OK so i blew up my computer today

[Kajira Callista]

and had to call Dell and they helped me get most of it back. But....but (insert quivery lip here) i lost ...or think i lost all my stories and ppls phone numbers and quotes...and all my damned pictures.
I have the computer separated into 4 parts so we all can have our own stuff in one place and no one elses stuff was missing, just a little hard to find. Does anyone know where (if it is still here) my stuff could be in the computer, or where to look?

 

[m wisdom]

There are speciall programs that can help you find the things you lost, but I'm afraid they are usally not too simple to use

 

[Kajira Callista]

There are speciall programs that can help you find the things you lost, but I'm afraid they are usally not too simple to use

*sigh*

 

[Kajira Callista]

 

[Gallant Man]

Can you tell us more about what happened?
How did Dell have you fix it?
You might have lost links from the desktop to folders but the folders could still be there. How are you with computers? Is this obvious to you?
It's hard to suggest what to do not knowing what happened.
There are programs such as Norton Disk Doctor that will try to fix a failing hard drive, but if it doesn't work it can make it impossible to use some of the more advanced programs.
I'm just guessing that it was your hard drive, need to know more.
Did Dell have you run a surface check?
Reading your post again I see you mention four parts, I take it you mean disk partitions?

 

[Kajira Callista]

Can you tell us more about what happened?
How did Dell have you fix it?
You might have lost links from the desktop to folders but the folders could still be there. How are you with computers? Is this obvious to you?
It's hard to suggest what to do not knowing what happened.
There are programs such as Norton Disk Doctor that will try to fix a failing hard drive, but if it doesn't work it can make it impossible to use some of the more advanced programs.
I'm just guessing that it was your hard drive, need to know more.
Did Dell have you run a surface check?
Reading your post again I see you mention four parts, I take it you mean disk partitions?

hmm it was a virus im sure. i shut down the computer and restarted and it said windows cant work because my system 32 files were missin or corrupt.
the dell man tried to do a system restore from the scary black and white place that the mouse doesnt work in. then had me backup files somehow from there and reinstalled windows over the one that was already there.
i have 4 user accounts set up on the computer, mine being the admin account and password protected. the other three accounts were wiped clean also but i was able to find their stuff (music, pics, favs, etc) i cant find mine anyplace. i cant get nortons to reinstall either, im using avg for now. dell had me do some sort of check. 1 section passed two others couldnt be identified or something.

 

[Gallant Man]

OK makes sense, a virus that probably deleted some system files. The advanced programs that I know of are intended for a failing hard drive. It's hard to say without being there on the system. Norton not installing is not a good sign these advanced viruses can be difficult to remove completely. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Kajira Callista]

OK makes sense, a virus that probably deleted some system files. The advanced programs that I know of are intended for a failing hard drive. It's hard to say without being there on the system. Norton not installing is not a good sign these advanced viruses can be difficult to remove completely. Sorry I can't be of more help.

thank you anyway.

 

[Gallant Man]

Your welcome, I just noticed that you say your old admin account was password protected, might have something to do with the fact that you reloaded the main admin account. I'm not an XP expert, don't like the OS much, you might try having a local expert look at it, or try the XP news groups. There are services that specialize in recovering lost data, but they're expensive.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Your welcome, I just noticed that you say your old admin account was password protected, might have something to do with the fact that you reloaded the main admin account. I'm not an XP expert, don't like the OS much, you might try having a local expert look at it, or try the XP news groups. There are services that specialize in recovering lost data, but they're expensive.

i think it has something to do with the password thing also. and the stuff that i lost is really not stuff i would want the local expert helping me find.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

hmm it was a virus im sure. i shut down the computer and restarted and it said windows cant work because my system 32 files were missin or corrupt.

Possible, but XP has two places from which to restore the system32 directory.

the dell man tried to do a system restore from the scary black and white place that the mouse doesnt work in.

It's called the DOS command prompt interface.

then had me backup files somehow from there and reinstalled windows over the one that was already there.

Dell puts an image partition on most of their machines. First problem with said image, if you bought the machine prior to the release of XP Service Pack 2 (and have since upgraded the operating system via Microsoft's Update) guess what isn't up to date? If you said system32, you get a cookie. Second problem, he apparently failed to ask you if had an up to date anti-virus program installed. In an emergency, you can run Norton from command prompt land to get at a virus that loads before the operating system. Your bonehead Dell technician did quite a few things in the incorrect order based on what you've said.

i have 4 user accounts set up on the computer, mine being the admin account and password protected. the other three accounts were wiped clean also but i was able to find their stuff (music, pics, favs, etc) i cant find mine anyplace. i cant get nortons to reinstall either, im using avg for now. dell had me do some sort of check. 1 section passed two others couldnt be identified or something.

