(no subject)

[astridv]

I followed some spectacularly bad advice from the internet when I was trying to delete two useless folders from my main file folder. Well, I now know that Windows means it when it advises against moving system files. Because I moved system files and then weird stuff happened, and when I tried to fix the weird stuff, I screwed up my Dokuments folder. I managed to save two important sub folders but data was lost (I don't even know how, my computer-savvy roommate said it's not supposed to happen like this).

Among the lost data is the certificate for submitting my taxes, so I have to go through the whole process again. Should at least be quicker the second time. But I'm mostly worried about the damage I may have done to Windows. It's still behaving not right but I hope the problem will stay contained within this one folder, I can work around that.

Sigh. So unnecessary.

Comments

[ratcreature]

Yikes. It sucks when computers do incomprehensible things. I still remember the last bad data loss Windows caused me, which was way back with Windows 97 messing up my whole hard disk's file system because for some incomprehensible reason it could not cope with the partitioning of my hard disk that I had done to have a dual boot system, but didn't give sensible errors or anything but just overwrote important stuff, messing up the main file table.

Not coincidentally that was the last time I ever used Windows on my home system, deciding then I ought to switch to Linux only, which for all the not-infrequent hassles (with hardware support or software I miss), at least so far hasn't actively tried to destroy things.

[astridv]

I'm using Windows 7, and it's the first hassle-free OS I've had. (Well, until today but that was totally my fault, in hindsight I mostly realize what I should have done differently.) I considered a clean-install since I've been running this OS for three years now and it wouldn't hurt to start fresh... but since I've had zero problems with this configuration, I decided against it.

Linux scares me. ;) I'm too mainstream for that.

[yhlee]

I'm so sorry you had computer troubles. :] Best wishes with the recovery and taxes and stuff.

[astridv]

Yeah, that tax key thingy was really unnecessary. That'll teach me not to make a backup. But anyway, it's replaceable and the computer seems to be running without hickups so far *knock on wood*. I'll sure know what not to try in the future.

[madripoor_rose]

Oh no! I hope it works out okay.

[astridv]

My main strategy for computer problems is to ignore them until they go away. Hope it'll work in this case too.

[madripoor_rose]

Heh.

It always seems like they pick the worst time, too. My antivirus wouldn't update and had corrupted files the last time I had a sinus infection. Nothing like being on the phone with tech support when you have a splitting headache and too stuffed up and nasally to talk properly.

[littleheaven]

Windows 7 has a repair function, which I believe you can run without having to do a complete restore. I'd recommend backing up and then running it. Good luck! I hate Windows, but 7 was the best out of a bad bunch. Don't upgrade to 8, whatever you do. I've never had to use System Restore so much in my life as since I did that. Just horrible.

[astridv]

Hm, I'll look into that repair function, thanks.
Yeah, I've heard enough about 8 to know I'm gonna stick with 7 for as long as possible. I'm really happy with 7. This data loss was due entirely to my stupidity.