Solved: If your files are missing after a system restore...

Scott Kaelen · May 25, 2011

Today I was forced to do a system restore from BIOS, and afterwards, to my dismay, not only were 70Gb worth of video files missing, but more importantly my 'book' files were missing. All of my writing!

If the same has happened to you, don't fret, as there is an answer.

1. Navigate to the folder which used to contain your subfolders and files, ie. My Documents.

2. Right-click on the folder and choose 'restore previous version'.

3. The next window will give you a list of previous versions which you can restore from. In most cases you'll want to choose the latest version and click on 'restore'. If in doubt, choose 'copy' instead at this point and save a copy to your desktop to make sure it's got the content inside which you're looking for.

4. After you restore the previous version, it will override the current folder in which the files were missing. Open the folder up again and, voila, your precious writing material has returned!

This may have seemed obvious to many people, but I can tell you I was angry with myself and dismayed for a while until I rectified it.

I do keep a back-up of all my typing work on a stick, but with one thing and another I hadn't updated it in nearly a week. So yes, always keep an external back-up of all your writing work.

Well, I hope this has been a little help to at least one person.

Matera the Mad · May 25, 2011

Ever since I was forced to switch from Windows 95 to win98, I have been aware of the fragile nature of Windows' special folders. It is so easy for them to become invisible! Back when I lost my whole My-f*cking-Documents to a series of unfortunate incidents, I didn't have recovery software, didn't know about bootable CDs, and that "previous version" thing probably wasn't available and wouldn't have helped if it was.

That is why I never again used that place for storage. Ever since then, I've kept my files on a different drive partition. The Documents folder only has shortcuts to the good stuff. It is unfortunate -- from my disgruntled POV -- that automatic backup software assumes that we use it, but at least it does make backups on a different drive or drive partition easy for those who do trust Windows too much. And believe me, backups rule.

So does keeping a bootable CD handy. Slax Linux is my favorite tool for rescuing files. It works even in some cases of Master Boot Record corruption, where Windows can't even see the drive. Free (and small) to download, and easy to use.

ETA, OT: I think it is important to distinguish between several very different processes that are often referred to simply as "System Restore." The term "System Restore" (IMO) is properly used for the Windows feature that is accessible in Windows. I ass-u-me that this restoration through the BIOS used a hidden Restore partition to do some kind of repair install of Windows. Curse all sneaky manufacturers who are too cheap to include a disc.

PorterStarrByrd · May 25, 2011

Thanks for the info

However ..
I save everything I write in at least three places IMMEDIATELY when I finish for the session.
Hard drive crashes/'lost' storage devices are not as easy to recover from as this

dpaterso · May 25, 2011

ScottMc said:
1. Navigate to the folder which used to contain your subfolders and files, ie. My Documents.

2. Right-click on the folder and choose 'restore previous version'.

Alas I don't see that option! Pesky Windows with its different versions! I reckon you were fortunate to get your stuff back.

I use USB sticks, USB external drives, Dropbox, and emails to myself. The universe is hostile, take precautions!

-Derek

Margarita Skies · May 25, 2011

Informative thread!! Thanks!

Scott Kaelen · May 25, 2011

Matera the Mad said:
ETA, OT: I think it is important to distinguish between several very different processes that are often referred to simply as "System Restore." The term "System Restore" (IMO) is properly used for the Windows feature that is accessible in Windows. I ass-u-me that this restoration through the BIOS used a hidden Restore partition to do some kind of repair install of Windows. Curse all sneaky manufacturers who are too cheap to include a disc.

Good point. When I said I did a BIOS System Restore, what I should have said was that I:
1. Put my Windows 7 installation disc into the drive,
2. Restarted the machine and entered BIOS (Delete key).
3. In BIOS I entered CMOS, ensured the machine would boot from the CDROM next time, and hit F10 to save.
4. On restart, the next screen after the loading screen that lets you enter BIOS is a black screen which says something along the lines of 'press any key to boot from CD'. This loads the installation disc.
4. On the disc you have choices to 'repair' a drive. One of the choices is System Restore.

