Hello, I recently learned to use msconfig to tweak how my windows starts. After deselecting all the programs in the "startup" tab, I restarted my computer and found that I did not like the changes. So, after the reboot, I chose "Normal Startup" in the "General" tab. It ask me to restart again, so I did. Then, on the reboot, I was supprised to find that my desktop had changed and all my files were gone. After searching for a few minutes, I finally found my files deep in my harddrive. So I replaced all of my files to their original directories and everything was back to normal. Here's where it gets weird. I opened msconfig again and edited a few of the programs that I did not want to run when I start windows. I pressed OK and it said that I should restart my computer, so I did. When I started up again, I found that all of my files had been deleted. After searching for my files, I looked at my harddrive and saw that about 8 GB of it had been cleared. So I restored to the time after the first msconfig insident and got all of my shortcuts back, but noticed that everything in "My Documents" was gone, except for the sample files that came on my computer right out of the factory. My question is, is there any way to recover these files, or are they in a special place like last time and could you tell me where to look? Thank you for your help, this is very important to me.
SInce you changed directories from the first time and then you did a system restore on your PC, i bet its looking for your files in the original directory. Just an FYI, if you don't know what you are taking out of start up...do a search first as you may need them for your operating system to function.
Thank you for replying. But do you have a solution to my problem? Would a data recovery program be approriate in this situation? Thank you, any help is appreciated.
Why haven't your important files been backed up on another HD, DVDs or CDs? $hit happens on a pc all the time. Protect your valuable stuff, Back it up!
Would a data recovery program help in this particularly rare situation, since the files weren't deleted but are definately not accesable?
I've never experienced this problem so I have no idea if data recovery could help. Did you unhide all the folders and look? Did you try Windows horrible search engine to locate the file? You did say that 8gb is missing off you HDD. You might call some of the disc recovery experts explain your problem and see if they might be able to help or steer you there, especially if you need the files.
Use System Restore and point to a date before you tried any changes. Note: you could lose any information past that date. Back that up first before using SR.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have already done the search, shown hidden files, and restored back as far as I could which is not far at all because all of my restore points have been deleted along with everything else. So I guess I'll call some data recovery specialists. Thanks all, I'll let you know how it goes.
I fixed the problem! My files were deleted, but I got them back by connecting my laptop hard drive (the infected one) to another computer via a special cable. On the other computer, I installed GetDataBack, a data file recovery program, and a great one I might add. I then saved the files I found from my old hard drive to the other computer's hard drive. Then I transfered all my files back to my original hard drive. If anyone has a problem like this, I'll be glad to help.
There are plenty of safer alternatives to msconfig to control startup of apps,none of which get deleted..lol..which kinda makes me wonder why you pushed a delete button ok to get you started have a look at the link below,not sure i it's free or not but they are out there,if google can't locate one,google for majorgeeks freewarefiles pcworld download.com filehippo http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay&PHPSESSID=a54c6702e8feb1926bf96fa3f356d738 EDIT: In the meantime i'm gunna check out your recovery proggy,you can never have tooooo much software...lol..
If you want to restore startup programs than do so by going to the "Startup" tab and reselecting the programs you want. Do not select "Normal Startup" underneath the General Tab as this serves a completely different service than the "Startup" tab does.
If anyones wondering normal will startup all programs and drivers that have been deselected,so if there are proggys you still don't want to startup at boot PIAP's post is a way to do it
@PeaInAPod I didn't want to restore my startup programs. I wanted to restore my files that were deleted because I chose "Normal Startup". @All Thank you all for replying and giving me suggestions. You helped me out a lot. Thanks.
@ Francelab No need to reply to my post below is a link to a free for personal use recovery utility there are two versions installer.exe and a standalone non install,the 2nd is what would've been used in your case as attempting to recover deleted files by installing software can overwrite the files you want,since you've sorted it out you can run the installer or save disk space by creatng a folder inside doc's folder to hold utilitys http://www.undelete-plus.com/
