All Documents lost their content.
DataCenter, Desktop management applications, Development, Microsoft Systems Management Server, Networking, Ping
Hello All,
could someone help ASAP. All my microsoft office files suddently lost their content and they all have their sizes reduced to 32kb. I know it could be virus but how do I recover my documents back? have no back up. Please help ASAP.
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
May 3, 2006 12:32 PM
UPDATED:
May 16, 2006 3:19 PM
Answer Wiki:
A - all your Office documents are now the same size and appear empty when opened. Sounds like a virus.
B - Have no backup.
C - How to recover (very unlikely)
Turn off the computer! Disconnect any network cables and if using wireless besure to diable when you reboot.
Using a LiveCD (Trinity or UBCD4Win) boot the system, clear the virus and/or worm and copy any remaining documents to CD or tape. When you have cleared the virus then you can restart normally and reconnect to the network.
IF you are unable to 'clean' the virus - erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS (Microsoft's current recommendation).
The reason I said recovery of your documents is unlikely, is because the truncation in size implies they were re-written. UBCD4Win includes a deleted file recovery program. And if you have the patience of Job you can use a sector editor on the disk to capture file fragments.
Good luck.
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I would followup with a similar beginning…
Shut down the system and remove the hard drive. Mount it in ANOTHER computer as a slave/secondary/whatever-but-non-boot
Then get one of the single use file recovery tools from OnTrack (et al) and try that.
I’ve had a lot of luck with the general process of using a secondary system purely for cleanup to the point where I’ve set one up permanently for just that purpose.
Bob