Deleted admin account

[Steve]

To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst battleing with
a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe with the
system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not restore
documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way i can
get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.

Thanks

[S.Sengupta]

Once deleted, you cannot regain that user account. Programs will need to
be reinstalled. To try and retrieve your deleted files, you would want
to use an undelete utility.
This one here works quite well for basic file recovery:
http://www.collina.us/files/REST2514.htm

regards,
ssg MS-MVP
pronetworks.org


Steve wrote:
> To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst battleing with
> a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe with the
> system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not restore
> documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way i can
> get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
>
> Thanks
>
>

[Test User]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst battleing
with
> a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe with
the
> system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not
restore
> documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way i
can
> get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
>
> Thanks

What "restore files software" have you used?

Can you not log in as administrator?

If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of the
drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine running XP
and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the entire
contents of your drive.

This is best because installing and running recovery software on the drive
to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data you
need.

I used this with excellent results:
http://www.r-tt.com/
http://www.data-recovery-software.net/

Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to get the
version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.

Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your drive
installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in the log,
SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy the
registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log. Recovery will
take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.

HTH
-pk

[Steve]

software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com

All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what i'm
missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only seems to
have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.

I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a very
large file, can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
individual files from my documents folder?

Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?

Thanks for your responses!

"Test User" wrote:

> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
> > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst battleing
> with
> > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe with
> the
> > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not
> restore
> > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way i
> can
> > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> >
> > Thanks
>
> What "restore files software" have you used?
>
> Can you not log in as administrator?
>
> If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of the
> drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine running XP
> and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the entire
> contents of your drive.
>
> This is best because installing and running recovery software on the drive
> to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data you
> need.
>
> I used this with excellent results:
> http://www.r-tt.com/
> http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
>
> Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to get the
> version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
>
> Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your drive
> installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in the log,
> SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy the
> registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log. Recovery will
> take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
>

[Test User]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com

That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.

> All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what i'm
> missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only seems
to
> have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
>
> I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
very
> large file,

Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders can be
ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.

> can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> individual files from my documents folder?

Yes, it should.

> Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?

Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.

It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering - or
write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install your
drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
software.

Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick XP
install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents using
the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new drive.

HTH
-pk

>
> Thanks for your responses!
>
> "Test User" wrote:
>
> > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
battleing
> > with
> > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
with
> > the
> > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not
> > restore
> > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way
i
> > can
> > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> > What "restore files software" have you used?
> >
> > Can you not log in as administrator?
> >
> > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of the
> > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine running
XP
> > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
entire
> > contents of your drive.
> >
> > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
drive
> > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data you
> > need.
> >
> > I used this with excellent results:
> > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> >
> > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to get
the
> > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> >
> > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
drive
> > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in the
log,
> > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy the
> > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log. Recovery
will
> > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> >
> > HTH
> > -pk
> >
> >
> >

[Steve]

i have a rather large drive and partitioned it when i bought it, would i be
able to load xp again on the partitioned side, the D drive being NTFS as
opposed to the C drive being FAT32 system file?

"Test User" wrote:

>
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
> > software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com
>
> That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.
>
> > All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what i'm
> > missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only seems
> to
> > have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
> >
> > I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
> very
> > large file,
>
> Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders can be
> ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.
>
> > can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> > individual files from my documents folder?
>
> Yes, it should.
>
> > Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?
>
> Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
> NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.
>
> It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering - or
> write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install your
> drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
> software.
>
> Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick XP
> install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents using
> the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new drive.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
> >
> > Thanks for your responses!
> >
> > "Test User" wrote:
> >
> > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
> battleing
> > > with
> > > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
> with
> > > the
> > > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does not
> > > restore
> > > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any way
> i
> > > can
> > > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > >
> > > What "restore files software" have you used?
> > >
> > > Can you not log in as administrator?
> > >
> > > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of the
> > > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine running
> XP
> > > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
> entire
> > > contents of your drive.
> > >
> > > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
> drive
> > > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data you
> > > need.
> > >
> > > I used this with excellent results:
> > > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> > >
> > > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to get
> the
> > > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> > >
> > > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
> drive
> > > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in the
> log,
> > > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy the
> > > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log. Recovery
> will
> > > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> > >
> > > HTH
> > > -pk
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>

[Test User]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> i have a rather large drive and partitioned it when i bought it, would i
be
> able to load xp again on the partitioned side, the D drive being NTFS as
> opposed to the C drive being FAT32 system file?


