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c_brookhart
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January 7th, 2005 18:00
System Restore
I deleted three folders of images. Before deleting the folders, I copied and pasted the images into separate folders (i.e. folder 1 folder 2 and folder 3). I had two other CDs with images on them so I copied and pasted those images into folders 1 2 and 3 based on the type of images they were. This means that I now have all the images from the two CDs plus all the images from the deleted folders that are now combined into the folders 1 2 and 3. This might seem like a complicated explanation, but basically I am now wanting to get the original folders back that I deleted because I feel that there are some images that did not get copied.
I did a system restore going back 1 day, and expecting to have the folders that were deleted. Instead I found that system restore did nothing. I would like to know why system restore did not return the system back the way it was prior to the folders being deleted. When I had a program that I had deleted, I could use system restore and get the program back.
Are the folders permanently deleted at this point or is there a way to get them back?
- System Restore is for XP operating system files, not your personal files. It cannot bring back deleted personal files. Did you check the Recycle Bin? From Help: Restoring your computer does not affect or change your personal data files. It is a good idea to back up your data files periodically. For example, you might copy your data files to removable media, such as a writable compact disc, once a week
c_brookhart
59 Posts
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Posted January 7th, 2005 23:00
I found the files that I was looking for. I had them backed up on a CD but for some reason not all the files showed up the first time when I viewed the CD contents -- not sure how that happened. Does XP have a backup utility or is there a good program that will do a full system backup (personal data files as well)?You can easily restore deleted (personal) files (not programs!) by opening the Recycle Bin, clicking the file or folder you want to restore in the right pane and then "Restore this file" in the left pane. You'll find it back in its initial place.
As for a good backup program: Any ZIP drive, CD or DVD burning program would do it.
My advice (and personal way-of-doing-it) is to back up only
- Your personal files. That means things you cannot get back from anywhere else, like your pictures. If you make sure to store everything in "My documents", you'll have everything in one folder.
- Downloaded programs and drivers. Of course, you can download them again, but this takes time and is no fun. When downloading programs or drivers, I keep them in a separate folder, each in a subfolder neatly labeled with what it is. Just because after a month, you don't remember what xyz123.exe stands for....
- Your e-mail address book and messages (depending on the program you use, the way of doing this is different).
These are the items I burn on a DVD-RW on a (approx.) monthly basis (and before making important changes to my system). Uncompressed! I just make a data DVD. That takes more space, as backup programs store all the things you want in one single backup file by compressing the data. But the advantage of my uncompressed backup is that you can use the DVD to access your files from any other computer. Or you can transfer them to a new computer if the old one fails.
A real backup file is made to be restored to the same PC (or at least one with the same Operating System). You cannot access data on the CD or DVD unless you restore them to the computer. And I have serious doubts you could restore a backup from a Win 98 computer on an XP computer (but I may be wrong).
XP has such a compressing backup program if you prefer that method. It is included in XP Pro, but not in the default install of XP Home (search the forum for instructions how to install it if you have XP Home).
In XP Pro, point ot Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Backup.
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Posted January 7th, 2005 18:00