Help!!

Does anybody know what has happened to my computer?

I switched my computer off a few times by the wall power socket instead of through my computer.
Yesterday I switched my computer on and everything I saved on it has vanished....all my uni work, all my photos, my music and some programs! I have no idea what's happened or if I can get it back.
Is it due to a virus or from switching my computer of incorrectly!
It seems to be working a lot quicker now (I guess because there is more free space!) but I would love to get all my photos back...do you think it's possible?
My uni work isn't so bad as I have this saved elsewhere.

It's as if I have a brand new computer that has never been used!

Aghhhh!

I switched my computer off a few times by the wall power socket instead of through my computer.

ALWAYS a big mistake! Whenever Windows is running, it has several critical system files "open". When you suddenly remove power, those files are not closed properly and the result is typically corrupt system files.

ALWAYS "gracefully" shutdown Windows and your computer through the Start menu to ensure all open files are properly saved and closed before power is removed. I would suggest right clicking on the drive under My Computer (assuming XP) and selecting Properties > Tools and then run Error-Checking and have it automatically repair.

If you still cannot see your files, you might try Recuva, from the makers of CCleaner or Restoration.

If you need more help, we will need to know about your hardware and operating system.

Hello Digerati,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's all fixed and my files have returned. I really can't thank you enough, I'm very happy to have my photos back again...THANK YOU!

It was your first suggestion that worked, I would never have been able to figure that out myself (I'm not very technically minded...but you've probably already worked that out!)

I shall never shut my computer down that way again, I've certainly learnt my lesson.

One more big thank you!

You are welcome. I am glad it worked and thanks for the followup.