Missing files from pictures library

Randox1 · 19 Jul 2014

Hi,
A large number of files has disappeared from my computer and I can't find them anywhere:

I have a folder within the Pictures library entitled "To be printed" - it's where I dump all my photos from my phone initially before I sort through them to decide what to keep.

I had around 500 files in this folder (mostly JPEGS and a couple of MOV files). A few weeks ago I added 95 new photos to this folder. The next time I looked in the folder it was acting strangely. The new 95 photos didn't appear to be there and only the 500 or so old files were there. The files are arranged by day. When I clicked arrange by folder however the 95 new photos appeared and the other 500 disappeared - when arranged by day the folder told me I had 500 items in the folder and when I clicked arrange by folder I was told I had 95 files in the folder. I shut the computer down and the next time I logged on the folder only had the new 95 files and there was no sign of the 500 or so older files, no matter what I arrange the folder by. I've searched the whole computer for JPEG and MOV files and there is no sign anywhere.
Any ideas? I've hit a brick wall and can't think of anything else - the missing files are holiday pics and videos of my kids and I'd be gutted to lose them.
Thanks,
Steve

MilesAhead · 20 Jul 2014

Did you try opening a command prompt to that folder and doing dir command? As Groucho would say "This is the most ridiculous thing I eva' hoid." I don't recall hearing quite this problem ever.

MilesAhead · 20 Jul 2014

This sounds something like it:
Files mysteriously disappearing from drive ?? - Security - Windows 7

Randox1 · 31 Jul 2014

Hi,
Sorry for late reply - I've tried all that and still can't find my missing files. No similar problems since but I want my holiday pics/videos back!

Ztruker · 31 Jul 2014

What does tghe Library entry Pictures\To be printed resolve to?

It should be C:\Users\youraccountname\To be printed
Did you look there?

Randox1 · 31 Jul 2014

Yes I did - unfortunately it just shows the 95new pics - the hundreds of old ones and the MOV files aren't there. I've searched the entire c drive for them with no luck. I've also opened quicktime which I used previously to view some of the MOV files before they disappearednand although it has some of the MOV files in the history, when I try and open them I get an error message saying file isn't there

Slartybart · 31 Jul 2014

It sounds like you're looking in the Pictures Library.

The new 95 photos didn't appear to be there and only the 500 or so old files were there.

The files are arranged by day.

When I clicked arrange by folder however the 95 new photos appeared and the other 500 disappeared

- when arranged by day the folder told me I had 500 items in the folder and when I clicked
arrange by folder I was told I had 95 files in the folder.

Right click on the Pictures Library in the Explorer Navigation Pane
Select Properties

Post a screen shot of the window showing Library Locations:
See: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Randox1 · 01 Aug 2014

Screen shot as requested.

Slartybart · 01 Aug 2014

Thanks,

Libraries are a bit odd when you change the arrange by, view, sort, and group.
It's easier to look in the actual folder when things go awry.

Take a look in each of the actual folders

C:\Users\Home\Pictures
C:\Users\Home\Pictures\To be printed
(might be My Pictures)

C:\Users\Home\Desktop
C:\Users\Home\Desktop\Video Converters

C:\Users\Public\Public Pictures

Are your files in the folders?

Note: To be printed has a different security setting (the lock icon). I'm not sure how you transfer the photos from your phone to the PC, some sync software might set security.

There's also an off chance that a sync program processes deletions as well as additions. I don't know if this is true for your setup. I don't think it is because you mentioned that changing the arrange by showed either the ~95 new pics or the 500 old pics. Then after a restart you couldn't get one set to display. This seems more like a Libraries display setting.

I had a similar experience with mp3 files and album covers when I first started using Win7 - now I just leave them as arrange by Folder.

Bill
.

Randox1 · 01 Aug 2014

Bill,

Thanks for that - unfortunately the files are not in any of those folders. I don't think they are anywhere on the C drive at the moment. I know one of the files was a video (MOV file) titled 204 - it is still showing in the recently viewed list in quicktime, although I can no longer open it from that list. I've done a full search of the C drive for 204.MOV but had no results.

Steve