Help!! Personal files disappeared!

[aphex]

Hi,

I've recently updated through adept after switching from Mandriva to Kubuntu in the last couple of weeks. Everything was OK until I installed these updates (list follows), after which my personal files seem to have disappeared!

All the hidden folders (e.g. .kde, .mozilla-thunderbird) seems to be intact, but no non-hidden foles such as Documents, Desktop are there, and the disk usage from du seems to indicate they have been deleted.....

I'm not able to log into my user account through KDE, it just resets back to the login prompt, though a root KDE session is possible. Nothing unusual appears in /var/log/messages, Xorg.0.log, dpkg.log or any of the other places I would normally look.... please does anyone have any ideas!

from /var/log/dkpg.log

2006-09-23 17:41:38 upgrade gzip 1.3.5-12 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:38 status half-configured gzip 1.3.5-12
2006-09-23 17:41:39 status unpacked gzip 1.3.5-12
2006-09-23 17:41:39 status half-installed gzip 1.3.5-12
2006-09-23 17:41:41 status half-installed gzip 1.3.5-12
2006-09-23 17:41:41 status unpacked gzip 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:41 status unpacked gzip 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:42 status unpacked gzip 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:43 status half-configured gzip 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:45 status installed gzip 1.3.5-12ubuntu0.1
2006-09-23 17:41:51 upgrade libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:41:51 status half-configured libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:51 status unpacked libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:51 status half-installed libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:52 status half-installed libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:55 status unpacked libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:41:55 status unpacked libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:41:56 upgrade amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:41:56 status half-configured amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:56 status unpacked amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:56 status half-installed amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:57 status half-installed amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:58 status unpacked amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:41:58 status unpacked amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:41:59 upgrade amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status half-configured amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status unpacked amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status half-installed amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status half-installed amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status unpacked amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:41:59 status unpacked amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:42:00 upgrade amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:42:00 status half-configured amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:42:00 status unpacked amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:42:00 status half-installed amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:42:26 status half-installed amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:42:27 status unpacked amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:42:30 status unpacked amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 17:42:31 upgrade libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:31 status half-configured libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:31 status unpacked libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:31 status half-installed libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:33 status half-installed libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:38 status unpacked libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:39 status unpacked libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:41 upgrade libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:41 status half-configured libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:41 status unpacked libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:41 status half-installed libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:42 status half-installed libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:43 status unpacked libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:43 status unpacked libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:49 upgrade firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:42:49 status half-configured firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:50 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:42:50 status half-installed firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:43:13 status half-installed firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.5-0ubuntu6.06.1
2006-09-23 17:43:16 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:43:16 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:43:18 upgrade gxine 0.5.1-0ubuntu15 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:18 status half-configured gxine 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:18 status unpacked gxine 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:18 status half-installed gxine 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:25 status half-installed gxine 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:27 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:28 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:28 upgrade gxineplugin 0.5.1-0ubuntu15 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:28 status half-configured gxineplugin 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:29 status unpacked gxineplugin 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:29 status half-installed gxineplugin 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:29 status half-installed gxineplugin 0.5.1-0ubuntu15
2006-09-23 17:43:29 status unpacked gxineplugin 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:29 status unpacked gxineplugin 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:30 upgrade libk3b2 0.12.16-0kubuntu1 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:30 status half-configured libk3b2 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:30 status unpacked libk3b2 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:30 status half-installed libk3b2 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:42 status half-installed libk3b2 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:43 status unpacked libk3b2 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:43 status unpacked libk3b2 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:45 upgrade k3b 0.12.16-0kubuntu1 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:45 status half-configured k3b 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:45 status unpacked k3b 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:45 status half-installed k3b 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:54 status half-installed k3b 0.12.16-0kubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:54 status unpacked k3b 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:54 status unpacked k3b 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:55 upgrade knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r533312-0ubuntu1 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:55 status half-configured knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r533312-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:55 status unpacked knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r533312-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:55 status half-installed knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r533312-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:56 status half-installed knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r533312-0ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:57 status unpacked knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:57 status unpacked knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:43:58 upgrade libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:43:58 status half-configured libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:58 status unpacked libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:58 status half-installed libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:58 status half-installed libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status unpacked libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status unpacked libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 upgrade libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status half-configured libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status unpacked libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status half-installed libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.1
