Help - All my files have disappeared!

[runedog]

Hope someone can help please!

I just went to open one of the websites I update for a friend and I find all the files on my 2TB D drive have disappeared and the drive letter has been changed from D to J? I have tried system restore but to no avail.

The only thing I have done different was to backup the drive two days ago using Casper?

All input/help very much appreciated.

Graham

 

[mitchell65]

Hi Graham
Once this problem is resolved I would recommend that you give the drive a dedicated letter well up the alphabet like "X". If you leave Windows to give the drive a letter then if you put a card in the card reader or put another drive into a USB port that will alter the drive letter of the drive in question. Certainly if you are in the habit of creating an image of the drive or cloning it you should do this!
In the meantime lets try to get your files to show. I am assuming they are all data files , pictures music, videos etc?
Right click on the drive in "Computer" and then click "properties" How much space is used and how much is spare?

 

[runedog]

Thank you so much for getting back.

The drive shows 1.67TB of 1.81 free.

Thanks again
Graham

 

[Berton]

You can change the drive letter assignments in Computer Management, Disk Management for all drives EXCEPT the one the OS is installed in which is usually C:. As mentioned you can use any letter not already in use but starting with WinXP the assignment of NAS/Network Attached Storage drives start with Z: and work back up the alphabet. Also, if your Optical drive has changed to D: you may have to change that to a different letter if you want to free up D: as you say was previously used so you can use it again. Using Disk Management will also let you know if there's any data, good or bad, on the drive or partition on a drive. The hierchy of drives is the floppies at A: and B: [if used], OS/boot drive is C: and Optical drives follow that. A second HDD would be D: and Optical drive/s after that.

 

[runedog]

Hi Berton, thanks for your input. I have no problem changing drive letters its just the disappearing files I'm worried about.

Thank you again
Graham

 

[CarvedDuck]

I have no problem changing drive letters its just the disappearing files I'm worried about.

Before you do anything, get a copy of Recuva from the people that make CCleaner. Use that to see what may still be reclaimable from the drive.

 

[runedog]

Thank you CarvedDuck. I do have Recuva but should I hold-off using it until I hear back from Mitchel65?

 

[jumanji]

Hi first try to unhide the files.

Start >All Programs > Accessories > Command prompt

Type E: [ENTER] Replace E with the actual drive letter which you want to unhide

Once in that drive type attrib -s -h /s /d *.* [ENTER]

That should unhide all the files that must have been hidden most probably by a virus.

You also have to check your comp for any virus affliction and clean up.

 

[The Nude Dude]

Hi Graham
Once this problem is resolved I would recommend that you give the drive a dedicated letter well up the alphabet like "X". If you leave Windows to give the drive a letter then if you put a card in the card reader or put another drive into a USB port that will alter the drive letter of the drive in question. Certainly if you are in the habit of creating an image of the drive or cloning it you should do this!
In the meantime lets try to get your files to show. I am assuming they are all data files , pictures music, videos etc?
Right click on the drive in "Computer" and then click "properties" How much space is used and how much is spare?

if inserting a memory card into a card reader or a flash drive into a usb port changes the drive letters there is something wrong with the computer. unless you disconnect the one drive then insert the other media your drive letter will not change.

 

[runedog]

Thank you Jumanji, I did as you suggested but the only files showing are the same as on my C drive ???

The Nude Dude: I cannot think why there is anything wrong with the PC? I did connect an external USB drive for backup purposes but this is the first time this has happened!

Thanks guys
Graham

 

[runedog]

The drive that has changed letters and has the missing/wrong files is an internal drive. The drive I used for backup (now switched off) is an external drive.

Graham

 

[jumanji]

OK, runedog , let us see what is cooking.

Download and run your bit version of WinRAR . Navigate to your drive and check all the files are shown. (WinRAR can show you all the hidden and superhidden files)

Just see the screenshot here (only the screenshot.) http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...-denied-system-volume-info-2.html#post2527312 Click/double click on the drive ( whether internal or external or whatever) to be explored that is what it shows.

If you can see the folders/files in that drive, you can select, copy to clipboard (Ctrl+C)and then paste it (Ctrl+V) to any other location.

Please see the screenshot here http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...-showing-hidden-files-folder.html#post2683865

Time for me to retire and I hope you could understand what I had told in a hurry.

Tom I have got to go and renew my driving licence and so may not come back for another 16hours.

So may be others can help you.

 

[CarvedDuck]

Hi first try to unhide the files.

NOT good advice, but too late now. That Attrib command will change anything and everything in the FAT (File Allocation Table)

You should have run Recuva just to see what's there. It is never a good idea to start doing stuff until you understand what you have to work with. Always spend a lot of time just looking and understanding what you are working with.

Run Recuva and see what's there, then report back for more instructions. However, it may all be moot now.

 

[runedog]

I did run Recuva thank you but, did not find any of the files from when the drive was labelled D???

Thanks
Graham

 

[runedog]

Should I have three system reserved areas too? Please see screenshot. The disk labelled L: used to be my D: drive.

Hope this helps.

 

[jumanji]

Please post a screenshot of Windows Disk Management (without plugging in any external USB drives) i.e, the screenshot should show only your internal drives.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[jumanji]

Hi first try to unhide the files.

......... That Attrib command will change anything and everything in the FAT (File Allocation Table.......

Please do not make such a sweeping and meaningless statement. Will it do anything?!!!!!!!! Does it do everything?..... OMG! I am ready to relearn . Please explain what that anything and what that everything that it does and in what way it could impact the folders/files and make them irrecoverable because of the execution of that command.

 

[runedog]

Thank you Jumanji, here you go, here is the screenshot

Thanks
Graham

 

[jumanji]

Please follow the tutorial in toto and post the full screenshot showing the disk map also.

Your screenshot should appear like this:

 

[runedog]

Sorry, here you go

Many thanks
Graham