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Links and Resources => Computer Forum => Topic started by: Dorine on March 30, 2017, 03:50:46 PM

Title: Windows updates
Post by: Dorine on March 30, 2017, 03:50:46 PM
I need a computer expert to help me. I am running windows 7. This morning when I turned it on it ran updates. When it finished and booted up I did not recognize a thing. All my documents, pictures, video's, several important programs all vanished. The folders were all empty. It got rid of my browser and gave me IE and Google Chrome. It kept my virus program and printer but it was starting me from scratch as if it was a brand new computer. 

I was sick because I lost my accounting program where I keep all my plant business records which represented hours of work. I was scared to do anything in case I made it worse. Finally I decided to do a system restore and it worked. But now I'm afraid to shut it down in case it does the same thing and then refuses to do another restore.

Does anyone have answers as to what happened and what I can do to prevent it from happening again. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. It reminded me of when you set it up with more than one user and each user can have what they want and others can not see it but that's not the case here.  There is only one user on this computer.
Title: Re: Windows updates
Post by: JimB on March 31, 2017, 05:39:13 AM
Dorine, this happens from time to time. It sounds like windows gave your a temporary profile. This happens sometimes on bootup when it decides it can't read the needed files for the profile.

Normally just a reboot should have fixed your problem. However, there other fixes for getting a temp profile. Right now they elude me since it's been so long since I've had to deal with this issue. If it happens again don't panic. Its a rare thing that data actually gets deleted.

Normally you can always browse to it from another profile and retrieve your old data even if the profile is corrupted.
Title: Re: Windows updates
Post by: Dorine on March 31, 2017, 06:55:03 AM
Thank you so much Jim. What a relief. I am now in the process of saving all my documents, pictures and video's to an external hard drive.

I tried backing up my whole system to the external HD. but the instructions were not clear enough and it kept backing up the whole system over and over and over and filled it in a few days. Now I use it as a USB. I know that's not as good and I would lose my programs but I have now set up my accounting program to save all data to the external drive.  We depend far too much on these computers. Thankfully I do keep paper copies of all my transactions.

I have a question you might be able to answer. Should I have my windows updates on automatic or manual? Every time I've had a serious problem with my computer it's after a windows update. Thanks again Jim.
Title: Re: Windows updates
Post by: JimB on March 31, 2017, 09:02:55 AM
I have a question you might be able to answer. Should I have my windows updates on automatic or manual? Every time I've had a serious problem with my computer it's after a windows update. Thanks again Jim.

Dorine, I'm guessing you 're still using Windows 7? If so I would not set them to automatic. Do them manually once every couple of months. Just make sure you have your data backed up before you proceed. Yes, updates are a pain and in some cases like you said they cause big issues. However, the updates do provide protection against the bad guys to some degree.

If you're running Windows 10 I don't think you have a choice. I believe they are forced on you and the only thing you can do is delay when they are installed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I don't wish to be giving out bad info.