Laptop hard drive wiped clean randomly

Hey everyone, I'm curious if any of you can help me with an issue I am dealing with. So earlier today my laptop was working perfectly, I was using it to do a PowerPoint presentation for my class. After it was done, I closed it and did not open until I got home later to work on homework. Except when I opened it, everything was gone. It looked like it was restored to factory setting, but had a plain black background.

So naturally I restarted my computer in hopes that would fix the problem, but it didn't. I am very worried cause I have a lot of music, files, and sentimental photos I do not want to lose. I do have a back up disc, but it's from 2011 so it does not have most of the files that i need back.

I am sorry for the lack of information, but I ain't that knowledgeable in computers. So if anyone can help and tell me what the possible reasons this happened and ways to fix it would be great!

Thanks everyone and if you need any questions answered, I'll try to ask them the best that I can.

Nleav said:

Hey everyone, I'm curious if any of you can help me with an issue I am dealing with. So earlier today my laptop was working perfectly, I was using it to do a PowerPoint presentation for my class. After it was done, I closed it and did not open until I got home later to work on homework. Except when I opened it, everything was gone. It looked like it was restored to factory setting, but had a plain black background.

So naturally I restarted my computer in hopes that would fix the problem, but it didn't. I am very worried cause I have a lot of music, files, and sentimental photos I do not want to lose. I do have a back up disc, but it's from 2011 so it does not have most of the files that i need back.

I am sorry for the lack of information, but I ain't that knowledgeable in computers. So if anyone can help and tell me what the possible reasons this happened and ways to fix it would be great!

Thanks everyone and if you need any questions answered, I'll try to ask them the best that I can.

You provided very little in your system specs. Is it a laptop or desktop? Have you checked Disk Management?

To open the Windows 7 disk manager do this:

1. Click on Start
2. Enter diskmgmt.msc into the search field

Post an image, see below;

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

Boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair. It should offer to automate System REstore, but if not and it fails run System Restore from the Options list.

If no OS shows up to repair, boot into BIOS setup to see if HD is detected and registers at all. If not try reinstalling the HD to see if it needs reseating, or replace it. If the HD registers test it with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

Other steps to try including methods to rescue your files are all provided in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start