Delete-Recycle-Restore
The Question:
Why is it so hard for me to uncover hidden files, locate documents I’ve
misplaced, or recover photos that I might have accidently deleted? Yet…if a
criminal steals my computer, they can attain all my data and totally steal my
identity? Who are these bad-boys and why don’t they set up a
call center. I’m telling you, last week I needed help, and I would have dialed
1-800-computer hacker.
The
Back Story: Cory visited last month and literally took
hundreds of photos with his new fangled camera. However, my son was frustrated
with my PC’s ability to view and edit his photos. Cory wanted to download a
free program from Google called Picasa. This software could organize and edit
all of my digital photos. (After Cory’s
high-pressure sales line, it makes this momma wonder…if the boy has stock in
the company.)
Anyway, once the download was completed he revealed that Picasa could
take up a lot of room on my hard drive.
Because apparently, after you edit a photo in Picasa, the program dumps
the ‘original photo’ into a hidden file. (Oh
Great! Like I want that unedited photo of my huge-hinnie in a secret back-up
file.)
Last
week I started to agonize about disc space and spent four hours reviewing,
editing, and deleting file folders. Next, I attacked my cluttered picture
folders. I figured now that I have Picasa, I could get rid of my Windows Photo
Gallery and I promptly deleted it. Then for the last step, I went to my recycle
bin and empted it. (Lordy…it feels so
good to have a ‘spring-cleaned’ computer. Lovin’ it!)
With a little more time on my hands, I figure
I will go through all of my photos in my new Picasa program and group them into
albums.
I
open Picasa. Why is it empty? Where are all my pictures? OMG. What did I do? Thinking I was going to
hurl, I pop two antacids, grab the phone and speed-dial Cory.
“Cory I’m sick. Something is wrong with my computer. Picasa lost my
photos!”
Cory
says chuckling, “What did you do?”
Once I explained my spring-cleaning fever, he informs me that Picasa only
pulls photo’s to edit them, but it does not store them.” (I
swear he did not tell me that.)
Casually he says, “It’s okay Mom, just go to your recycle bin and get
them.” (The boy obviously does not
remember how good I am at spring-cleaning.
Please…of course I emptied the recycle bin!)
Mercifully, Cory says we can try to restore the system. Note: System Restore is a component of
the operating system that allows for the rolling back of system files, registry
keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of
malfunctioning or failure.
Cory
then proceeds to walk me step-by-step through the system restore and reboot
sequence. The bad news is…my photos are still gone, but the good news is…my
document file folders are still nice and neat.
The Moral:
Spring-cleaning is not a bad thing but before
you begin, back-up your files on a thumb drive. Otherwise, you may end up
paying $$$ to a computer tech to recover mislaid items. Then again, you never
know, maybe one day, we will have access to 1-800- computer hacker.
