For a while now, Erik has been using a laptop computer (on loan from his boss) to do all of his school and investment work. He thought this morning that we would have to return the computer so he asked me to put all of the files onto flash drives because he wanted them moved over onto our desktop computer. I quickly did this and went on with my day.
We got home from working at the laundromats at about 6pm tonight and Erik told me he no longer needed the files on the flash drives because his ex-boss is letting us keep the computer. I put one of the flash drives into the computer and pushed "delete". I put the second flash drive into the computer and pushed "delete" again. A split second later, I realized that I did not "copy" the files onto the flash drives, I "moved" them onto the flash drive. My heart stopped and for that second, it felt like the world came to an end. Everyone of the files that were originally on the laptop were now gone! What had I done?
Usually, my ability to do things very quickly works in my favor, but every now and then it stabs me in the back. After many calls to computer savvy friends and former co-workers we had recovered most of the files but all of the file names were jibberish. For hours we thought Erik was going to have to go through every file and rename it. Thankfully, I did one last search on the Internet for some better software and it worked. The files are back (with their names) so now he only has to put them into folders.
I am proud to say that Erik remained very calm throughout this disaster. Meanwhile, I cried (just like I always do) and told him repeatedly how sorry I was. From now on, I am going to do things a little slower so I don't make any more stupid mistakes; and for all of you out there that are speed demons as well, slow down!
P.S. If you ever delete a file off of a flash drive and you need it back, take a deep breath and download Recuva. You can thank me later.
4 comments:
I would have done the same thing. I would have deleted and then cried while frantically trying to fix my mistake. It's an honest mistake that can happen to anyone. Luckily you figured out how to fix it:)
That's why I don't like computers, but can't live without them. You were so smart in figuring out how to fix it! Now you can remember to back up your entire computer on to the external hard drive. That's why you have it. It eases a lot of panic!
I would have cried too! thankfully there are smart people in the world who can make it all better...!
Uhhh, you're not going to tell them that Recuva didn't really work and what a nightmare this has become?
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