URGENT computer help needed!

[Alysser]

We have alot of tech geeks on here, so I was hoping someone could help me out a bit with this. I turned on my computer this morning, a laptop sony Viao if that's even relevant and it said it was restoring C: Drive on my computer. Basically, I could've cried when I saw that because I know it means the entire damn thing. All my pictures, papers, EVERYTHING was wiped out. Is there way to get everything or even some of it back? I had a paper on here that I finished a long time ago but never got around to printing because I'm a dumb idiot I guess and now I lost it. It took me FOREVER to do it and there's no way with all the stuff I have coming up I'm going to be able to finish it by Tuesday. Please tell me there is a solution.

My dad, whose on vacation at the moment, would help but he obviously isn't here right now. He said if everything like the operating system and all that is there then it could possibly be there. If the paper is all I can get back, I'd be very pleased. I have the pics and such saved to disks and all that, so it's not a big deal. But I just need that paper!

Thanks for the help guys.

[Catty1]

Yes, there is a way to recover 'deleted' files. If you have a techy friend that would be the best way. However, a tech would have the software to retrieve the lost files.

I just wonder why your laptop went into Restore when you turned it on? That is really unusual.

Also, just a thought - Restore also means that the computer is restored to an earlier point in time, without harming files.

Do a Search, and type in the title or part of the title of your document. Search "computer". Maybe everything just got sent somewhere else in the computer.

I don't have to tell you to back up important documents...I know you are totally kicking yourself.

[Alysser]

Yes, there is a way to recover 'deleted' files. If you have a techy friend that would be the best way. However, a tech would have the software to retrieve the lost files.

I just wonder why your laptop went into Restore when you turned it on? That is really unusual.

Also, just a thought - Restore also means that the computer is restored to an earlier point in time, without harming files.

Do a Search, and type in the title or part of the title of your document. Search "computer". Maybe everything just got sent somewhere else in the computer.

I don't have to tell you to back up important documents...I know you are totally kicking yourself.

Yeah, that's what I don't understand either. Why would it 'restore' itself? My dad comes home today..I have 3 days to recover the paper..or re-do. I prefer the first option. It took me hours to do this stupid paper. I will definitely be searching the computer high and low for the files but I doubt I'll find anything. I really shouldn't be mad, because it really is my fault. I've never backed up any of my computers and you'd think I'd learn from that??

Aren't there programs that can recover lost files or something? I remember reading that somewhere, I think it was on here even.

[Freedom]

First thing: do NOT install any software and do NOT save any files, until after you get back what you need. Once the computer has dropped the address for a file, that "space" can now be used to save a file.

Next: is the paper in Windows? If so, did you have the "always create a backup" clicked? That will make it easier, perhaps.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827099

Beyond that, all I could find using Google suggests a techie will have the software you need to pull back the file.

Hope this helps!

[Hellow]

Actually, don't even start the computer. Leave it off.

There are no sure-fire ways of recovering lost data - it all depends upon how much the hard drive has been used, and how good the recoverer is.

There are programs out there that can help you, and there are also professional data recovery specialists. Pick one or the other, I can suggest for both.

[Marigold2]

I will try and help by fowarding this to my son who is an IT.
Just called him and he is on duty with the Navy till tonight. When I hear back I will let you know. Good luck.

[Alysser]

Actually, don't even start the computer. Leave it off.

There are no sure-fire ways of recovering lost data - it all depends upon how much the hard drive has been used, and how good the recoverer is.

There are programs out there that can help you, and there are also professional data recovery specialists. Pick one or the other, I can suggest for both.

Programs, preferably freeware.

Thank you guys, and Thank you Marigold for forwarding this to your son. I appreciate all the help. My dad should be getting home soon. I've restarted the paper, but hopefully I can get that one back as it was better.