One thing led to the next. I deleted important (to me) photographs from my camera’s SD card after downloading them into a folder on my laptop, and then I inadvertently deleted the folder containing them. I still don’t know how it happened, but I could not find them anywhere.
I have always wondered about investigators removing computers from suspected criminals’ homes. I’ve heard that computer gurus can reclaim things that were deleted from the hard drive. Now I’m no computer guru, but I can Google with the best of you.
“I deleted my photos by accident.”
You would be amazed at how many hits that Google search got.
Anyway, as I said, one thing led to the next and I found myself looking at a faded version of my recovered photographs using free software I downloaded. What they neglected to tell me was that I couldn’t actually access those photos unless I bought the program for around $50. Talk about an effective tease. My pictures were right there. They were still alive. But I couldn’t reach them.
To make a long story short, I bought the software. The code they gave me to covert the free version to the fully functional program didn’t work. I made the phone call. I gave them permission to access my computer remotely. This was the scary part, but I was in for the duration now. I mean, my pictures were right there. The guy I finally got, after the extended elevator music, wanted to sell me a $350 program to get rid of the virus he found that he said was responsible for the problem
Even though this account reads fairly quickly, it actually was taking a lot of time and my patience was wearing thin. This was a racket. And the worst part was that I had given this guy access to my computer.
We were on vacation at the beach and daylight was wasting. (Ignore the fact that I probably shouldn’t have been out in the sunlight anyway).
I told him there was no way I was spending more money on this project, and that he could give me a code that worked, or I wanted my money back. If I didn’t get my money back I was going to let the world know, through multiple blog posts, Facebook pages, and tweets, what a racket their company was running. That made him sit up and listen.
I got the code. I got my pictures. And I changed all my passwords out of paranoia.
But that wasn’t the memory I was talking about reclaiming.
Yesterday I was driving along and a memory popped up. It was of my childhood or teenage years. I think my sister Carol was in it. And it brought back to my senses the sights, sounds, and scents of home. It felt really good. And it wasn’t one of my over-used, tried and true, old-reliable memories that I keep for old-time’s sake and bring back out now and again, probably slightly modified with each review. It was a fresh memory.
I woke up this morning and could not access it. At all. I still can’t. I can’t remember any details about it except for how it made me feel.
Maybe I should Google it.
“How to access fleeting childhood memories.”
Do you think I’ll find “free” software for this one?
What a delightful post, Christine. Yes, it sounds like you got yourself connected to a racket of some sort. I don’t think changing your passwords was paranoid. I think it was wise, at the very least. So good for you.
As someone writing a memoir, I love the idea of getting a totally new memory. Now, if I do, I’ll know to write it down immediately–on paper–with carbon paper–just to be safe! LOL
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
One of these days I have to go through and redo all my passwords. It’s on my to-do list.
I recommend you do write down your memories right away, or record them on your smart phone if you have one. Mine are fleeting.
Awww that sounded scary, but I am so glad you have got your photo’s back,.. As to the dream maybe you were only meant to recall the ‘Feeling’ … But those lost dreams I have lost count of as we wake and then the memory of them disappears in the moment of opening our eyes…
And its so nice to be able to get your updates via email again… I have had loads of problems with updates and then this week I think I had over 300 come in from WP all at once…. Crazy!… But so pleased to catch up with you again..
Sue xox
I’m glad I got my photos back too. Maybe I was only meant to recall the feeling.
I’m glad you’ve got your communications back in order. Now if I can only get my act together and start corresponding more regularly. . .It’s a non-ending battle, isn’t it?
Yes it sure is Christine, but we get there all be it we may be slower than others.. One click at a time… 🙂
ah Christine good for you for letting the guy know he was messing with wrong person. And especially good you got your pictures back and I know you’ve now backed them up onto an external hard drive, right? I think Carol was perhaps whispering beside you to bring back that feeling from childhood, a moment of touching again something that was special. You smiled, she smiled and then on you go. Blessings to you.
Blessings to you too, Joss. I’ve got to get over to your site to see what you’re up to. I’ve been swamped here getting ready for a wedding reception at our home in a couple of weeks. Maybe once that’s behind us. . .
I find I do my best thinking while driving. I guess since driving seems so automatic it frees other parts to be accessed.
I do too. Isn’t that funny? I used to carry a small tape recorder in the car to collect the “jewels” when they came up. Mostly the tape remained blank.
Life in the digital lane is full of curve balls, eh? Glad you got your photos back. Hope the memory is reclaimed in due course.
Thanks, Nancy.
Sometimes I have a moment where there’s a fleeting memory of something long ago that for just that moment resonates, but within an hour, it’s gone.
It takes that kind of threat to get a proper response out of someone like that…
I’m glad I’m not the only who has those kinds of memories.
You’re lucky you got anything because most of us wound up with a hole in our wallet, a virus on our hard drive, and a hard learned lesson.
Well, I still am not sure about the virus on the hard drive. Hopefully luck is with me.
Yes, I have the free software you need! And by my calculations, that’s going to cost you $…
I’m glad you got your pictures back. I never even thought about Google when I deleted mine.
HaHa. Not you too. . .
That’s really awful ! Scams! Grateful you’ve retrieved your photographs ~ Sincerely Debbie
It is awful. I guess it is part of the capitalistic society we live in. Anything for a buck.
That sounds like it was really scary. And having it happen while on vacation–not fun at all. Wishing there was a reliable non-scam program for retrieving some of those old memories. Haven’t found one on this end yet.
Have you looked? Maybe it’s more complicated than we think.
When you find the memory re-finder, let me know. I wish all the time that I could remember so many things from my childhood/teen years. I kick myself (often) for throwing out things that could help me remember, like journals, letters, etc. I have a few letters and photos but they really don’t make things come alive and stay alive like I think the written word might…
Perhaps the intimate details are immaterial compared to how the experience made you feel.
Your heart seeps through your post and into mine. Once again I’m amazed at how you transform your experience into encouragement. Thank you!