Can you give me help on a similar issue? http://www.pchelpforum.com/all-other...tml#post379458

I have had the same problem. I was in the middle of running disk cleanup when I got the message that windows was corrupted. The messages said to reinstall windows, and since I had the CD that came with the computer, I did just that. Well, if I was more experienced, I would have known better, so as you know, I lost everything. Nothing worked anymore. I did a search on the C drive for files and folders and there were over 17,000 items out there, but I couldn't get to any of them.

I have a paid support agreement with Dell, so I'm on the phone to them. Of course, the first thing out of their mouth was, "you should have called us first; it's too late now that you've reinstalled windows". Such good news. Well, I wouldn't take that as a final answer, as I had a backup on a flash drive, but when I ran the restore program, it looked like it worked, but I couldn't find any of my files. After days of working with Dell, they were able to get some of my documents off the backup, but they could not explain to me why, if I wiped out everything but the operating system, I still had so many files and folders left on the C drive. I think I may have more than 1 of some files.

All I can say is, I have a big mess on my hands and I don't know what to do. I've reinstalled some of my basic software, but it seems like everytime I turn around, I have problems. Now I can't get one of my printers to work. I've been tempted several times to give up and get a new computer. Is that the only option I've got?

Thanks.

Maureen

Hello Maureen,

I've relocated your post into its own thread in order for your issue to receive the personal attention that each member's issue deserves. Tagging onto someone else's issue can confuse the problems for the tech, the instructions to the end user - in general make a mess. It is best for each issue, each member to post individually.

If you're ready to give up and get a new system, then it sounds like you are ready to let go of any existing files on the original installation. Is this true? If so, we can walk you through a clean format & install of Windows. One that would get you back to just an operating system with the appropriate drivers awaiting installation of your applications.

File recovery may still be possible, but it could be involved.

Whatever level of recovery you wish to pursue - we are here to assist!

Thanks for the information about starting new threads. That helps a lot.

If I could get the data off the backup file on the flash drive to use to put on my computer after we do a clean format and install, I would be very happy. Do you think that is possible?

Thanks.
Maureen

You already have a backup file? Wow! You make life easy ;-)

Please tell me a bit more about the backup - how did you make it, and what files or folders are backed up.

Yes, I do believe that it will be possible - not only possible but much easier with your advance work in creating the backup

OK, it was made over a month ago using the Windows backup wizard available under Accessories/System Tools. I only backed up my Documents and Settings. I don't know what files it contains because I can't open it. If I double click it, it starts the backup/restore wizard. If I try to open it with Notepad or Word, it says it is too large. I have run the restore wizard several times, and it looks like it works, but I can't find any of my picture files afterwards.
I have it on an 8GB Toshiba flash drive. I've attached a picture of what the flash drive contents look like. The other folders on the flash drive were put there by Dell when they took control of my computer. The 4 individual driver files were put there by using my laptop to access the internet and get the drivers I needed for the reinstall of XP. However, the 2nd time Dell did the reinstall, the tech got a set of different drivers.
I'm so glad you are optimistic. That makes me feel much better. And today I got delivery of a 500GB portable hard drive. I'll try to get it installed before we start this process.
Thanks much.
Maureen

Maureen,

I can make no promises but that appears to be a 3.09 GB backup file on your flash drive. If you're willing to accept what you have on their as "your files to move forward with" then I would be happy to give you a hand returning the system to "factory fresh".

Another choice would be to remove the hard disk from the mucked up computer and "slave" it onto another system as a 2nd hard drive. You might be able to retrieve your files from the drive in that fashion. It's not difficult to give this method a chance and you might recover things that you would have lost otherwise.

Did you keep your pictures in the My Picture folder or did you perhaps use a differnt program to manage your pictures? If you used the My Pictures folder as a repository for your photos then it *should* have been backed up as a part of the Documents and Settings backup default using Windows backup. And yes, you are right - that file is only readable by the Windows Backup Restore program. Is a backup from 1 month ago current enough to move forward?

If we can make a current backup or copy of "My Pictures" and "My Music" and restore those instead of the files on the backup, then I would lose very little by going back to a month ago.

Thanks.
Maureen