Halps!

[Simon.]

So I went and did a freaking stupid thing last night, and accidentally deleted pretty much everything on my computer. I had made two accounts for some reason, but only ever used the admin one. So I decided to delete my other user. Thinking that since I never used it, I wouldn't have any files on it. I clicked "do not copy over any files onto the other user/save them in any way you cocktard" like the cocktard I am. Unfortunately I happen to have unwittingly kept everything in THAT users folder. For some bizarre reason, I didn't link that with the user. So there goes everything. Also I had an amazingly shit night, as I had taken my computer up to a friends, to lan it with his new computer, and give him lots of things. Only to have everything deleted, not be able to connect to vista (as I have xp, and apparently there's only two ways to do it, which works for only 50% of the people that try it. And his internet was down, so we couldn't download the software needed) Not to mention the fact that I left things at my house, and his house after, that were necessary for the running of the computer (ie; cables, and a power board) and so had to make 2 trips each time.

As for recovering my data, I am a few steps into that, however I've hit a wall. I was recommended "stellar phoenix FAT & NTFS" for the recovery. So I downloaded that, and yes! There are all my deleted files, detected, and ready for it to restore, however I'm going to need to pay US $99 for the privilege. And if I can, I'd rather avoid that. My snag is that I can't seem to find a full version illegally to torrent or otherwise. I've found one or three, but they either don't work, are corrupted, or just hate me. So if anyone with any xxxtreme knowledge out there could maybe point me in the direction of a working version, or another free way to do this, I'd be most grateful!

Also, I suspect Twobuy might be the best to answer this question. Is there an easy way to network Vista and Xp? From what I read they use different networking systems/something. And if so, can you answer why microsoft would do such a fucking goddamn retarded thing? To force us all to upgrade to vista? Why can't they just make networking easy?

[TwoBuy]

EDIT: had to retype some of this that was deleted because I put parts inside angle brackets. Using curly brackets now.



Well there are some things to try with the network. XP and Vista should have no problems networking together; I do it ALL the time at work.

First thing to check would be that you both aren't running any personal firewalls (ZoneAlarm, BlackICE, etc.).

Second, make sure you both have similar IP addresses. If you are both connected to the same router with DHCP server this should do it for you. To check you can open a cmd (Windows Key + R, type in cmd then hit OK) window and type "ipconfig" and it will tell you your ip address. They should both be something like 192.168.0.X (note if the 3rd octet is something besides 0 that's ok too so long as they are the same on both computers).

Third, test connectivity. From a cmd window type "ping {friend's computer name}", and make sure all the packets are returned sucessfully.

Fourth, use an elevated command prompt for creating the network connection. Click start, then in the search box above the start button type in "cmd" when the icon of the command window appears, right-click on it and choose Run as administrator. From the elevated cmd window, type "net use * \\{friend's computer name}\c$ /u:{friend's computer name}\{friend's username}" and type in his password when prompted. This should mount a network drive that you can access from My Computer to copy files to/from.

Let me know if any of this helps or if you're getting hung up/don't understand a part of it.

[cheez.wiz]

Well there are some things to try with the network. XP and Vista should have no problems networking together; I do it ALL the time at work.

First thing to check would be that you both aren't running any personal firewalls (ZoneAlarm, BlackICE, etc.).

Second, make sure you both have similar IP addresses. If you are both connected to the same router with DHCP server this should do it for you. To check you can open a cmd (Windows Key + R, type in cmd then hit OK) window and type "ipconfig" and it will tell you your ip address. They should both be something like 192.168.0.X (note if the 3rd octet is something besides 0 that's ok too so long as they are the same on both computers).

Third, test connectivity. From a cmd window type "ping <friend>\c$ /u:<friend>" and type in his password when prompted. This should mount a network drive that you can access from My Computer to copy files to/from.

Let me know if any of this helps or if you're getting hung up/don't understand a part of it.

Twobuy to the rescue. You should wear a cape.

[Lethal Interjection]

Twobuy to the rescue. You should wear a cape.

Unlike the Cheez here, I would like you to wear the rest of the uniform as well.

[TwoBuy]

Unlike the Cheez here, I would like you to wear the rest of the uniform as well.

No deal.

[cheez.wiz]

Unlike the Cheez here, I would like you to wear the rest of the uniform as well.

No deal.

Then, you have 4 wallets to open. Wich will it be?

[mountainmage]

Whichever one is being held by the sexiest lady.

[TwoBuy]

Then, you have 4 wallets to open. Wich will it be?

Wallets! hahahaa. Foreigners talks funny.

[cheez.wiz]

Then, you have 4 wallets to open. Wich will it be?

Wallets! hahahaa. Foreigners talks funny.

You're the foreigner. At least from my point of view.
And briefcase. Sorry for my bad translation... Google offered Koffer.


Now, a cape brings joy.

[Simon.]

Thanks for that TwoBee, I'm not sure when the next attempted lan will be, but we'll give that a try. Oh and I've pretty much given up on getting my info back for free. SIGHS.

[TwoBuy]

Thanks for that TwoBee, I'm not sure when the next attempted lan will be, but we'll give that a try. Oh and I've pretty much given up on getting my info back for free. SIGHS.

Ok, well one thing to worry about with data recovery and undelete programs is that everytime you save something new on the computer, install a new program, or do anything else that adds data to the hard-drive it is likely that more of that data will disappear. The programs work by ignoring entries in the FAT/NTFS table and just looking at the info rawly on the disk and guessing where files are. Since that data isn't in the file-system table it doesn't know to save space for it, so if you start saving more stuff to your computer you could write it over the top of your old data.

[Simon.]

Ok, well one thing to worry about with data recovery and undelete programs is that everytime you save something new on the computer, install a new program, or do anything else that adds data to the hard-drive it is likely that more of that data will disappear. The programs work by ignoring entries in the FAT/NTFS table and just looking at the info rawly on the disk and guessing where files are. Since that data isn't in the file-system table it doesn't know to save space for it, so if you start saving more stuff to your computer you could write it over the top of your old data.

Yeah, I was holding off on doing pretty much anything on my computer after it happened for that reason, but now I'm not really bothered any more. I got myself another monitor to console myself also. Fuck two monitors is great.

[Lethal Interjection]

Fuck two monitors is great.

I need me some of that. I have a 19 inch widescreen now, so I can kind of do two things at once, but two monitors would make that oh so more awesome. Alas, I need to get a new computer before I can even do that, and my personal funds do not allow it in the forseeable future.

[TwoBuy]

Yes two monitors is great. However, I'd really like to have nine. I don't think windows supports that many though