Hi all,

Do you know where the old files locate after I upgraded to windows 8 CP? I cant find photos and music after installed windows 8 CP. How to get back photos and music that were wiped out windows consumer 8.

Thanks.

If you installed Win 8 CP the correct way, it will wipe out everything on the HD from the former OS. If you did not back things up, you are out of luck.

We have posted warning throughout these forums about backing up your PC and keeping your original OS and just installing Win 8 to a different HD or partition for testing this beta OS.

You could look in the C Drive and see if there is a folder called windows.old If so you might be in luck. You can open this folder and get your files there. If there is no windows.old folder you are out of luck.

Chomonee, it's imperative that you need to learn how to backup your computer. As well as how to properly store your important items that can be irreplaceable.

First off, a good backup program. You have 2 excellent Free choices. EaseUS Todo 4.5 & Macrium Reflect. I put Todo 4.5 first, because you can do file/folder backups with it, which usually isn't an option with free backup programs. Get it here.

Easeus Todo Backup Free - CNET Download.com (http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Todo-Backup-Free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html)

Macrium Reflect is also an excellent choice for disk imaging, it's one of the best free choices of it kind. It's also fast!

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download (http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx)

Make sure to create a bootable CD for the program that you install, w/o it, access to your backups are useless in many situations. Also, it's best to do a Full disk image at least once monthly. Data needs to be backed up more often. Whatever you do, DON'T store your backups on the same HDD that your OS is on. Invest in a decent backup drive, or if you're a somewhat skilled user, make your own. It takes more time to unpack everything than it takes to assemble the backup drive.

All that's needed is a "bare" HDD, preferably 1TB in size, often which can be found at Newegg.com. And either a USB HDD enclosure (the aluminum type) or a USB docking station. I have both, as well as a retail packaged backup drive.

Finally, where to store your items of importance. Certainly not on your "C" drive (where your OS resides). Create a Data partition, then create folders within the partition to organize items. Also, Flash drives are good for storing pictures/music, so are CD's & DVD's. You can right-click onto pictures & data items & send them to a USB Flash drive. Or a portable backup drive, which if large enough, can serve as your main backup drive.

If you don't want to lose these items, then you need to learn these things. Once learned, it's very simple.

Cat