Tragedy strikes C:\Documents and Settings\hisname

[bupkus]

My brother just called for help. McAfee Internet Security Suite 7.0 (I believe) popped up something about being expired. Ok, he goes to start Thunderbird 1.0.2 and it wants him to open a new account.??? We open C:\Documents and Settings\hisname and the only icon there is "Desktop".
This is very bad. I don't know what to do unless there is a way to unerase lost files. I used to know how back when Norton was a DOS program.
His OS is XP Pro and his cpu is an overclocked Celeron D from 2.4 to 3.6GHz. No system failure is involved. I mention the overclock only for completeness.
Is there a program to unerase? I have Norton Systemworks 2002 thru 2005 but don't recall such a program.

 

[montag451]

Getdataback
restore2000
spinrite6
recover4all

Just some of the millions of data recovery progs.
Make sure you don't defrag or write to the drive AT ALL until you have a chance to run one of these yoots.
Also, don't install to the drive you are trying to recover data from.
Might have to use the drive as a slave drive in the system you install the recovery software to.

 

[bupkus]

I downloaded Restore 2000 (the demo) to my pc. It may take some time to learn how to use it but if it works, it'll be worth it.

Is any one of those you listed above considered the best of breed?

 

[montag451]

They all do the same,
spinrite i would use if the hdd was on its way out.
the other 3 listed above are tried and tested - all work about the same, but i haven't done any tests on them though.

Maybe some others on the 'software - apps' forum might have some favourite sw - might be worth another post in that forum.

Although there is no harm in getting your data back this way, do bear in mind that someone browsing through the forums may know how to renew your account without all the hassle.
Just checkin - in Win Explorer, have you set it to show all files - even hidden/system files? If not, then you may be missing something important.
Also, check in other folders for your account data - might even be worth doing a search through the registry or doing some searches through Win Explorer for the user acct.

 

[bupkus]

All files already set for show. All folders and files except "Desktop" folder are gone. He insisted on running the Thunderbird wizard to re-create his email account. I assisted but with a warning that he could be overwriting his data files. I understand his urgency. My car alternater is dead so I'm homebound.

 

[montag451]

Hope your battery is charged up enough fella.

Anyway - ANY ideas why the account went walkabout?

 

[bupkus]

Knee jerk would say the overclock but it was too selective. Don't know.