2006-09-23 17:43:59 status half-installed libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.1
2006-09-23 17:44:00 status unpacked libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:44:00 status unpacked libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:44:00 upgrade linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.46 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:44:00 status half-configured linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.46
2006-09-23 17:44:02 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.46
2006-09-23 17:44:02 status half-installed linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.46
2006-09-23 17:44:38 status half-installed linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.46
2006-09-23 17:44:46 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:44:50 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:44:50 install linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 <none> 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 17:44:50 status half-installed linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 17:45:15 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 17:45:15 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 17:45:15 upgrade linux-image-386 2.6.15.24 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 17:45:15 status half-configured linux-image-386 2.6.15.24
2006-09-23 17:45:15 status unpacked linux-image-386 2.6.15.24
2006-09-23 17:45:15 status half-installed linux-image-386 2.6.15.24
2006-09-23 17:45:16 status half-installed linux-image-386 2.6.15.24
2006-09-23 17:45:16 status unpacked linux-image-386 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 17:45:16 status unpacked linux-image-386 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 17:45:18 status unpacked libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:45:18 status half-configured libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:45:50 status installed libgnutls12 1.2.9-2ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:45:50 status unpacked libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:50 status half-configured libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:51 status installed libnspr4 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:51 status unpacked libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:51 status half-configured libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status installed libnss3 2:1.firefox1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status unpacked firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:52 status half-configured firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:55 status installed firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.7-ubuntu0.6.06
2006-09-23 17:45:55 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:55 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:55 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:55 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:56 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:56 status unpacked gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:45:56 status half-configured gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:05 status installed gxine 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status unpacked gxineplugin 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status half-configured gxineplugin 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status installed gxineplugin 0.5.7-1ubuntu4~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status unpacked libk3b2 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status half-configured libk3b2 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status installed libk3b2 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status unpacked k3b 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:06 status half-configured k3b 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:10 status installed k3b 0.12.17-1ubuntu3~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:10 status unpacked knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:11 status unpacked knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:11 status half-configured knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:30 status installed knetworkmanager 0.1~svn-r575138-0ubuntu2~dapper1
2006-09-23 17:46:32 status unpacked libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:46:32 status half-configured libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status installed libgnutls11 1.0.16-14ubuntu1.1
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status unpacked libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status half-configured libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status installed libxfont1 1:1.0.0-0ubuntu3.2
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:46:34 status half-configured linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:49:28 status installed linux-image-2.6.15-26-386 2.6.15-26.47
2006-09-23 17:49:28 status unpacked linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 17:49:28 status half-configured linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 18:00:13 status installed linux-image-2.6.15-27-386 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 18:00:14 status unpacked linux-image-386 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 18:00:14 status half-configured linux-image-386 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status installed linux-image-386 2.6.15.25
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status unpacked amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status half-configured amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status installed amarok-xine 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status unpacked amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status unpacked amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:15 status half-configured amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:57 status installed amarok 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:57 status unpacked amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:57 status half-configured amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 18:00:57 status installed amarok-engines 2:1.4.3-0ubuntu6
2006-09-23 19:08:30 install beneath-a-steel-sky <none> 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:08:30 status half-installed beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:10:27 status unpacked beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:10:27 status unpacked beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:10:28 install flight-of-the-amazon-queen <none> 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:10:28 status half-installed flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:11:33 status unpacked flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:11:34 status unpacked flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:11:36 install linux-source-2.6.15 <none> 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:11:36 status half-installed linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:12:41 status unpacked linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:12:41 status unpacked linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:12:43 status unpacked beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:12:43 status half-configured beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status installed beneath-a-steel-sky 0.0372-1
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status unpacked flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status half-configured flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status installed flight-of-the-amazon-queen 1.0.0-3
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status unpacked linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:12:44 status half-configured linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48
2006-09-23 19:12:45 status installed linux-source-2.6.15 2.6.15-27.48

[askrieger]

Re: Help!! Personal files disappeared!

