Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Deleted files

by 1999farfer Sep 1, 2005 2:04AM PDT

Dear Grif,

Boy, did I create a mess!! As you might remember, I was backing up folders and files before upgrading to XP2. I used Argentum and somewhere along the way I inadvertently deleted the ?crs xp documents? I created on D. I was able to recover the folders from the Recycle Bin, however could not find any Word or Excel files. I tried the advice I found on your site regarding deleting/restoring and still could not find the documents. I then tried various software and again I could not find any Word or Excel files.

I have a feeling that the Word and Excel files are gone forever!! However, I wanted to check with you before giving up completely. I think what confused me is that there are so many places for ?My Documents? in windows and I got in over my head??.who knows?the damage is done. (I must have been having a blonde moment?.ha!)

Even though it will take some time, I will be able to recreate some of the Word and Excel documents I need??..the others were just ?stuff? that I don?t really care about.

Now all I want to do is install XP2 and be done with it.

Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Connie

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Connie, If The Files Were In The Folders...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 1, 2005 2:21AM PDT

....and you "restored" the folders from the Recycle Bin, then the files should STILL be in those same folders in the same location. That's how XP works.

On the other hand, if you used a secondary program that "shreds" the files upon deletion, then the files are gone. If you really need them, you might consider using the free recovery tool at the link below or possibly contacting a professional Recovery company to attempt restoration of the files.

PC Inspector File Recovery for FAT32 and NTFS
http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Deleted Folders
by 1999farfer Sep 1, 2005 2:32AM PDT

Dear Grif,

I have all the folders. However, I saved Word and Excel files indiviually in the folder. It is the individual files (such as "Cost of Prescriptions.doc" that I cannot find. I guess I did not make that clear in my post. Does that make a difference in your advice?

Regards,
Connie

- Collapse -
Nope, No Difference
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 1, 2005 2:53AM PDT

On XP, IF you sent the entire folder which contains all the files, to the Recycle Bin, it will show up in the Recycle Bin as a single folder with a large size because it contains all the separate files. Restoring that folder will also restore all the files on the inside.

On the other hand, if you deleted each file, one by one, then deleted the folder, they would all show up separately in the Recycle Bin. In that case, if you restored the folder, ONLY the folder is placed back in it's original location.

It all depends on what was displayed in the Recycle Bin. If they were all separate and you only restored the folder, then everything else is gone that wasn't restored.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Back to Computer Newbies forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info