system refresh and my lost data files

[Guest VRA_20200513]

(HP Desktop, AMD 64 bit, 8GB RAM Windows 8 OS)

 

 

After several failed boot sequences, and after all options failed from F1 to F10 in AUTO REPAIR, I have saved my files on HD onto a USB drive (as BACKUP FILES) and chose the option to REFRESH ( NOT RESET ) with (2013 saved) System RESTORE USB.

 

I got the computer back, but all my data files seem missing / disappeared.

 

 

I AM very careful NOT to choose RESET, but ONLY REFRESH as the option gives the user retention of the personal data files.

 

 

2 issues here.

 

1) HP saved files on 32Gb USB are back up files. and I am unable to open them. Do I need any special APP to access those files.

 

2) My current FIXED DISK files ( WINDOWS etc.) are all dated 2013, and all user data folders ( my Docs, My Pictures, My Music) have no files, and are empty, excepting

 

a) I see a folder that I Created on 4/27/2020 with 4 files...

 

b) I see subway map [ in the root directory ( c:\ ) ] ... that I downloaded few years ago.

 

These two are saved intact and rest of my data is missing from the FIXED DRIVE.

 

 

Please help me with

 

A) a method to find my data files, which are under the current OS on my FD.

 

B) restoring "HP System saved" BACKUP files

 

 

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

 

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