about 100 times that I would have all of my files. I think we did a clean
install again and then upgrade again, possibly several times. It took over
four hours. Where are my files? Can I get them? I would be extremely
infuriated if I can't get these files. I have over one hundred school papers,
and all of my music. I really need this stuff back. Please help. Thanks in
advance.

To reiterate
Where are my files? Can I get them?

Hi, Cubby.

You left out some VERY important information: Did you reformat your hard
drive at any time in this process?

How many hard drives do you have? How are they partitioned? Were your
files and programs on the same partition as your operating system? Were
they backed up ANYWHERE?

And a few other such questions. You really haven't told us anything about
your computer except that it uses an Award BIOS - which my home-built
computer does, too. You didn't even tell us whether you upgraded (from
what?) or did a clean install.

We want to help you, but we can't if you don't give us some clues. You can
see your computer; we can't. All we know about it is what you tell us. So
far, that's not much.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Mail in Vista Ultimate x64)

"Cubby23" <Cubby23@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3557759A-08BA-4AB0-AFDA-D9D3C7748267@microsoft.com...
> OK so first I am running some stupid BIOS because I built my own computer.
> It
> is the Award Workstaion from Phoenix something. Basically it just makes me
> press F1 to start my computer now. Well when i first tried to uprgade I
> htink
> this caused the problem. I then got on the phone for over 4 HOURS!!! and
> finally I am running Vista. Well stupid me and stupid her the converstaion
> had ended before I checked for files and programs. She conveniently told
> me
> to check some websites that worked of course. I was reassured on the phone
> about 100 times that I would have all of my files. I think we did a clean
> install again and then upgrade again, possibly several times. It took over
> four hours. Where are my files? Can I get them? I would be extremely
> infuriated if I can't get these files. I have over one hundred school
> papers,
> and all of my music. I really need this stuff back. Please help. Thanks in
> advance.
>
> To reiterate
> Where are my files? Can I get them?

OK after calling back again and talking to a manager aswell they were sorry
to say all my info was lost, BUT could be recovered by a tech guy, they say
that the tech guys have some recovery disks.

Although the problem is kinda solved here are the specs and please still
give replies

AMD 64 bit 3200+ 2.0 Ghz
2GB RAM DDR single channel
Radeon X800 GTO 256 RAM
One hard drive Maxtor 250GB
When i had the problem they had me partitioned into 2 parts one w/ the
windows on it and one empty. I have since made it jsut a C drive w/ the total
250GB capacity.
I upgraded from XP home. She had me do all kinds of thing w/ the vista, but
i believe it was a install then another upgrade. In the end I had went
through the "installing" period of 40+ minutes 3 times.
Files were never backed up and before attempting to install again I aksked
again and again if it was necessary they said no no no.
My most wanted files were my music files of which i got most of which sent
from a friend to me now. We share all the CDs anyway. So after a 7hour AIM
transer i got my 1300 songs back.

I would love to hear more back form you guys. And why did I lose my stuff?
And despite how apologetic they sounded I couldn't talk them into giving me
the new Office 2007
Thanks and I hope this is enough info