Last night I supposedly saved everything from this crummy computer (as back-up files) on two CD discs, as part of doing a co,mplete recoverry b ack to essentially a new out of the box com puter, which it seems to perform as/. After putting the various settings to where I had them, it works OK. But, I have been unabvle to transfer back the back-up off the discs. I got as far once as to see an image shopwing my pictures, buut it said the file is empty. I don't even know if I'm putting the disc in the drive correct side up. Could I have run the discs upsde down, and have saved nothing? Can anyone help? Thanks. Frank
I'm sure the tech-geniuses will laugh at this, but: if you can get your computer to cooperate, and depending on how many files you have, scoop 'em up into a .zip and upload the .zip to your own email. You won't have to be bothered with CDs, and they'll be accessible in your email from any computer. (if u have loads of pictures or documents, u might want to make a few .zips)
You did a Factory Reset it sounds like Frank. If that's true, it's possible some of those files may still be on your computer. Have you checked? For future reference, I have a 32 gigabyte flashdrive I back up my important documents to. I don't trust Discs because I have backed things up, checked the disc to make sure they are there, but then when I try to reload them they weren't. Here's one article on "possibly" recovering files even after a Factory Reset. I am too dingy/tired to help you tonight much Frank, but I think we might be able to recover your files. Let me know what you are running (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or maybe older like Vista??). https://www.powerdatarecovery.com/recover-deleted-files/recover-files-after-factory-reset.html
@Denise Happyfeet Well, I'd really love to see you in that "dingy" state! Windows 8. It offers "Restore", which takes the PC back to a date previous to the corruption. "Recovery" is evidently what you call "Factory reset". Restore would not go. Recovery did. PC now works, but all persoinal files, content are gone.
I believe we can get them back Frank, don't do anything to your computer until we can get together tomorrow Ok? I have some freeware for you to download all ready. You can read about it below. I will be online by 8 a.m. PST so let me know when you can meet me here at SOC and I'll give you instructions on getting your files back. I've used something similar on my camera which I deleted all my photos, and was as sure as you are I could never get them back once deleted. I got every, single one back so we will give it a try if you are willing, Denise Here is something about the Software I have lined up: "Free File Recovery" is a small and easy to use application that will help you to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted from your iPod, or by bugs, crashes and viruses! Read more at: https://tr.im/1fmV8
Ok, this is my last try @Frank Sanoica Hope you either already got your files back, or you will see this. MOST important thing is that you use the computer as little as possible. I know you'll have to login here to get the help, but don't use it for anything else. Here is a list of recovery tools (the DMDE Free Edition, or other free ones are what I would definitely choose) and maybe you can do this on your own. If not, I'll be around off and on, Denise http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/best-free-data-recovery-tools-1321723
@Denise Happyfeet Denise, I've clicked on the link 6 times. Each time it seems to open a page, then flags it with "Internet Explorer has Stopped Working". Then it flags "attempting to find problem", then a flag pointing to the header saying "Internet Explorer has Redirected you to techradar.com. Then the first flag re-appears. Keeps doing this over and over. I'm stuck. Frank
Sorry to hear of your problems Frank as I have lost files before. What I do now is I have a 2 terabyte external hard drive which I put all photos, videos, and doc files on once a month is quite worth the added cost anymore.
Ok Frank, go to this site www.majorgeeks.com. Tell me if you can get into that site. I wish you weren't using IE. Firefox is much better, but lets see if we can do it in IE.
It's been way too long since I've used a PC for me to be able to help. Besides, I lost a lot of stuff of my own while I was using a PC.
@Frank Sanoica will need to know how to download the tool @Ken Anderson Once that is done, it searches for the lost files. I'm not sure I can actually help him do it if there is something more wrong with his pc. Thing is, that's a good link and I can't figure why he couldn't get that open It might be best for Frank to take it to a pro and pay a few bucks (hopefully not too much) and ask him to rescue the files. I've rescued photos for my sister, but not tried it on mine, never ran into the issue. So I know it can be done: Here's one article on "why" they can be recovered: http://www.howtogeek.com/125521/htg...-can-be-recovered-and-how-you-can-prevent-it/
Didn't you use Google Chrome to save the files? If so, I believe you will have to use it to restore your files back to your PC.
I don't think it will matter which browser he uses, what he needs to do is download the program I've suggested and run that. He won't even be using a browser once he's downloaded the program. The program will do a search of his hdd (hard-drive) to recover the files. He can choose which files, like for say .jpg (photo) files, it will "just" search for those. You don't have to search the whole hard-drive. I don't know though, you may know something I don't Von. Did you read that somewhere? denise
@Denise Happyfeet, no I just thought since the message @Frank Sanoica noted mentioned Internet Explorer that maybe that might be part of the problem. @Frank Sanoica, have you tried anything else? Have you tried using Windows 'My Computer' to move some of the photos to your hard drive from one of the cds?