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General discussion

Trying to find old files after reinstalling windows...

Mar 7, 2004 5:25AM PST

I did a fresh reinstallation of windows XP and I need to find files that are hidden. I have about 15 gigs worth of music and I cannot access them. I know they're in there because the same amount of space is used up on the hard drive. The pie chart and "free space" are nearly the same as before I reinstalled windows.

Thanks,
Clint

Discussion is locked

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Re:Trying to find old files after reinstalling windows...
Mar 7, 2004 7:24AM PST

I assume you didn't format everything and the files are still there? One way to find them again is to open the Command Prompt and type:

DIR /S C:\*.MP3

That command would find all the mp3 files, for example, on your main hard drive.

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Re:Re:Trying to find old files after reinstalling windows...
Mar 7, 2004 12:30PM PST

Problem Solved. Thanks.

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what do you mean?
May 28, 2009 5:06PM PDT

i'm sorry, i don't understand. what is the Command Prompt? where can i find that? and if i want to find pictures and/or documents do i substitute "mp3" with another extension like "doc" for example?

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Re: commands prompt
May 28, 2009 8:01PM PDT

You're on the wrong forum. This is a hardware forum (see: PC Hardware) and you've got a software question.

Command Prompt is a choice in Start>Programs>Desktop Accessories. But there's no need to use it as you can use the search options in My Computer or Windows Explorer just as well. And, yes, searching for *.doc would find all Word documents.

Kees

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kind of worked
Jul 23, 2009 2:01PM PDT

it worked a little because it had found old mp3 files, but i was wondering if their was a command or a free download to find old songs. they were deleted, but i dont think they were deleted from the computer completley. please help me out!