I hope that's cleared things up. You're right, there are too many guises of system restore!

Matera the Mad · May 25, 2011

OK, so you actually did a restore install from a CD -- clarification is good! Especially for readers who have never been any where near there or done anything like that.

AmericaMadeMe · May 25, 2011

Matera the Mad said:
Ever since I was forced to switch from Windows 95 to win98, I have been aware of the fragile nature of Windows' special folders. It is so easy for them to become invisible! Back when I lost my whole My-f*cking-Documents to a series of unfortunate incidents, I didn't have recovery software, didn't know about bootable CDs, and that "previous version" thing probably wasn't available and wouldn't have helped if it was.

That is why I never again used that place for storage. Ever since then, I've kept my files on a different drive partition. The Documents folder only has shortcuts to the good stuff. It is unfortunate -- from my disgruntled POV -- that automatic backup software assumes that we use it, but at least it does make backups on a different drive or drive partition easy for those who do trust Windows too much. And believe me, backups rule.

So does keeping a bootable CD handy. Slax Linux is my favorite tool for rescuing files. It works even in some cases of Master Boot Record corruption, where Windows can't even see the drive. Free (and small) to download, and easy to use.

ETA, OT: I think it is important to distinguish between several very different processes that are often referred to simply as "System Restore." The term "System Restore" (IMO) is properly used for the Windows feature that is accessible in Windows. I ass-u-me that this restoration through the BIOS used a hidden Restore partition to do some kind of repair install of Windows. Curse all sneaky manufacturers who are too cheap to include a disc.

Windows 98 hasn't been supported by Microsoft since 2006, so it's not advisable to use an unsupported OS on any computer that you still use online. I'd advise you to stop using Windows 98, unless it's solely for an offline machine. If you're already using a Linux distro for data recovery, you'd be better off using a Linux distro full time. No need for data recovery is the OS is up-to-date, secure and stable. In any case, I don't think that the horrible System Restore feature premiered until the successor of Windows 98, Windows ME, which incidentally, was far worse than 95 and 98.

AmericaMadeMe · May 25, 2011

For the record, I don't endorse the use of "System Restore" as the utility tends to take up HDD space and served to back-up malware. Yes, it's tempting to tech neophytes to look to system restore, but it's a false comfort. If you want to back up your malware, or feel your HDD is just too darned big, by all means keep "System Restore" on.

Margarita Skies · May 25, 2011

AmericaMadeMe said:
For the record, I don't endorse the use of "System Restore" as the utility tends to take up HDD space and served to back-up malware. Yes, it's tempting to tech neophytes to look to system restore, but it's a false comfort. If you want to back up your malware, or feel your HDD is just too darned big, by all means keep "System Restore" on.

I didn't know system restore was a bad thing. Thanks.

kuwisdelu · May 25, 2011

AmericaMadeMe said:
Windows 98 hasn't been supported by Microsoft since 2006, so it's not advisable to use an unsupported OS on any computer that you still use online. I'd advise you to stop using Windows 98, unless it's solely for an offline machine. If you're already using a Linux distro for data recovery, you'd be better off using a Linux distro full time. No need for data recovery is the OS is up-to-date, secure and stable. In any case, I don't think that the horrible System Restore feature premiered until the successor of Windows 98, Windows ME, which incidentally, was far worse than 95 and 98.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Matera meant the 95->98 switch was when he (she?) first learned this, not that Matera is still using Win 98. (Though I have heard of people who are...)

AmericaMadeMe said:
For the record, I don't endorse the use of "System Restore" as the utility tends to take up HDD space and served to back-up malware. Yes, it's tempting to tech neophytes to look to system restore, but it's a false comfort. If you want to back up your malware, or feel your HDD is just too darned big, by all means keep "System Restore" on.

Well, to be fair, most people these days, especially writers probably, probably do have far more HDD space than they know what to do with. At least if they bought their computer/HDD in the last couple years.

And on the other hand, I admit that despite being a big *nix geek, I have no idea when it comes to Windows or the world of the NT underbelly in general.

Magali said:
I didn't know system restore was a bad thing. Thanks.