Yes, that would work, except that you will still be writing to the C
partition, which carries risk. But in this case, using another partition
would likely serve the purpose.

Or, you could install a smaller drive, install XP on it and boot, and use
the D partition as the recovery destination. Or... use another XP system
as a host, and again use the current D as teh destination. It's best if
you try to write *nothing* to the damaged area.

HTH
-pk

>
> "Test User" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com
> >
> > That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.
> >
> > > All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what
i'm
> > > missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only
seems
> > to
> > > have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
> > >
> > > I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
> > very
> > > large file,
> >
> > Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders
can be
> > ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.
> >
> > > can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> > > individual files from my documents folder?
> >
> > Yes, it should.
> >
> > > Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?
> >
> > Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
> > NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.
> >
> > It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering -
or
> > write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install
your
> > drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
> > software.
> >
> > Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick
XP
> > install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents
using
> > the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new
drive.
> >
> > HTH
> > -pk
> >
> > >
> > > Thanks for your responses!
> > >
> > > "Test User" wrote:
> > >
> > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
> > battleing
> > > > with
> > > > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
> > with
> > > > the
> > > > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does
not
> > > > restore
> > > > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any
way
> > i
> > > > can
> > > > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > What "restore files software" have you used?
> > > >
> > > > Can you not log in as administrator?
> > > >
> > > > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of
the
> > > > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine
running
> > XP
> > > > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
> > entire
> > > > contents of your drive.
> > > >
> > > > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
> > drive
> > > > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data
you
> > > > need.
> > > >
> > > > I used this with excellent results:
> > > > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > > > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> > > >
> > > > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to
get
> > the
> > > > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> > > >
> > > > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
> > drive
> > > > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in
the
> > log,
> > > > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy
the
> > > > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log.
Recovery
> > will
> > > > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> > > >
> > > > HTH
> > > > -pk
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >

[Steve]

I shall try that distant friend!

Software - R-UNDELETE DEMO ?

I'll let you know how it's gone, hang on in there for me a couple of days!!!!


Steve

"Test User" wrote:

> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
> > i have a rather large drive and partitioned it when i bought it, would i
> be
> > able to load xp again on the partitioned side, the D drive being NTFS as
> > opposed to the C drive being FAT32 system file?
>
>
> Yes, that would work, except that you will still be writing to the C
> partition, which carries risk. But in this case, using another partition
> would likely serve the purpose.
>
> Or, you could install a smaller drive, install XP on it and boot, and use
> the D partition as the recovery destination. Or... use another XP system
> as a host, and again use the current D as teh destination. It's best if
> you try to write *nothing* to the damaged area.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
> >
> > "Test User" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com
> > >
> > > That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.
> > >
> > > > All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what
> i'm
> > > > missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only
> seems
> > > to
> > > > have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
> > > >
> > > > I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
> > > very
> > > > large file,
> > >
> > > Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders
> can be
> > > ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.
> > >
> > > > can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> > > > individual files from my documents folder?
> > >
> > > Yes, it should.
> > >
> > > > Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?
> > >
> > > Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
> > > NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.
> > >
> > > It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering -
> or
> > > write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install
> your
> > > drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
> > > software.
> > >
> > > Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick
> XP
> > > install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents
> using
> > > the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new
> drive.
> > >
> > > HTH
> > > -pk
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for your responses!
> > > >
> > > > "Test User" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > > ...
> > > > > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
> > > battleing
> > > > > with
> > > > > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
> > > with
> > > > > the
> > > > > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does
> not
> > > > > restore
> > > > > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any
> way
> > > i
> > > > > can
> > > > > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks
> > > > >
> > > > > What "restore files software" have you used?
> > > > >
> > > > > Can you not log in as administrator?
> > > > >
> > > > > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of
> the
> > > > > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine
> running
> > > XP
> > > > > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
> > > entire
> > > > > contents of your drive.
> > > > >
> > > > > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
> > > drive
> > > > > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data
> you
> > > > > need.
> > > > >
> > > > > I used this with excellent results:
> > > > > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > > > > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> > > > >
> > > > > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to
> get
> > > the
> > > > > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> > > > >
> > > > > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
> > > drive
> > > > > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in
> the
> > > log,
> > > > > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy
> the
> > > > > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log.
> Recovery
> > > will
> > > > > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> > > > >
> > > > > HTH
> > > > > -pk
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>

