Deleted folder!

[Les.]

This afternoon, Tamara was using her laptop (Lenovo running Linux Mint, latest and fully updated)

She opened her DOCUMENTS folder and spotted an “Unnamed” folder which she opened. An unimportant file from a while back, so (as far as I can deduce), she closed the file, then right clicked to Delete for the unnamed folder.

Net result, DOCUMENTS and everything therein have disappeared. Disaster, and of course no recent backup.

An online search shows a few confusing ways to recover a file, if you are lucky, but NOTHING whatsoever on undeleting a folder.

Help!

Les.

[Ed P]

It may well still be there but the gui has moved elsewhere. What is her OS? If Mint first try looking in the Trash can.

[Ed P]

If the Trash can does not work, then provided nothing else has been written to the drive you can run GParted (preferably from a USB stick, and in the Devices section use the data recovery option.

[Les.]

Ed, Latest version of Mint, cinnamon.

First place I looked was trash. No, she deleted it not “moved to trash” unfortunately.

Some files, including the one she (may have) opened showed in her “recent documents” list, but not accessible from there needless to say. I have a doom filled feeling about this one. If the sequence is as she has described it, I can not understand why the main Docs folder disappeared.

Les.

[Ed P]

Pretty obvious, but that last suggestion has to have the correct partition selected, and you may well have to unmount it before attempting a rescue. From memory you right-click on the correct partition and select umount.

[Les.]

Ed, I had not seen your second reply, and thought I had replied to it, but no sign now. I am just going to download GParted, my existing one was burned in 2013, so probably much changed by now. I will read up on it first.

Thanks, Les.

[Ed P]

GParted is scary but safe if used carefully. However, if you find using that  ‘nuclear’ option too daunting you could try the blast-from-the-past ‘Testdisk‘. Back in the days of people forever screwing up their Windows files (normally the registry had burped), Testdisk used to be a go-to for fixing things. Iirc Dave first pointed me in the direction of using Testdisk back in the old MM days.

However, when dealing with ‘lost’ files on a screwed-up disk, the number one lesson is write nothing to the disk, and do a full off-site backup first. I would use a Live Rescue CD/usb in order not to screw-up the master disk by installing it! Procedures are given here.

 

[Les.]

Late this morning I gave up on this.

I ran the laptop off a live Mint install disc, and tried various searches, using the Find command as suggested elsewhere, but with no luck. I installed “testdisk” onto the live install, but when I read the bumph it showed me, it suggested it was good for rescuing lost drives or partitions, with no mention of files or folders. I have since been told it DOES find files, but now too late. I have been assured GParted is ONLY for partions and drives, which tied in with what I could see when I booted my own PC with its disc.

Ext4magic had been suggested, but when I read up on it, I decided it was MANY levels above my pay grade. And scary, same as another prog (forget its name now).

I copied her old Documents folder onto her drive, and this afternoon she has been very quiet, redoing here accounts, oil delivery info etc.

Where problems will arise is various passwords which have been changed in recent months. Maybe a year ago, her daughter gave Tamara her iphone when she bought a new one. Apparently an ownership change was registered with Apple (if I understand correctly) and she is in a lather because that has gone. I wasted two days on it, back to normality now!

Les.

[Dave Rice]

Dropbox is your friend.

Here are 9 alternatives, all for free https://itsfoss.com/cloud-services-linux/

I enjoyed the TT coverage this year, apart from the deaths of course. I love what Dave Molyneux is doing with the KTM.

[Les.]

Dave, I don’t need dropbox, I just need a backup routine.

I have been so busy with the cottage extension everything else has been neglected, Cagiva, Gilera, New Imperial and particularly the Ducati Indiana.

My electrician has been unwell, so other than providing boxes, wire, conduit and lamps, I have not seen him. I did all the first fixing of electrics and plumbing. Assembled shower tray, shower side and door, fitted the plastic “marble” to the wall and took a brief rest whilst the plasterer did his stuff.

No time to breathe, never mind do computer maintenance. My Rayburn service is 6 weeks behind schedule, and I spent two hours in dentist’s chair today, so nothing done today.

Need to finish plastic “marble”, a day or more, then ready for second fix electrics and plumbing.

No rest for the wicked.

Regarding TT, those three sidecar deaths are worrying. One assumes they are taking off at Ago’s leap and flying to a bad destination.

Yes, Moly very impressive. I don’t put one or more wins beyond him in the future, if those accidents don’t finish it completely.

Les.

[Ed P]

Déjà Dup should fit your needs.

I do however tend to agree with Dave that an offsite backup in addition to a local  backup may be your best option. However if you do want to keep things local I’d recommend using a large USB stick and only attach it during your backup day/hour.

[Author]

Posts