Q: It really saddens me and my wife that we have lost some of our baby's photos - those taken between 2004 and 2005. Those taken from 2006 are still in the PC.

Rick Yang

A: It is possible that your pictures have been misplaced. It happens to me occasionally when I accidentally drag a folder and drop it into another.

Try searching for all the image file formats using Windows Search. The function is easily activated by pressing the F3 function key or selecting the Start button and Search.

Most digital cameras save the photos in JPEG format and uses a filename extension of .JPG. Input *.JPG in the search parameter text box to find all the JPEG files.

You can refine your search further by using the Advanced Search. For example, you can search for all files created before Dec 31, 2005, in Drive C: and E:.

If you are still unable to locate the lost files, you may want to try one of the three data recovery services I have listed below.

CBL Technologies http://www.cbltech.com.sg
International Technology System http://www.its.com.sg
Adroit Data Recovery Centre http://www.adrc.net

Answer by Chester Chen, a recognised Microsoft Most Valuable Professional specialising in Windows desktop experience

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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