Please excuse me while I go kill myself...

Dropbox is your friend. An automated file synchronization service to the web and any other computers you may have. I'll post this in the tech forum, too. Here's an invite. https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTQ4NzE4OQ I live by this thing having my files synchronized effortlessly across my laptop, netbook, the web, and even my usb drive (a different, portable version, but you'll have to download it separately). Please, check it out. You'll be glad you did.

There is a program you MIGHT want to try using. It's called Recuva. I'll see if I can find a link.

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

That's it. It's a semi-intense program; but you are supposed to use it to recover various versions of a file on a computer. Best thing is it's free. I used it a couple times before myself. I wish you luck.

I can try to get you a flash drive or something if you want an additional backup source. Let me know.

"Bucket of criminy!"
-Tad Ghostal

This might help if you're using Vista:

http://www.shadowexplorer.com/

That reminds me:

If you are using XP, there is a way to check a "restore point" or something like that. It can help you find something purged or corrupted.

I don't know the process, but there must be an online guide or something.

"Bucket of criminy!"
-Tad Ghostal

For some reason, the program I'm using says I used ASCII encryption, and it turned 5789 words into 34k # marks. Will any of those programs find an older version with the words intact?

THANK GOD!!! I got my novel back. Thanks to whoever suggested Recuva! XD

Also as an alternate to Dropbox - Windows Live offers folder sync across multiple machines, among a plethora of other options. I keep my writing, school, and Outlook folders synced across machines. I dont do automatic as it became problematic for Outlook but I do sync often. Play with it to find out which way works best for you. I would suggest one good back up of all the files you are adding to Windows Live Sync before you set it up just to be safe, but I have multiple back ups of everything thats important to me... 15 years in IT product management taught me tyou can never have enough back ups.

Woohoo!

Glad it worked. :)

"Bucket of criminy!"
-Tad Ghostal

also, I dump mine into a google doc each night so if I have a chance during work, I can access it easily there.

OMG...every writer's worst nightmare!

I have a friend who makes me send her my writing in e-mail every day. That way it's saved in my sent box. You can e-mail it to yourself if you don't have anyone you trust with a novel in its infant stage.
As soon as I'm done writing, I just copy-paste-send. Instant backup!

www.JudyLunsfordBooks.com

To piggyback this, you can also email it to yourself. I do this for a cheap backup...in fact, I should do that tonight. :)

Alana
Author of Domestically Challenged
NaNo '07 - Winner!
NaNo '08 - Winner!
Blog - http://www.dctheblog.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/domchallenged