Virus/Malware that deleted only personal files

I would just like a clarification before heading in the wrong direction.

I just received a laptop, that apparentyl had a virus or malware, not sure which, that resulted in all the personal files on the laptop to be deleted or hidden or something. All the programs remain the same, the desktop background, the program shortcuts are all there. Everything in terms of pictures or user files is missing though. And I've been also told that a windows diagnostic has been run on it or something like that, after it was done, it became in the state that it is in right now with the files missing.

What I would like to know if anyone heard of something like this happen before, and are the files truly gone, or is there any way of retrieving them. If there's anything specific you want me to further dig in to, please let me know, because i have no idea where to start.

Thank you for your time, keep up the amazing work.

 

It just occured to me that it may have hidden the files. And I was right, so the files are all(im hoping, didnt really check all of them) there. Should I just proceed with the normal procedures of malware removal, or is this a virus that I should tackle differently? Also how can I back up the files safely without getting the USB infected?

Thank you again for your time.

 

As long as you have not run any type of temporary file cleaner, the files are most likely still there.

Do this first, then proceed with the REad and Run Me:

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2827/unhide.gif Now download unhide.exe to your desktop.

• Now run unhide.exe by double-clicking it. (Vista/7 right-click and select Run as Administrator)
• Be patient as the tool runs.
• Did this restore the missing (hidden) shortcuts?
• Attach the unhide.txt file on your desktop. (How to attach)

 

Complete the unhide.exe instructions first. It is hard for me to say if it is safe for you to insert a USB without knowing how many different infections are on your system (due to the lack of logs).