Lost files, folders, icons, programs, restore points

I have viewed several threads and cannot find one that even comes close to the disaster I experienced last night. I downloaded a simple "free" software program that I thought was safe. I installed it and while it was running left the computer for a bit. When I returned it was eating my hard drive.

I turned the computer off, unplugged the battery. When I restarted it was too late. Almost everything was gone, all my installed programs including all MS Office, Outlook, all photos, music, etc.

I checked my memory capacity and had remembered that I had about 120 Gigs of storage left on my HD. Now I have 393 left. Something is wrong.

I attempted to do a restore but when I opened the utility, it said that there were no restore points available.

When I click on Start and attempt to find any document or file or photo, nothing is found. If I type in the subject of an email, it will display it but when I click on it, nothing opens,of course.

My security programs were Webroot and McAfee. McAfee is still there but Webroot is gone. I did a McAfee scan and it says that my system is secure.

What happened? I appreciate any help anyone can give.

 

OK, no responses yet. So, I will add some additional info and discoveries.
I am running Windows 7 64-bit SP-1.

After crashing, I viewed no error messages,nor do I get any upon restart. The program I downloaded was a "free trial" version of Videopad.

In Control Panel, I can see programs installed but cannot find them through a search from Start.

I reinstalled Outlook 2010 and MS Office 2007. Both appear to be working fine but no old files contained within.

I DL'd & ran Paretologic & TrojanKiller but both, advertised as free, want a cc to clean. I don't mind shelling it out if I think they will work.

I've read this form and mybleepingcomputer's and cannot find anything close to this problem.

Please Help

 

Click Start, Try typing msconfig , when it shows up in list above,click on it, click tools, scroll down to system restore ther. Try clicking the launch button.
Sometimes this has workedwhen the F8 option does not.

 

I experienced something very similar last night. Several programs and documents have disappeared and my Comodo Firewall asked me to Allow or Deny most of what's on my computer.

Dell Vista 64-bit, Panda Pro 2012 AV.

I hope someone comes up with a solution.

 

Thanks Baklogic. I tried msconfig and going into the System Restore program. The program comes up fine. It offers NO restore points prior to the problem happening last night.

I have several programs in Control Panel-Programs. For instance, Skype. But, I cannot find Skype anywhere. I type it in the Start search box and it comes up blank.

Also, I cannot find IE. So, I installed Firefox from flash drive. From there I tried to DL IE-9 and the error message said that I had a newer version already on the computer. But, in Programs AND in the Start search box, I cannot find it.

Still looking.

 

In my experimenting with a partition copying program, I had problems getting widows to start, on the copied partition- what I did might have a chance with yours with explorer.
Just worth a try.
Hit control+alt+delete buttons to bring up task manager.
click new task, and type in the name of the program, and click o.k, if it shows as clear o.k. If it does not, then click brouse to see if it will show.
I did this when I need to start in my position, and typed in explorer.exe, and it fgot me in to fiddle around for other programs, so it might help to try it.

 

I would otherwise run memtest86, to check your ram (at least 3 runs0 -I am not sure if that works with the 64bit version-I have not had to use it for a whil- windows memory test does not always find a faulty stick. Also, I would consider checking your hard drive- you can try CHKDSK C:/F, IF C: IS YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM DRIVE (USUALLY IS)
eagate tool works on most, but I gather the Fujitsu(Toshia owned, I think, now) will often work on most- look in majorgeeks downloads for them

 

http://majorgeeks.com/Seagate_SeaTools_for_Windows_d2858.html

 

I suggest you try changing around your ram sticks, reseating, or, one at a time.
Just checked, Memtest is for 32bit (x86) so will not work on 64bit.

 

I have to go of-line now, but someone else may try to help.

 

Perhaps you should go to the malware forum.

My only thought, which won't clean up any malware, is to run the unhide.exe towards the bottom of this page http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-windows-recovery and see if your files are merely hidden rather than gone. If they are/were hidden then it might be worth doing the Read&Run Me in the malware forum and when complete post there.