Nobody with half a brain is going to wade through that list. I would strongly suggest, if you're still interested in getting an answer to your question, that you transmit the output of the command

fgrep "status installed" /var/log/dpkg.log

.However, I suspect that the solution lies elewhere. Installing software is unlikely to recursively wipe all the visible files in your home directory tree, if that's what happened (what do you see in the undotted directories under .kde?). On the other hand ex-Mandy users, of which I am one, tend to think, at least initially, that this sudo business is for sissies, and Real Men have root logins. Then they su to root, recursively wipe a bunch of directories and wish that they had read this page on the Ubuntu Community help site. You DO have a backup for all those files, though.

If, in fact, you already know and love sudo, I apologize, but it's a common mistake for people transferiing from another distro.

[claydoh]

Re: Help!! Personal files disappeared!

I wonder if the /home dir (if located on another partition or drive) is being mounted

try posting the content of your fstab and the output of the command 'mount'

[jimbren]

Re: Help!! Personal files disappeared!

i was thinking the exact same thing about the post above regarding /home. It sounds to me like it isn't being mounted properly.

Please let us know, I'm very interested in seeing a solution to this.

[askrieger]

Re: Help!! Personal files disappeared!

The O.P. said

All the hidden folders (e.g. .kde, .mozilla-thunderbird) seems to be intact, but no non-hidden foles such as Documents, Desktop are there, and the disk usage from du seems to indicate they have been deleted.....

I took that to mean that not only was /home/ mounted, but also ~/. The only things missing are the undotted dirs. In addition, I took the fact that "du" doesn't show the the disk space that they should have occupied to indicate that they have been erased. So I suspect a gross blunder. At least, that's the ony way I've ever lost everything.

I suspect that, if it happened BEFORE the Adept download, that the files are gone for good. Does anyone know the ext3 disk space allocation algorithm? some things may still be recoverable.

[aphex]

Re: Help!! Personal files disappeared!

Hi,

Yeah askrieger is right, /home is mounted, all directories below are visible except for those which did not start with a ., I confirmed through the Kubuntu live cd as well.

I have a bad feeling everything's gone as well, but I have double checked the bash history logs as well as the logs in /var/log and can't see anything amiss or rm commands I might have issued, but I don't think it's something I've done directly - here's more info as to why:

The problem started while I was online, downloading a .tar.gz file as well as installing updates through adept, I wasn't in a console or Konqueror, just browsing and downloading. A minute or two after adept had confirmed all updates were installed as well as a couple of new files (SCUMMVM games) I'd requested, Firefox gave me an error saying that the target directory (a folder called Downloads in my home directory) was no longer accessible. I checked - everything was gone as described above. I double checked the logs, but my battery was running low and I needed shut down and to go to a different location to plug my laptop in.

When I started the laptop again, I couldn't get into KDE - the login screen appears but just goes straight back to the login screen after I enter the password. No errors appear in the messages or X logs, and I can boot into KDE OK with root. I added 2 test users - one through KDE and another manually via bash, and neither of those accounts can reach KDE either.

All that leads me to believe something else has happened other than accidental deletion, be it corruption of the /home directory, hackery or something else so I'm eager to try and find out what it is before I nuke /home and restore backups (which as always aren't particularly up-to-date). If anyone has other ideas on what might be the problem, your help is appreciated and I'll post my solution if I solve it myself. Thanks either way!