Sounds like you found the "Documents and Settings" directory and the user accounts beneath said directory. All of that said and done, what exactly does Norton bitch about when it fails to install? Before you can go looking for "lost stuff," make sure you eradicate the virus so you have a stable system. Nothing pisses me off more than going on a hunt for lost files with a virus taking sniper shots at me in the process.

 

[Gallant Man]

Looks like your in good hands now. Hope we see a happy ending.
I Googled this, you might find some tricks but remember that the quality of the writers' information varies:
http://groups-beta.google.com/groups?q=XP+restore+recover+files&hl=en

 

[DVS]

i think it has something to do with the password thing also. and the stuff that i lost is really not stuff i would want the local expert helping me find.

Personally, I don't know a lot about XP, but with all older versions of Windows, unless you format the drive, it's sometimes possible to get to your old stuff, after you restore Windows.

But, if you kept this stuff within a Windows folder, meaning something that would be overwritten with a Windows restore, you might not have much luck. And, not knowing the name of the virus and what was damaged, that might not be an option for you.

If you had your stuff in a non Windows folder, the link from the Desktop is probably gone, with the restore. But, you might be able to get to this folder by using the scary black and white area (DOS command line).

If you gave the folder a long name (more than 11 characters in the "8.3 format"), it might not be the same name in the command line view. Depending on how your drive is formatted, the folder could have a shorter name, but it will still have a name close enough to the name you gave it.

If you know someone who isn't intimidated by the scary black and white DOS command line, you could get them to look around on the drive for that folder. Then, they could move it, copy it to a floppy or maybe even give you a link to it, from your desktop.

The four different areas you talked about could be disk partitions, but when you create different logins, that is sometimes considered the same thing by those who don't know what partitions are. If you're like my sister, when I ask her computer questions, her eyes glaze over and she gives me this blank stare. She then tells me she has a headache and she wants to lay down.

If your drive is partitioned, you will probably have a C drive, D drive, E drive, etc. Your stuff could be on one of those drives. If you login as Admin, you will surely have access to all of the computer, no matter who's files you're looking for and who was logged in when those files were created. Depending on the restore, even if the login no longer exists, the data files that login created could still be there. You just can't get to it, in the normal way.

Some restores go back to a pristine drive, before your stuff was there. Some restores go back to the last known good boot up. Depending on where your stuff was, when it was created and the type of restore done makes a big difference.

It's difficult to help someone in this situation, when you don't know exactly what the Dell guy did. Shit, the Dell guy might not know what he did, for sure. And, computer lingo isn't something that interests most people. Talking in a forum like this isn't easy to find the answers. Even talking about it over the phone would be easier, although it would be expensive, if your computer geek lives across the country.

Listen to AA. He seems OK, but maybe a little kinky. And maybe get someone local to look around on your drive for you. They don't have to view what's in the folder, just find it and give you a link to it, from the desktop. Then quickly smile at them, say "thank you very much", and they will surely be smitten and in heaven. Then, quickly change the subject to something else, like maybe the weather. You can go back and look at your files, later.

I hope you get your files back. I guess now isn't the time to yell at you for not having things backed up. Let me know when this crisis is over, then we'll take a trip to the wood shed for some serious talk.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Possible, but XP has two places from which to restore the system32 directory.It's called the DOS command prompt interface.Dell puts an image partition on most of their machines. First problem with said image, if you bought the machine prior to the release of XP Service Pack 2 (and have since upgraded the operating system via Microsoft's Update) guess what isn't up to date? If you said system32, you get a cookie. Second problem, he apparently failed to ask you if had an up to date anti-virus program installed. In an emergency, you can run Norton from command prompt land to get at a virus that loads before the operating system. Your bonehead Dell technician did quite a few things in the incorrect order based on what you've said.Sounds like you found the "Documents and Settings" directory and the user accounts beneath said directory. All of that said and done, what exactly does Norton bitch about when it fails to install? Before you can go looking for "lost stuff," make sure you eradicate the virus so you have a stable system. Nothing pisses me off more than going on a hunt for lost files with a virus taking sniper shots at me in the process.

This guy had a mildyl crappy attitude when i asked what else can we try so i shut up because i wanted my computer back. He never asked me about virus protection and i had no idea i could run it from DOS. He had me backup all the files befor i started the reinstall and the old Docs and settings is where i found everyone elses stuff. a little more flitting around and i see mine is there too, but i keep getting an error saying access denied when i try to move it into my current folder or open it. I caught the virus with AVG btw. It was in a system 32 file from the old install so i just deleted it.
I called this guy back twice and left messages and he hasnt returned my call as of yet.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Personally, I don't know a lot about XP, but with all older versions of Windows, unless you format the drive, it's sometimes possible to get to your old stuff, after you restore Windows.