[Steve]

Hi Test User,

I've scanned the drive and looked through all the recovered renamed folders
but my documents are not there. The only thing that relates to my documents
are shortcut folder files for individual documents, not quite sure where
they've come from as there were no short cuts to files in the my documents
folder, although the location of these recovered files are from my documents.

My feelings now are that my documents folder cannot be recovered and i think
it's because the user account from inside windows explorer was deleted and
not the documents folder itself. I've read an artical on recovering user
accounts from the control panel but not from inside windows explorer itself.

Before i delete the D drive with the recovered files i'd be interested in
your thoughts?:-(

"Steve" wrote:

> I shall try that distant friend!
>
> Software - R-UNDELETE DEMO ?
>
> I'll let you know how it's gone, hang on in there for me a couple of days!!!!
>
>
> Steve
>
> "Test User" wrote:
>
> > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > i have a rather large drive and partitioned it when i bought it, would i
> > be
> > > able to load xp again on the partitioned side, the D drive being NTFS as
> > > opposed to the C drive being FAT32 system file?
> >
> >
> > Yes, that would work, except that you will still be writing to the C
> > partition, which carries risk. But in this case, using another partition
> > would likely serve the purpose.
> >
> > Or, you could install a smaller drive, install XP on it and boot, and use
> > the D partition as the recovery destination. Or... use another XP system
> > as a host, and again use the current D as teh destination. It's best if
> > you try to write *nothing* to the damaged area.
> >
> > HTH
> > -pk
> >
> > >
> > > "Test User" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com
> > > >
> > > > That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.
> > > >
> > > > > All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what
> > i'm
> > > > > missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only
> > seems
> > > > to
> > > > > have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
> > > > very
> > > > > large file,
> > > >
> > > > Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders
> > can be
> > > > ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.
> > > >
> > > > > can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> > > > > individual files from my documents folder?
> > > >
> > > > Yes, it should.
> > > >
> > > > > Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?
> > > >
> > > > Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
> > > > NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.
> > > >
> > > > It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering -
> > or
> > > > write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install
> > your
> > > > drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
> > > > software.
> > > >
> > > > Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick
> > XP
> > > > install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents
> > using
> > > > the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new
> > drive.
> > > >
> > > > HTH
> > > > -pk
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for your responses!
> > > > >
> > > > > "Test User" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > > > ...
> > > > > > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
> > > > battleing
> > > > > > with
> > > > > > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
> > > > with
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does
> > not
> > > > > > restore
> > > > > > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any
> > way
> > > > i
> > > > > > can
> > > > > > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What "restore files software" have you used?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Can you not log in as administrator?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of
> > the
> > > > > > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine
> > running
> > > > XP
> > > > > > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
> > > > entire
> > > > > > contents of your drive.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
> > > > drive
> > > > > > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data
> > you
> > > > > > need.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I used this with excellent results:
> > > > > > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > > > > > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to
> > get
> > > > the
> > > > > > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
> > > > drive
> > > > > > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in
> > the
> > > > log,
> > > > > > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy
> > the
> > > > > > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log.
> > Recovery
> > > > will
> > > > > > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > HTH
> > > > > > -pk
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >

[Steve]

Hi Test User,

I've scanned the drive and looked through all the recovered renamed folders
but my documents are not there. The only thing that relates to my documents
are shortcut folder files for individual documents, not quite sure where
they've come from as there were no short cuts to files in the my documents
folder, although the location of these recovered files are from my documents.

My feelings now are that my documents folder cannot be recovered and i think
it's because the user account from inside windows explorer was deleted and
not the documents folder itself. I've read an artical on recovering user
accounts from the control panel but not from inside windows explorer itself.

