How to retrieve personal folders created in email folder list
I have previously created personal folders in the email directory & saved invoices etc. in it under company names. Our computer was recently repaired & everything had to be backed up & resaved onto it again. When we got it back there were no personal folders in the email directory any more. When I rang the company who fixed the computer, they said there were no folders saved, therefore none for them to retrieve & put back onto our computer. There are some very important files in these folders - Is there any way to find them?
Chosen solution
re: When I rang the company who fixed the computer, they said there were no folders saved,
As you do not say whay they were 'fixing', I'm not sure what they did to the computer. If they reinstalled the OS, then the computer was wiped clean and everything was deleted.
If they only backed up standard Windows folders then they would not have backed up anything any other program (not Windows) data, is stored in Appdata Roaming folders. Appdata folders are hidden by default, but the technicians should have known this, as it is standard.
It sounds like they did not backup your Thunderbird profile or any emails. I have come across 'technicians' who have no idea that non Windows applications store data in the Appdata folder. Hence why it is always a good idea to do all your backups yourself.
You could ask to see what files they backed up, but it is possible they have not kept that information. If they still have that information, then you need to look for any files saved in this directory: C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\
If they did not save your Profile and you have not kep a copy/backup of your own Profile, then you have a problem.
Therefore, the two questions you need to ask the people who fixed the computer are:
Q1: Did they completely wipe the computer and reinstall the OS?
If yes, then you know there is nothing hidden on the computer as it was wiped clean.
Q2: Can they supply a copy of all the folders and files they backed up? If yes, then you could look to see if they actually did backup this location: C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\ This would prove if they backed those files up and also if they did back them up whether they really were empty.
Q3: More specifically - Did they backup Appdata\Roaming folders?
If they failed to backup that location, then you have lost that information and may wish to take it further with them. I do not know what the contractual agreement was with them, but if they lost your data and they were supposed to have backed everything up, then you may have recourse.
I suggest you check the T's & C's to see if they do not accept any loss of data as this is something deemed as your responsibility. If they claim to backup all your files, then files and folders in that location should have been backed up. Then they could prove that those files and folders were empty.
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re : Our computer was recently repaired & everything had to be backed up & resaved onto it again.
Sounds like you had to have the OS reinstalled, which means the computer was wiped clean of all data.
Did you perform the backups or the people who 'fixed' your computer?
The people who 'fixed' the computer.
Chosen Solution
re: When I rang the company who fixed the computer, they said there were no folders saved,
As you do not say whay they were 'fixing', I'm not sure what they did to the computer. If they reinstalled the OS, then the computer was wiped clean and everything was deleted.
If they only backed up standard Windows folders then they would not have backed up anything any other program (not Windows) data, is stored in Appdata Roaming folders. Appdata folders are hidden by default, but the technicians should have known this, as it is standard.
It sounds like they did not backup your Thunderbird profile or any emails. I have come across 'technicians' who have no idea that non Windows applications store data in the Appdata folder. Hence why it is always a good idea to do all your backups yourself.
You could ask to see what files they backed up, but it is possible they have not kept that information. If they still have that information, then you need to look for any files saved in this directory: C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\
If they did not save your Profile and you have not kep a copy/backup of your own Profile, then you have a problem.
Therefore, the two questions you need to ask the people who fixed the computer are:
Q1: Did they completely wipe the computer and reinstall the OS?
If yes, then you know there is nothing hidden on the computer as it was wiped clean.
Q2: Can they supply a copy of all the folders and files they backed up? If yes, then you could look to see if they actually did backup this location: C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\ This would prove if they backed those files up and also if they did back them up whether they really were empty.
Q3: More specifically - Did they backup Appdata\Roaming folders?
If they failed to backup that location, then you have lost that information and may wish to take it further with them. I do not know what the contractual agreement was with them, but if they lost your data and they were supposed to have backed everything up, then you may have recourse.
I suggest you check the T's & C's to see if they do not accept any loss of data as this is something deemed as your responsibility. If they claim to backup all your files, then files and folders in that location should have been backed up. Then they could prove that those files and folders were empty.
Modified by Toad-Hall