Files and Folders Disappeared - Can I Restore Them?

[RVFmal]

I really hope that someone can help.

I recently copied all the files and folders from 2 smaller drives to a larger drive in preparation for using one of the smaller drives (8 Gig) for the OS.

All the files and folders were copied across correctly as I checked to see that they were all there. I then proceeded to delete the files and folders from the other 2 drives. (I did not copy short cuts to the folders as some of you may conclude).

I then defragged the drives. When I turned the computer on this morning all the Files and folders that I copied across were still on F:.

When I started the computer this afternoon they were gone! The strange thing is is that only the recently copied F & F's were gone and not those that had been there for some time! It is over 15 Gigs of info. How does this happen?? I did not delete them.

I am currently running Windows 98 SE so do not have the funtionality of XP to "roll back" any changes that may have been made.

As I understand it when windows deletes files and folders it cahnges an extension or something so that when something is written to the drive it copies over the "deleted" files. If I understand this correctly it means that all those files and folders should theoretically still be there. How do I retrieve them?

[Panama Red]

I'm editing your title as I'm sure you aren't advising members to Watch The Flintstones! Please refrain from vulgar acronyms.

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[RVFmal]

Sorry Red. Didn't mean to offend. Just a little frustrated. Will not happen again.

[GraemeM]

This probably isn't it, but when I thought I lost files, turned out a virus had made them all hidden files, make sure Windows is showing hidden files. That's probably not remotely close to your problem, but hey you never know.

[RVFmal]

Thanks Graeme, but I performed a virus scan and that came up negative. As for the hidden folders, it isn't that as when I copied the folders across when you clicked on properties for the drive it reflected the amount of space being utilised as just over 16 Gig. Now it reflects only just over 560Megs.

[glc]

Time for data recovery software I think.

Are you sure you are looking at the right drive?

[RVFmal]

Busy with that as we speak GLC. Have downloaded PC Inspector File Recovery. Seems to have found quite a few lost files and folders as it is and it has only searched 10% of the disk.

Hopefully it will be able to recover most of what was on the disk including downloaded Executable files for programs that I have downloaded in the past.

Will keep you guys updated as to how good the program is.