Music gone

[chris123]

delete the folder, empty the bin and defrag the drive

The only thing is i can't find the folder. It still exists but i can only see it (and the path) when running a virus check.

I will try the suggestions on this thread and report back.
Cheers guys.

[GoNz0]

open my computer, click tools on the toolbar and folder options, go to the view tab and make sure show hidden files and folders is ticked

[chris123]

open my computer, click tools on the toolbar and folder options, go to the view tab and make sure show hidden files and folders is ticked

That's done, still not there.

Ran chkdsk, absolutely fine.

Really odd.

[chris123]

Yeah but use common sense, obviously. I was referring to surface errors, etc. Besides, the mfr's diagnostic tools generally do little more than read and display SMART data. If the OP is unsure, post chkdsk results for advice. Also, what AV are you using? There is a possibility a rootkit could cause this so run a deep rootkit scan if possible. I was a little too quick to mention a replacement, but post what you can so we can find out what's wrong.

I'm using Avira.
How can i do this rootkit scan?

I'll post SMART data here.

[watercooled]

A rootkit scan should be an option in your AV suite. I haven't used Avira so I wouldn't know where to look, sorry. Try booting from a LiveCD and looking for your files that way in case they are there but hidden in explorer for some reason. I think this should also bypass rootkits.

[chris123]

I have actually managed to find my My Music folder. It was in the My Documents folder and has been reduced to a 0 byte file, with the title 'My Music.000'. The Type of File in Properties is a '000 File'.

I'm guessing this isn't good.
It is odd how the files are still taking up space, yet i can't get to them, and the folder is 0 bytes.

Have i lost it?

I am really struggling to work out this Live CD thing as well. Can anyone help?

[watercooled]

To boot from a LiveCD, you need to download the iso image and use CD burning software to 'create disc from iso image'. Then, you can reboot your computer with it in the drive. On the first screen during boot it shoudl say something like F12 boot options. Press the key next to boot options the setect boot from CD. When the OS loads, use the file manager to browse your folders and see what you find. If they are there, you can copy them to a flash drive or something and copy them back to your HDD when back in Windows (reboot system and take CD out of drive).

If you haven't already, run chkdsk: Start>Run>cmd then in the new window type chkdsk D: /R
It will either go ahead and run or it may ask you if it can unmount the drive, press y then hit enter. It will take some time so give it at least overnight. Wait for it to finish and check the results - post a screenshot here if you want. Your D: drive likely will not be able in explorer during or after the test. If it is available under My Computer, do not use the drive at all during the test.To get it back when the test has finished, reboot your PC.
Hope this helps

[IgorHW]

Windows will report 0bytes as folder size even if data is there but hidden or if you don't have permissions to read data in the folder.

You can try freeware recovery tool Recuva (www.recuva.com). Just in case that your files are not deleted but hidden in some way you can go into options and select "Scan for non-deleted files" on Actions tab.


Also you should know that system restore is not for backing up your multimedia files and if your files are deleted you shouldn't write anything on partition where your files used to be because it downgrades your chances of successful file recovery.

[chris123]

Cheers for all the replies guys. I ran recuva and saw the files again, it said not deleted. This was very confusing.
In the end i went into 'folder options' and un checked 'Hide protected operating system files'. They turned up on this path. A few are corrupted, but the majority are fine.
So i do finally have my music back.

Thank you for all the help.

ps. I managed to boot from the LiveCD, but never managed to find the browser. Got half-way there though!

[watercooled]

Glad you managed to get your music back. Remember to back up though