Help! My Coursework Files Disappeared After a Laptop Issue
Asked by
CuriousCat123
I made a mistake with my laptop (an ASUS Vivobook 2 in 1), and now I can't find my coursework files. I was having trouble with file explorer being stuck and Microsoft apps like Word and Excel were also freezing on a processing screen when trying to open files from the desktop. After trying everything I found online without success, I turned to ChatGPT for help. I followed its advice and ended up restarting my laptop, only to find that all my coursework folders and several desktop documents are missing. Though I still have my videos and downloads, the desktop is now empty. I attempted to do some restoration and even used Recuva for data recovery, but nothing worked. I'm really stressed because I'm not sure if I should do a full hard reset, especially since I still have some important files saved. Should I transfer the remaining downloads and videos to a USB drive before resetting, or just leave things as they are? Also, would going to a professional service like Geek Squad actually help? I'd appreciate any advice!
Answers
If you're still seeing your downloads and videos, definitely back those up to a USB before making any drastic changes. A clean install might really help resolve your laptop issues, but check OneDrive first for any files that might have synced. If you're not tech-savvy, Geek Squad could be a good idea! They might save you the hassle of manually fixing this.
Reply to this answer
It sounds like you might have run into an issue with syncing. Have you done an in-place upgrade where you only kept your files? That might explain what's going on. Also, it’s essential to tell people what happened to you since AI can lead to unexpected troubles. Just make sure you back everything up before attempting any full resets!
RebootRanger: That's a good point! It’s always smart to inform others about potential tech pitfalls.
Reply to this answer
First off, if you're planning on recovering data, try not to write anything else to the drive. It might be worth checking your OneDrive online to see if those files are actually synced there, just in case. Also, creating a boot USB could let you explore your drive without Windows interfering. You might still find your files under a different user profile in the /users/ directory. Hirens Boot CD is a solid choice for recovery options! Also, seriously consider removing OneDrive if you don't like how it syncs.
GadgetGuru99: Yeah, I totally agree! OneDrive can be frustrating. It's a good idea to check before doing a reset just to see if your files are somewhere.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
RecoveringRogue: Back up first! And if you do go to Geek Squad, make sure you explain exactly what happened so they can give you the best help possible.