It's not a "bad" thing. Just don't rely on it as your only hope.

Margarita Skies · May 25, 2011

kuwisdelu said:
It's not a "bad" thing. Just don't rely on it as your only hope.

Ok. Thanks for clarifying.

MoLoLu · May 26, 2011

For the record, I don't endorse the use of "System Restore" as the utility tends to take up HDD space and served to back-up malware. Yes, it's tempting to tech neophytes to look to system restore, but it's a false comfort. If you want to back up your malware, or feel your HDD is just too darned big, by all means keep "System Restore" on.

To elaborate on this, system restore/repair functionalities are not considered a true backup as they take place on the same hard drive as your operating system is installed. If the hard drive fails it's over.

I reccomend anyone who works on any computer to buy an external hard drive (500 GB USB drives are pretty cheap these days) and back up whatever you're working on to that on a regular basis (or whatever you've changed at the end of every day).

The chance that your computer and your external hard drive will fail at the same time are vastly smaller than the chance that your internal disk will fail or be erased or something and you loose all your data.

The added benefit of an external hard drive is that even for less tech-savvy people you can plug it in another computer and work on your files. USB sticks work too but aren't quite as reliable. I wouldn't reccomend them for long-term storage or backups.

And a final word: Back up your work!

I've seen so many people including myself frustrated over data loss (private and business) when the methods to prevent it are cheap and take only a minute ammount of time. As much as this may be common sense, I think it deserves saying another time in the hopes that it saves someone some pain in future.

Matera the Mad · May 26, 2011

Indeed, Windows' System Restore is definitely not a personal file backup. All it does that really matters is create a snapshot of Windows system settings. That can be a lifesaver when something fouls up said settings, an easy way out of some corner that you've gotten painted into. I've used it a few times, and I would never turn it off for my Windows partition. It can be cut back on its drive space usage -- but bear in mind that leaves you with fewer choices and less time to make them; you can't go back as many days.

Use it for what it's intended for, an emergency Windows repair, and back up your files on another drive. You may never need either, but if you don't have those safety nets you'll wish you did when shit happens and it's too late.

Margarita Skies · May 26, 2011

Very informative and interesting thread. I don't think I will turn off System restore in my computer either.

OpheliaRevived · May 26, 2011

My hard drive just crashed last night.. thank gawd i had it all backed up via SD card.

AmericaMadeMe · May 26, 2011

Matera the Mad said:
Indeed, Windows' System Restore is definitely not a personal file backup. All it does that really matters is create a snapshot of Windows system settings. That can be a lifesaver when something fouls up said settings, an easy way out of some corner that you've gotten painted into. I've used it a few times, and I would never turn it off for my Windows partition. It can be cut back on its drive space usage -- but bear in mind that leaves you with fewer choices and less time to make them; you can't go back as many days.

Use it for what it's intended for, an emergency Windows repair, and back up your files on another drive. You may never need either, but if you don't have those safety nets you'll wish you did when shit happens and it's too late.

System restore seemed to genuinely useful when it premiered in Windows ME, due to the perils of Windows 95/98. That was before the malware boom of the early 2000s. Basically, System Restore became an automatic backup utility for malware and the first step in removing malware always seemed to involve turning off system restore.

In the era of Vista/Windows 7, System Restore has become largely unnecessary. Novice users are well advised to turn off System Restore. I'm not going to go into detail as to why System Restore seemed like a good idea when it premiered in ME, since that would require a very tedious explanation as to why changes to registries and system files were so perilous in 95/98. Rest assured, those issues are long past us. The bottom line is that the system restore utility is of no real benefit to Vista/7 users and is only of marginal value of XP users. In short, for the inexperienced, System Restore is best turned OFF.

Solved: If your files are missing after a system restore...

Scott Kaelen

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

PorterStarrByrd

nutruring tomorrows criminals today

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Margarita Skies

Scott Kaelen

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

AmericaMadeMe

AmericaMadeMe

Margarita Skies

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Margarita Skies

MoLoLu

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Margarita Skies

OpheliaRevived

Real Men Have Gills

AmericaMadeMe