BleepingComputer.com: External HD used as a backup, but the HD had files on it already, now they're gone

Have they been overwritten? Are they gone?

This HD was used to store my photography (I'm a photographer) and some videos. It's very, very important to me and I'm trying not to freak out just yet. I've never used a backup before so I don't know if it's there and wrapped up or not. The files were on HD and I used the same HD to backup my C drive when my computer got a virus.

http://i.imgur.com/bb5F3.png

I checked the space and it says "other files" with almost a terabyte... I think that was about the amount of crap I had on there, but when I look through files, I don't see any photography. It also isn't letting me open the backup?

I just don't know what I'm doing and I'm trying to not curl up in a ball just yet. Please tell me I'm just an idiot and I'm missing something.

How did you backup your C drive when you got a virus ?

Were the photos only on the external hard drive or were they on the computer as well before you backed up ?

To open the backup..try taking ownership.

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Take Ownership of a File or Folder, Win 7 - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx

http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/how-to-take-ownership-and-full-control-permissions-of-files-and-folders-in-vista/

Louis

The photos were only on my external because that had enough room for all of them.

I took ownership of the backup, but I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing now...

Oh! I found them! I applied "show hidden files" and they're there!

Well, that was a terrifying ordeal. Glad they're there.

Glad you solved it, happy computing .

I don't know how showing hidden files...was useful. The only files hidden by Windows are system files, not data files.

In any case...showing hidden files is a basic troubleshooting step users must take.

Louis