Fonts & Character Sets ⇒ question mark inside black diamond character

[ghostanime2001]

Hello, I am using Windows 8 pro 64-bit. On Aug 24, 2013 around 1:00 - 2:00 AM I had adobe illustrator CC installed. I installed illustrator CC in the downloads folder in C:\Users\[username]\Downloads. However, there was something wrong with updating & starting the program so I wanted to uninstall it. I used Revo to uninstall it.

In the programs' tools -> options -> uninstaller, I had de-selected "Make a system restore point and a full registry backup before uninstalling" and "Back up the deleted Registry Items". I had selected "Permanently" under "Delete files and folders".

When I uninstalled illustrator CC using revo, like it always does, it checks off trace registry & files/folders by default, so I let all files & folders be checked. When uninstallation was finished, I did not realize that Revo also uninstalled the downloads folder!!!! So the entire downloads folder is gone!!!! I had several latex files with .tex extensions in the downloads folder.

So I went on the hunt for recovery software and I was able to see the correct filename but when I opened it, it was all jibberish with little black diamonds with question marks inside! Is it possible to uncover the correct characters ? I have attached the recovered latex file in this post. Please take a look at it.

I am in need of dire assistance from you. Please reply as soon as possible!!

Thank you

[localghost]

Your files are irrecoverably lost.

[…] I had several latex files with .tex extensions in the downloads folder. […]

Obviously this is the wrong place for an archive of LaTeX sources.


Thorsten

[ghostanime2001]

I had to say my goodbyes to those latex files today. I had made up a new command for equilibrium/buffer tables in chemistry, but they are gone... I will always remember them where do you suggest I keep an archive of latex files then?

[Johannes_B]

My suggestion would be to save your important documents on another partition (not the one where Wind0ws is installed) in case your OS gets corrupted somehow. You should also do backups on a regular basis. With simple textfiles you can also have your files managed and stored with a version control system.
Additionally, it might be a good idea to be more careful and attentive when deleting files.

Best regards
Johannes

[localghost]

I agree with Johannes that you should never store private data of any kind on the system partition of your hard disk drive. And I also agree that you have to be more careful in handling your machine.

I personally am just building some kind of private cloud in my network at home. It will consist of a NAS that will serve as a central storage and server where all my present and future devices (PC, notebook, tablet, TV, …) can access the same data (pictures, movies, music, documents, …). Since I don't like the cloud in the web, this is the best place for my data, especially for the very private and personal part. But this also means that I have to invest a bigger amount of money. But my private data is worth it.

[…] I had made up a new command for equilibrium/buffer tables in chemistry […]

In this regard you are probably interested in the packages related to chemistry on CTAN. Perhaps you can find some useful structures there. Finally you can ask here in the forum if you need help in the reconstruction.

[ghostanime2001]

private cloud ? that sounds interesting. I am not a very computer savvy person when it comes to cloud things but How do I set this up ? Also, All I remember making those tables is using boolean operators and it was a complicated process. I don't remember what packages I used sadly.. I know it had something to do with Ifthenelse commands or something seperated by commas

[localghost]

private cloud ? that sounds interesting. I am not a very computer savvy person when it comes to cloud things but How do I set this up ? […]

I don't know exactly because I'm at the beginning to build it up. Actually I only need to buy the NAS and integrate it into the network. I haven't chosen yet which to buy. And perhaps some settings on my computers.

[…] All I remember making those tables is using boolean operators and it was a complicated process. I don't remember what packages I used sadly.. I know it had something to do with Ifthenelse commands or something seperated by commas

If you have asked questions here which are related to that then you can search in your own questions. Perhaps you can reconstruct those tables.

[ghostanime2001]

I probably can reconstruct those, but university is starting in a week :S

[localghost]

I probably can reconstruct those, but university is starting in a week :S

So you have no time to lose.