But, if you kept this stuff within a Windows folder, meaning something that would be overwritten with a Windows restore, you might not have much luck. And, not knowing the name of the virus and what was damaged, that might not be an option for you.

If you had your stuff in a non Windows folder, the link from the Desktop is probably gone, with the restore. But, you might be able to get to this folder by using the scary black and white area (DOS command line).

If you gave the folder a long name (more than 11 characters in the "8.3 format"), it might not be the same name in the command line view. Depending on how your drive is formatted, the folder could have a shorter name, but it will still have a name close enough to the name you gave it.

If you know someone who isn't intimidated by the scary black and white DOS command line, you could get them to look around on the drive for that folder. Then, they could move it, copy it to a floppy or maybe even give you a link to it, from your desktop.

The four different areas you talked about could be disk partitions, but when you create different logins, that is sometimes considered the same thing by those who don't know what partitions are. If you're like my sister, when I ask her computer questions, her eyes glaze over and she gives me this blank stare. She then tells me she has a headache and she wants to lay down.

If your drive is partitioned, you will probably have a C drive, D drive, E drive, etc. Your stuff could be on one of those drives. If you login as Admin, you will surely have access to all of the computer, no matter who's files you're looking for and who was logged in when those files were created. Depending on the restore, even if the login no longer exists, the data files that login created could still be there. You just can't get to it, in the normal way.

Some restores go back to a pristine drive, before your stuff was there. Some restores go back to the last known good boot up. Depending on where your stuff was, when it was created and the type of restore done makes a big difference.

It's difficult to help someone in this situation, when you don't know exactly what the Dell guy did. Shit, the Dell guy might not know what he did, for sure. And, computer lingo isn't something that interests most people. Talking in a forum like this isn't easy to find the answers. Even talking about it over the phone would be easier, although it would be expensive, if your computer geek lives across the country.

Listen to AA. He seems OK, but maybe a little kinky. And maybe get someone local to look around on your drive for you. They don't have to view what's in the folder, just find it and give you a link to it, from the desktop. Then quickly smile at them, say "thank you very much", and they will surely be smitten and in heaven. Then, quickly change the subject to something else, like maybe the weather. You can go back and look at your files, later.

I hope you get your files back. I guess now isn't the time to yell at you for not having things backed up. Let me know when this crisis is over, then we'll take a trip to the wood shed for some serious talk.

He did make me change the name of the file that i saved the stuff in whe he had me back it up so it would be different . instead of c: windows (insert whatever the files were) he made me change it to plain ol c: windows1. Restore hasnt worked on this computer for a long time btw. And yes, i should have backed things up...i tell myself that if i dont wanna lose it i should have it someplace else, then never do it. If i get them all back i will do that so does that mean i get to stay in the shed an hour longer?

 

[Kajira Callista]

So here is the update. The dell guy tried to get me into my stuff by using safe mode and logging on as administrator and it didnt allow me in anyones stuff. Then he told me i could call their recovery support techs and pay them to get me my stuff. *sigh* so there is a way but i have no clue and no money to pay them.

 

[esclave_PP]

So here is the update. The dell guy tried to get me into my stuff by using safe mode and logging on as administrator and it didnt allow me in anyones stuff. Then he told me i could call their recovery support techs and pay them to get me my stuff. *sigh* so there is a way but i have no clue and no money to pay them.

Bastards. Bad Computer, bad computer. You should make it stand in the corner. I am so sorry you lost your stuff though

 

[jasonlf]

KC, if you're comfortable with it, call me and I'll walk you through whatcha need to do. I am a computer tech.

PM me if you wanna

--Jay

 

[Kajira Callista]

oh well back to square one. looks like my stuff is just gonna stay lost.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

He never asked me about virus protection ...

First indication of an idiot.

He had me backup all the files befor i started the reinstall ...

Even idiot's get lucky.

... and the old Docs and settings is where i found everyone elses stuff. a little more flitting around and i see mine is there too,

Good, we've got a place from which to work.

... but i keep getting an error saying access denied when i try to move it into my current folder or open it.

Which version of XP do you own, Home or Professional? If professional, did you encrypt the directories/files in your profile? Regardless, i think i know what the problem might be. If it's one thing, this should be interesting. If it's another, i need to know if the current account you use to login has administrative priviliges to the machine. When he had you create the new system32, did he do so by creating a new operating system, i.e. reinstall XP? If so, i've got a bullet with his name on it.

