Man, that's a bummer. I'm sorry you lost all of your data.

Well, really, it is just a thing, but you have every right to feel horrible about it. I don't think it's pathetic at all if you're feeling shitty. I know I would feel the same way you are if I'd lost photos, memories etc. It's like having part of your house burn down.

However, you will feel better soon. You'll save up some money and replace your computer. You'll feel better about the loss of your files. It's over; it's done; there's nothing you can do about it. You will feel better as time goes on.

Aw, muddgirl!! I'm so sorry! I lost over 100 G's of data a few years ago and was just sick about it. Here's to hoping you'll still be able to retrieve your data.

And keep us updated, eh? We'll miss you.

Shit, muddgirl.

None of the post-breakup advice works here, and I'm fresh out.

Basically, that really sucks. (But there's lots of other data in the world, and one day it will find you. Or something.)

Dayum, muddgirl, that hurts -- I know, I've been through similar, and watched numerous clients and cow orkers deal too.

There was this Malaysian girl when I was at Ernst & Young, she brought her computer in for a tweak, and somebody wiped her drive and reinstalled Windows. Oops. Big consulting project, she was the team production assistant. It wasn't me, but I had the job of telling her the bad news. Have you ever seen a Malaysian go white?

We'll keep a thread open for ya.

This is one of my great fears. My condolences.

Ouch, muddgirl, I'm sorry to hear it. Don't feel bad for being upset. Photos, docs, information, emails - all that is important stuff and there is no shame in being upset over losing it. I hope you get back online soon.

Don't give up on your data. Try it in new machine first. If that doesn't work don't despair.

If you have the cash try a data recovery service. If not try ebay.

If you can find another drive of the same model you can preform surgery on your drive and possibly get your data back. Sometimes swapping circuit boards will do it. Other times you might have to carefully open the case and actually move the platters.

There are tutorials out there...

Don't toss your drive....Don't do the home surgery unless you are sure you won't be using a data recovery service...You can always do it later when you have more money

*hug*

I'm sure there's nothing I can say that can lessen your pain, but you still have the memories, right?

And just to emphasise what srboisvert said: your data is still physically there, even if the drive doesn't work. Keep the drive.

Would it be crass to note that this reminded me once again why it's so important to back up everything? And often?

Yes? Apologies, then.

So sorry about your loss muddgirl.

If you like, I can put you in touch with my brother, who saved my laptop recently. He isn't any "geek squad" type either; he's actually nationally known for his security expertise (unfortunately one of the first lectures from him would be to keep photos, etc. burned on disks just in case of this type of catastrophe, too). It's also his job; he works for a company that sells banking and accounting software, two types who are WAY concerned about data safety and recovery. Anyway, he can work miracles in terms of data recovery (at least I thought so).

Now, you ask, why did he end up with a sister who is fairly clueless about computer-thingies? Because I love 19th British Lit and they didn't have computers back then!!!

Now is the time to buy a motorcycle. Trust me on this.

Plug that drive into somebody else's computer and see what's what before you despair.

The data is still good on the disk even if the rest of the drive is toast.

We do data recovery (not the clean room $2K stuff). Email's in the profile. No charge except shipping, 'cause you're a pal.

Take warbaby up on his offer! Very generous. I bet you the data's easily recovered. But check the hard drive to make sure it's actually broken.

Don't be embarassed that you're so upset. It's not just a "thing", it's all that data, which, however it's stored, is the type of thing that is very valuable to everyone.

Thanks so much, you guys. I have my own "geek squad" on hand, in case the drive is easily saveable. Thanks for the kind offer, warbaby, and I may take you up on that, depending on how tomorrow goes. After a good nights sleep, and all your support and encouragement, I really do feel much better. Look out for some "pick-me-up" music later.

PS. yes, I realized very recently that I should back up the stuff that means the most to me. It's hard to recognize the truly fragile and temporary nature of bits until they're inaccessible.

This reminds me that I really should go get that second external hard drive so I can back up. As should we all, people.

USB drive cases are about $40. Used drives smaller than 80Gb are commonly available cheap.

If your stuff is valuable, folks, automatic backups to a device not directly connected to your base machine are an absolute must. CD-R is cheap and easily done.

We burn backups of all work in progress and put them in the boss's truck every evening, as well as copying the entire server to a network drive. $0.15 is mighty little to spend for getting your precious data off site EVERY GODDAMN DAY.

Remember, the only real security is physical security.

This rant has been brought to you by someone who sees people in tears over lost data at least twice a month.