how do you restore windows 98

[auzzie]

Need to restore windows 98, backed up over a file i shouldn't.I desperately need this back.

[Whickerman]

Try 'system restore' option to a date you know the file was there last

[Kerplunk]

This will only change system files though not your work.

[Buenchico]

(AB doesn't want to accept this ost, so I'll try splitting it into 2 parts):

There is no way that you can restore or overlay Windows to recover deleted files.

When you delete a file (whether by using 'Delete' or by saving another file with the same name), the file is not actually erased from your hard drive. All that happens is that the space it occupies is marked up as available for re-use. If your PC has not already written another file to the same space on your hard drive it might still be possible to retrieve it. (Over-writing a file, by saving a later version, doesn't actually use the same space so, even if you've done this, it may still be possible to retrieve the file).

It's important to remember that your PC is constantly creating all sorts of temporary files as you use it. Any one of these could be written to the space which previously held your precious file, so it's extremely important that you don't do anything with your PC which is not absolutely necessary. (Assuming that you're reading this on the affected machine, do not turn it off or do anything at all with it (i.e. no games, no word-processing and no further web-browsing) -other than what follows - until after you've made an attempt to retrieve the file.

[Buenchico]

There are some things you can't avoid doing. The first one is to install some recovery software. Go here
http://www.download.com/PC-Inspector-File-Recovery/3000- 2248_4-10118664.html?tag=lst-0-1
and download the program. Then install and run it. This program will find ALL viable files on your PC and permit you to recover those which are not damaged beyond repair. Just keep your fingers crossed that the one you want is still there!

(You can improve your chances by installing the software on a separate hard drive - and so avoiding the possibility of the software being written to the space which currenty holds your file - but you'll either need a fair bit of PC knowledge or the services of a professional data recovery company [which could cost hundreds of pounds] ).

Good luck!

Chris

[peanut]

Buenchico,

ive downloaded this program to give it a try but i only see files from the recycle bin that have been deleted in the last few days. what am i doing wrong?

[peanut]

the recycle bin is not the only folder i see, its just the one i happen to be looking at.

[Buenchico]

Check the folder you in which the file was originally placed, e.g. 'My Documents' or 'My Pictures'. Also check the folder in which the relevant program sits e.g. check the folder which contains 'Word' or whichever program relates to the file. Lastly, check any folder labelled 'Temp' or 'Temporary'. If your file's not there then, regrettably, it's already been over-written and has gone for good. Sorry!

Chris