I caught the virus with AVG btw. It was in a system 32 file from the old install so i just deleted it.

The directory or the file?

I called this guy back twice and left messages and he hasnt returned my call as of yet.

Next sign of an idiot ... too busy unfucking his previous mistakes.

First thing's first. Tell me about the errors, verbatim, that Norton Anti-virus gives you when you try to install NAV under the account that now works. i'd prefer to see NAV give the files on the drive(s) a golden seal of approval before we try anything else.

 

[DVS]

oh well back to square one. looks like my stuff is just gonna stay lost.

Well, at least the Dell guy had the smarts to have you back up your present stuff. Renaming is an easy way to keep things from getting overwritten.

So, it wasn't a restore but a new intall of Windows? And when you say "stuff", what was it? What software was it created with, etc., and is that software installed on your present working system? If it's just data that you've created, it doesn't seem liikely you can't get to it, now.

 

[Kajira Callista]

First indication of an idiot.Even idiot's get lucky.Good, we've got a place from which to work.Which version of XP do you own, Home or Professional? If professional, did you encrypt the directories/files in your profile? Regardless, i think i know what the problem might be. If it's one thing, this should be interesting. If it's another, i need to know if the current account you use to login has administrative priviliges to the machine. When he had you create the new system32, did he do so by creating a new operating system, i.e. reinstall XP? If so, i've got a bullet with his name on it.The directory or the file?Next sign of an idiot ... too busy unfucking his previous mistakes.

First thing's first. Tell me about the errors, verbatim, that Norton Anti-virus gives you when you try to install NAV under the account that now works. i'd prefer to see NAV give the files on the drive(s) a golden seal of approval before we try anything else.

OK it's not only nortons, its my spyware blockers too.
nortons says it detects another version on my computer and cant install. the other things say files are missing.

I have the home edition. he told me we were reinstalling windows over the old one that wouldnt work. thing is when i was turning on the computer it was showing two windows, one just said windows xp one said microsoft windows xp. it was telling me to pick one. when he called back he walked me through fixing that and told me again that he had me reinstall over the windows that wasnt working.
the account i log into is the admin account and has a password. but something i dont get is that he made me boot in safe mode and there was my account and an administrator account i couldnt get into the files from the administrator account and that is when he told me i had to call recovery something or other and pay em to help me fix what he did wrong.


im trying to make sense here but im upset and not so great at explaining computer things.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Well, at least the Dell guy had the smarts to have you back up your present stuff. Renaming is an easy way to keep things from getting overwritten.

So, it wasn't a restore but a new intall of Windows? And when you say "stuff", what was it? What software was it created with, etc., and is that software installed on your present working system? If it's just data that you've created, it doesn't seem liikely you can't get to it, now.

docs and pictures and music etc. ya know, all the stuff that you like having there.

 

[au_man]

There is a fix...

and had to call Dell and they helped me get most of it back. But....but (insert quivery lip here) i lost ...or think i lost all my stories and ppls phone numbers and quotes...and all my damned pictures.
I have the computer separated into 4 parts so we all can have our own stuff in one place and no one elses stuff was missing, just a little hard to find. Does anyone know where (if it is still here) my stuff could be in the computer, or where to look?

I'm SO SORRY for the trouble, but a good computer tech can find everything that remains in you PC... I know because I had the same darn thing happen to me.

Mine was due to a power surge that fried the Windows ME operating system... He took my PC home, backed EVERYTHING up on another hard drive and then installed Windows XP as the new operating system and reinstalled everything.

It was a bit spendy, but I had hime do it again when I got this new PC... Even all my internet favorites!

X 12 too you...

 

[DVS]

OK it's not only nortons, its my spyware blockers too.
nortons says it detects another version on my computer and cant install. the other things say files are missing.

I have the home edition. he told me we were reinstalling windows over the old one that wouldnt work. thing is when i was turning on the computer it was showing two windows, one just said windows xp one said microsoft windows xp. it was telling me to pick one. when he called back he walked me through fixing that and told me again that he had me reinstall over the windows that wasnt working.
the account i log into is the admin account and has a password. but something i dont get is that he made me boot in safe mode and there was my account and an administrator account i couldnt get into the files from the administrator account and that is when he told me i had to call recovery something or other and pay em to help me fix what he did wrong.


im trying to make sense here but im upset and not so great at explaining computer things.

AA, would Norton see itself already installed from the old Windows and not want to install again? And, if she has a new pristine install, it seems there is still something either using something from the old install, or the virus is still there.

Was this an actual virus, KC, or do you think it could be malware? Some of that is pretty nasty, sometimes. If it's a virus, why didn't Norton find it?