Please help!

[SarahSeven]

One of our old PCs stopped working a couple of years ago.  It's a Compaq with Windows XP.  Somehow a new profile was created and all files are now missing from the folders.  I suspect they're hiding in the new profile (Compaq_owner.YOUR-8ABC512DA0).

 

I notice some other folk have ended up here for assistance, so I've downloaded the tools ready to work with you to try to recover my files.

 

I've attached the FRST scan log.  I now need help to create the fixlist file.

 

I'd very much appreciate any help you can provide.FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.
 
     
    
Before we start please read and note the following:

• Limit your internet access to posting here, some infections just wait to steal typed-in passwords.
• Please be patient. I know it is frustrating when your PC isn't working properly, but malware removal takes time.
• Don't run any scripts or tools on your own, unsupervised usage may cause more harm than good.
• Do not paste the logs in your posts, attachments make my work easier. There is a More reply options button, that gives you Upload Files option below which you can use to attach your reports. Always attach reports from all tools.
• Always execute my instructions in given order. If for some reason you cannot completely follow one instruction, inform me about that.
• Stay with me to the end, the absence of symptoms doesn't mean that your machine is fully operational.
• Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

I can't foresee everything, so if anything unexpected happens, please stop and inform me!
There are no silly questions. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt!
 
 
 
  Rules and policies
 
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
 
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
 
 
 
 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.
 
Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

[SarahSeven]

Thank yor helping.  Here's the additional file...Addition.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, this seems like a very old and outdated PC. 

 

Windows XP probably never updated and heavily updated. I do not recommend connecting this PC to internet at all, it is magnet for malware. Although it seems clean, I do not see active infection.

 

I am not sure I understood your issue, how and when this happened?

[SarahSeven]

Hello again

 

It's an old home computer, which iisn't connected to the internet, so I'm not worried about anything new.  I just want to see if I can retrieve the old files from it before getting rid of it.  I think the new profile hid the files back in 2012?  Am I in the right place for help to retrieve old files from it?

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Do you know where were your files located at?

[SarahSeven]

There's a profile named Compaq_Owner, where the files used to be, but they're now gone.

 

One of our old PCs stopped working a couple of years ago.  It's a Compaq with Windows XP.  Somehow a new profile was created and all files are now missing from the folders.  I suspect they're hiding in the new profile (Compaq_owner.YOUR-8ABC512DA0).

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

What do you mean by "hiding"? Can you access this new profile?

[SarahSeven]

No, it says I don't have access.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Look, I am trying to help you and I want to help you, but it seems you either don't have will or something else to do this. I am helping you here on forum, and I cannot see what is going on with your PC. Your answer consists of 5 words, that is just not enough. That being said, you'll have to be much more focused and to give me as much information as you can see. What would be good is screenshot, or exact message text.

 

I am here to assist, not to do everything for you, it is just not possible. Help me, help you. Can you do this?

[SarahSeven]

I've taken a screenshot of the directory and the error message I get when I try to access the profile, where I think the files are.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good.

To resolve this issue, you must turn off Simple File Sharing, and then take ownership of this folder:

1. Turn off Simple File Sharing:
   1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
   2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
   3. Under Advanced Settings, click to clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box, and then clickOK.
2. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message, if one appears.
4. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
5. In the Name list, click your user name, Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the Administrators group. 
   
   If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, click to select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
6. Click OK. 
   
   You may receive the following error message, where Folder is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of:
   You do not have permission to read the contents of directory Folder. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control? All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
7. Click Yes.
8. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and the folder contents.

[Naathim]

Due to the lack of feedback this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here. If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this thread with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread.

Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!