My PC was hacked
- Thread starter BlueDimity
- Start date
Anonyouth, as previously stated, this sounds like a corrupted profile problem.
I’ll start with a few assumptions about your PC and see if I can point you in the right direction. First, I’m guessing you are using Windows XP. I’ll also assume you save your documents somewhere under the “My Documents” folder.
Given the above, open “My Computer” or “Window Explorer.” Double click or expand “Local Disk ( C: )” then “Documents and Settings.” Within the Documents and Settings folder you will see a list of all user profiles on the machine.
If your profile was corrupted you should see two, or more, profiles beginning with your username. Newer profiles are usually followed by and incrementing number as each successive profile is created. Therefore, begin with the profile having the lowest, or no, trailing number.
Double click or expand the profile. Among other things you should see the “My Documents” folder. Note, that it could also be named as “<username’s> Documents.” Double click or expand the folder and you will see all the files and subfolders within the profile. The above is also true for the “Desktop” folder if you had things saved on your desktop.
Good luck!
I’ll start with a few assumptions about your PC and see if I can point you in the right direction. First, I’m guessing you are using Windows XP. I’ll also assume you save your documents somewhere under the “My Documents” folder.
Given the above, open “My Computer” or “Window Explorer.” Double click or expand “Local Disk ( C: )” then “Documents and Settings.” Within the Documents and Settings folder you will see a list of all user profiles on the machine.
If your profile was corrupted you should see two, or more, profiles beginning with your username. Newer profiles are usually followed by and incrementing number as each successive profile is created. Therefore, begin with the profile having the lowest, or no, trailing number.
Double click or expand the profile. Among other things you should see the “My Documents” folder. Note, that it could also be named as “<username’s> Documents.” Double click or expand the folder and you will see all the files and subfolders within the profile. The above is also true for the “Desktop” folder if you had things saved on your desktop.
Good luck!
I don't know if anybody has said this yet, but if it turns out to be a case of files being deleted, and you want to recover those files, stop using the PC until you have some utility to recover those files.
When a file is deleted by dumping a file in the trash and emptying it or deleting it from a command line, the file itself isn't actually deleted. The name is removed from FAT, and the disk space is then freed up to be overwritten. As long as you don't overwrite the bits that make up the file, a utility can recover it. But if you overwrite it (which could happen by installing anything new, creating new files, even temp files from other apps), those utilities won't be able to recover the file.
When a file is deleted by dumping a file in the trash and emptying it or deleting it from a command line, the file itself isn't actually deleted. The name is removed from FAT, and the disk space is then freed up to be overwritten. As long as you don't overwrite the bits that make up the file, a utility can recover it. But if you overwrite it (which could happen by installing anything new, creating new files, even temp files from other apps), those utilities won't be able to recover the file.
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I never, ever, ever, ever, ever rely on the windwoes special folders for file storage. Once was enough for me. The only thing I keep voluntarily in that place is shortcuts to where the files really are.
Unfortunately, the only way to do that securely in a multi-user computer is to use an external storage drive. Not a bad idea in any case.
Unfortunately, the only way to do that securely in a multi-user computer is to use an external storage drive. Not a bad idea in any case.
I save my WIP once a day on multiple flash drives. The 2 gig ones only cost $6 at Wal-Mart. Also, it's a good idea to occasionally upload a copy of the WIP to a secure online folder (in case of a flood, fire, earthquake, or a pack of flash-drive-stealing monkeys storms through the house, et cetera).
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Yeah, I have 3 flash drives now, and 2 computers that all this is saved on.
Keep hoping. It might be retrievable.
Keep hoping. It might be retrievable.
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I feel better=)
And thank you Rose. I might need to take it in. I may be good at computers but not that good.
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Thank you all. And Yes, I did try pretty much that. Sadly it didn't work for me. I will try to have someone look at it.
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No one has suggested booting into Safe Mode yet. I hereby suggest it. Hold down the F8 key as soon as the boot process gets going. You will get a white-on-black ugly menu. Use the arrow keys to choose "Safe Mode" and hit Enter. If you don't get the menu and Windows boots normally, reboot and try again. You might be able to see something or do something. It's worth a try, doesn't cost anything, educational, something everyone should know how to do. 
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I'm glad you have that sensible ground-level knowledge at your fingertips. For many it is a "Huh? Do what?" Take a bow.
It is, of course, my pet opinion that everyone should also have a bootable CD with an alternative operating system, such as Slax Linux, for emergencies. Or just short vacations from Windows. Slax is very friendly, you don't have to be a geek to like it. There are times when Windows can't survive without Linux. I've experienced a few.
It is, of course, my pet opinion that everyone should also have a bootable CD with an alternative operating system, such as Slax Linux, for emergencies. Or just short vacations from Windows. Slax is very friendly, you don't have to be a geek to like it. There are times when Windows can't survive without Linux. I've experienced a few.
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