I also have a Compaq Presario using XP and just went through the same thing.
You haven't actually lost the files and photos, they are "hidden". What I did was went to Start, then Search, and selected Pictures, Music, and Videos. Then I entered a common name Like Christmas (everyone has Christmas photos). The search revealed all my Christmas photos. I right clicked on one photo, then selected properties. I then copied the "Path". I opened MS explorer ( all your documents and files), then I entered the path of the lost photo into the address bar and hit enter. Not only did the photos come up, but all of my lost files.
Next, right click on each folder, select properties and you will see at the bottom it says "Read Only" and "Hidden". If the Hidden box is highlighted, click it to deselect the hidden option and your folders and files should be back.
Good Luck,
roy
After getting a virus on our computer, my husband inadvertantly hit F10, upon startup, and now it looks like the computer has been set back to factory settings. It is a Compaq Presario. It has Windows XP. Have I lost all my files? Is there anything I can do to get them back? I had some of my pictures backed up, but not all of them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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