Security Software [Urgent]Files and folder deleted & replaced with shortcut of them

T

themasterguy

Disciple
On my friend laptop (running windows vista), in DOCUMENT folder (in c drive on which vista is installed) some of her files/folders are deleted and some are replaced by their shortcut which when click gives error that file is removed or changed or in case of folders shortcut gives access denied error.

I searched on google for solution and found that running "[font=arial, sans-serif]attrib -r -a -s -h /s /d" (with respective drive written with the command) command will solve the issue but the problem is that everywhere it was written that people are facing this issue on their external drive while my friend is facing the issue on C drive itself. Even when she runs this command she gets access denied error (running as admin).[/font]

[font=arial, sans-serif]Cant format as files are important. So any guidance by you people will be good.[/font]

Thanks
 
From the shortcut symptom, it seems that the PC is infected.

What AV is she using? If doesn't have a good AV, i suggest download avast and install in safemode, next run a boot time scan. After that you will be able to use the attrib command effectively.

Alternately you can use a linux CD and recover the necessary files, next you can scan and repair the virus, or can format and re-install the OS
 
She used AVG (which showed no virus, trojan, etc) but the issue still remained so I installed kaspersky but even after full scan no issues were detected but the problem still remains. Dont know how to use linux (as havnt used it) to recover but will try. Any more suggestions?

Thanks
 
Get the ubuntu boot image from say ubuntu site, burn it to a CD and boot form it.

Its easy, just follow the steps and you will finally get a desktop like interface, Now open your drives and backup
 
Tried the ubuntu method but when I boot through it and access the drive, still the invisible (or deleted files) are not visible so I think it appears the files are permanently gone.

Many of the files shortcut remains (though they appears in different folders from where the files were actually located) but when I click on them, they give the same error - file moved or changed.

Thanks anyway, you people gave your time. If someone still has some trick left, do share.

Thanks
 
install kaspersky internet security.....the best one which i have experienced.....

whenever ne external device is attached...kaspersky will first scan the device and thus reduces the chance of pc gettin infected.
 
If the files are not visible in linux, then they're most probably gone!

About your first post- the command is not correct- its attrib *.* -s -h -r /s /d , (you can replace *.* by *.doc if only word files are to be recovered, nothing else). And run it in administrative mode, i.e., run cmd as an administrator. Although its not required but since files are on system drive, so it may require. May be that's why its giving access denied error.
 
themasterguy said:
She used AVG (which showed no virus, trojan, etc) but the issue still remained so I installed kaspersky but even after full scan no issues were detected but the problem still remains. Dont know how to use linux (as havnt used it) to recover but will try. Any more suggestions?

Thanks
Click to expand...

just download ubuntu from ubuntu website.. write it on a cd and boot from it live. its pretty easily actually.. you dont need to learn anything.. trust me.. once you have the cd ready, its not more than a half an hour job.. just boot from the cd, copy the files you need and you can even just delete the virus files if you can recognize them.. this will the best and most efficient solution rather than scanning your system and restoring and stuff.. .

avg is a crap antivirus.. if kaspersky didnt show any infection either (after updating) it shouldnt be a virus problem.. problems like these is the reason i have kept ubuntu to dual boot with windows on the side.. normal usage windows, any problem with windows, solve with ubuntu.. its the easiest and top rated open source linux distro.
 
run a antivirus with latest updates

even then the shortcut does n't change

right click the shortcut > properties > then type or paste the location of the shortcut and then the shortcut name

Eg: I:\Martin where the 'XYZ' shortcut location

Then right click XYZ > Properties> Then type in the "Target" or "start in" (not sure) the complete location with shortcut name I:\Martin\XYZ then press OK

now open the shortcut should open your lost files

hope this help
 
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