Installed Ubuntu but all my files are missing now.

[stat5bot]

First time to install UBUNTU

curious about what Ubuntu looks like, and how it works.. i tried it,

first i got Windows XP. so i installed Ubuntu. then after i restarted the computer. it did not give me any options to choose which OS to boot.. it just went to Ubuntu. then when i check my files. all of my partitions are gone (well, 2 of them C & D) which contains all of my important files) now im having a hard time looking for a way to recover them.. :(

all i could see here in Ubuntu is FILESYSTEM and thats it.. i dont see any partitions for my previous drives.. :(

anyone help? thanks a lot :)

[tamoneya]

the way you get to choose your os is you hit esc when it says "loading grub". As for your files they are on a seperate partition that is nice and safe. Post the output of the following code in terminal (applications->accessories->terminal)
sudo fdisk -l

[stat5bot]

the way you get to choose your os is you hit esc when it says "loading grub". As for your files they are on a seperate partition that is nice and safe. Post the output of the following code in terminal (applications->accessories->terminal)
sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xb17f4837

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 18700 150207718+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 18701 19457 6080602+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 18701 19457 6080571 82 Linux swap / Solaris

[tamoneya]

Okay you are going to try and remain relaxed because this is going to take some work. When you installed ubuntu it appears that you told it to use the entire disk and in the process you erased you NTFS partition and therefore your files. The first thing you shoud do is you should turn of the computer in question and if possible trouble shoot this from a seperate computer. The reason behind this is that every write to your harddisk decreases the chances that you will recover your files. From this other computer you should download RIPLinux (http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robotti/looplinux/rip/) (recovery is possible linux). This will allow you to boot from a liveCD (like you did during the install) and from there recovery your files onto a spare harddrive.

[stat5bot]

by the way sir. i tried to press escape while it was still loading.. it only gave me choices like Ubuntu 8.04 Generic, Recovery Mode & Memtest.. :(

[tamoneya]

that is because as i said earlier you installed over your windows partition instead of along with it. You told ubuntu to remove windows and therefore it wont show up in grub :(

[stat5bot]

aw.. :(

thanks a lot. im currently downloading the file. but unfortunately i dont have another computer. is it ok if i could boot it using the same computer?.

and im really sorry, im really new to this. how do you burn the.. image file into the CD.. i only know how to do it in Norton..sorry :(

[tamoneya]

testdisk seems to be a little bit more up to date. Try this instead of RIPLinux
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk
edit: ignore this. Test disk is included on recovery is possible. It is testdisk that you should be running once you load recovery is possible.

[tamoneya]

ubuntu will automatically detect that it is an ISO and it will just open the burn cd/dvd program. If that doesnt happen it is called Brasero and is located in applications -> sound and video. You should try to find some sort of external drive or even a flash drive to which you can transfer your hopefully soon to be recovered files.