Factory reset - where are my files?

[Guest]

I had KILLAV virus which managed to get some damage done even though Norton
detected it. I decided as everything was so slow even on boot up that I had
better do a factory reset - the PC reset software told me data files would
not be affected so I went ahead. Of course when it all booted up again I was
left with a new desktop with no sign of my orginal files. Previous system
restore points were of course also gone.

So gang..... any ideas on how to restore my original dektop/folders etc?

I did have files backed up a couple of months ago so it's not the end of the
world and I am prepared to use a file recovery programme but it would be so
much easier if I could just rediscover my old desktop.

I am using Windows XP SP2 on a Compaq presario 1440

 

[neil]

Hi,
Your desktop may be gone as that is not really considered to be personal
files. Your personal files would be stored under the "my documents" folder
which is usually in c:\documents and settings\"user name"\my documents. Now
you may be able to browse to this folder in explorer and pull the files back
to the current "my documents" folder. Even though the user name may be the
same this time as before the system may have the old user name as something
like c:\documents and settings\"computername\user name"\my documents. If you
are lucky the desktop may be under the original user as well.
This is assuming the factory reset program worked as it suggested.
best of luck
Neil

 

[Tony Meloche]

I had KILLAV virus which managed to get some damage done even though Norton
detected it. I decided as everything was so slow even on boot up that I had
better do a factory reset - the PC reset software told me data files would
not be affected so I went ahead. Of course when it all booted up again I was
left with a new desktop with no sign of my orginal files. Previous system
restore points were of course also gone.

So gang..... any ideas on how to restore my original dektop/folders etc?

I did have files backed up a couple of months ago so it's not the end of the
world and I am prepared to use a file recovery programme but it would be so
much easier if I could just rediscover my old desktop.

I am using Windows XP SP2 on a Compaq presario 1440

Well, don't give up hope yet, as I do not have, and have never had a
Compaq computer. But Compaq is an OEM like Dell (which I have) and Dell
also ships it's computers with a hidden partition on the HD that acts as
what you call a "reset". With Dells system, if you use that function,
it returns your computer to the state it was the day it left the
factory, before you unpacked it. Hence, any programs or files you added
from square one are gone - forever. That does NOT mean Compaq's reset
feature does that, though it sounds like that is what you are
describing. Still, you did say Compaq's software said your files would
not be affected, so keep the good thought - someone with more in-depth
knowledge may post yet. Consider what I wrote here as a "worst case"
scenario, and I hope that's not it - but the way you describe it . . .

Tony

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your thoughts.....

FYI

the default username is Compaq_user and when it reset it must have created a
new "compaq_user" so the old one appears lost in the ether. As I said i did
at least do a big back up a few months ago and I am currently using recovery
software to track down some of the more recent (and hopefully un corrupted
files) but it's a long slog.

 

[neil]

Hi,
Your desktop may be gone as that is not really considered to be personal
files. Your personal files would be stored under the "my documents" folder
which is usually in c:\documents and settings\"user name"\my documents. Now
you may be able to browse to this folder in explorer and pull the files back
to the current "my documents" folder. Even though the user name may be the
same this time as before the system may have the old user name as something
like c:\documents and settings\"computername\user name"\my documents. If you
are lucky the desktop may be under the original user as well.
This is assuming the factory reset program worked as it suggested.
best of luck
Neil