Before i delete the D drive with the recovered files i'd be interested in
your thoughts?:-(

"Steve" wrote:

> I shall try that distant friend!
>
> Software - R-UNDELETE DEMO ?
>
> I'll let you know how it's gone, hang on in there for me a couple of days!!!!
>
>
> Steve
>
> "Test User" wrote:
>
> > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > i have a rather large drive and partitioned it when i bought it, would i
> > be
> > > able to load xp again on the partitioned side, the D drive being NTFS as
> > > opposed to the C drive being FAT32 system file?
> >
> >
> > Yes, that would work, except that you will still be writing to the C
> > partition, which carries risk. But in this case, using another partition
> > would likely serve the purpose.
> >
> > Or, you could install a smaller drive, install XP on it and boot, and use
> > the D partition as the recovery destination. Or... use another XP system
> > as a host, and again use the current D as teh destination. It's best if
> > you try to write *nothing* to the damaged area.
> >
> > HTH
> > -pk
> >
> > >
> > > "Test User" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > software used http://www.recovermyfiles.com
> > > >
> > > > That's pretty much the same thing as I mentioned.
> > > >
> > > > > All the program files are intact with using the system restore, what
> > i'm
> > > > > missing is "My documents" is the software used any good as it only
> > seems
> > > > to
> > > > > have recovered what i have on the drive anyway.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm thinking my adim account deleted with all it's contents would be a
> > > > very
> > > > > large file,
> > > >
> > > > Actually, a *large number* of files and folders. Some large folders
> > can be
> > > > ignored entirely, such as any content.ie5 folders.
> > > >
> > > > > can the file be restored as a whole or would any software recover
> > > > > individual files from my documents folder?
> > > >
> > > > Yes, it should.
> > > >
> > > > > Can the file be restored using a floppy boot disc?
> > > >
> > > > Generally not. This is because your hard disk is probably formatted as
> > > > NTFS and boot diskettes generally cannot recognise this.
> > > >
> > > > It is really not a good idea to boot from the drive you are recovering -
> > or
> > > > write to the drive you are recoving. Instead, temporarily install
> > your
> > > > drive in another machine that has sufficient space and the recovery
> > > > software.
> > > >
> > > > Worst case, go get another drive; they aren't expensive, and do a quick
> > XP
> > > > install on it. Then install the old drive, recover the old documents
> > using
> > > > the recovery software and migrate them to the new folders on the new
> > drive.
> > > >
> > > > HTH
> > > > -pk
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for your responses!
> > > > >
> > > > > "Test User" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > "Steve" > wrote in message
> > > > > > ...
> > > > > > > To cut a long story short i've deleted my user account whilst
> > > > battleing
> > > > > > with
> > > > > > > a corrupt history folder thinking whatever happens i would be safe
> > > > with
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > system restore function, only to relise the restore function does
> > not
> > > > > > restore
> > > > > > > documents, my very precious "my documents" have gone, is there any
> > way
> > > > i
> > > > > > can
> > > > > > > get them back? I've tryed restore files software with no look.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What "restore files software" have you used?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Can you not log in as administrator?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If you have deleted major stuff, teh best bet is to do a recovery of
> > the
> > > > > > drive *as a secondary drive*. that is, attach it to a machine
> > running
> > > > XP
> > > > > > and recovery software and that has sufficient space to contain the
> > > > entire
> > > > > > contents of your drive.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This is best because installing and running recovery software on the
> > > > drive
> > > > > > to be recovered risks overwriting (and permanently losing) the data
> > you
> > > > > > need.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I used this with excellent results:
> > > > > > http://www.r-tt.com/
> > > > > > http://www.data-recovery-software.net/
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Note that unless you get the all-encompassing version, you need to
> > get
> > > > the
> > > > > > version that matches the disk formats (FAT, NTFS) that will be used.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Get the demo version and run it in teh manner described above (your
> > > > drive
> > > > > > installed in a host machine). If you see your documents listed in
> > the
> > > > log,
> > > > > > SAVE the log (since this can take a couple of hours to run), go buy
> > the
> > > > > > registration key and unlocked version, and then load the log.
> > Recovery
> > > > will
> > > > > > take some time but you won't have to rerun the scan.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > HTH
> > > > > > -pk
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >