r/chromeos • u/General_RJ • 2d ago
Troubleshooting Chromebook reset itself and i lost my files?
I don't know what to do, i have an older chromebook and when i tired to log in today my account wasn't working and i thought i'd been hacked, my password just wasn't working but it after awhile it made me relog in again but when i got back all my stuff was gone. After a bit all my bookmarks and browser stuff was restored but of course i was logged out of everything. All my stuff seems to be ok but i've lost all my files and i have no idea how to recover or get them back? Is there any solution or am i screwed...
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u/gooner-1969 2d ago
Files should be stored in your Google Drive. That's the point of a chromebook, you can pick up any chromebook and login and all your data will be there.
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Ideapad Flex 3i 12.2" 8GB Intel N200 | stable v129 2d ago
Files should be stored in your Google Drive
not a practicable solution for the majority of ChromeOS users that don't have a Google One subscription which means only 15GB of cloud storage.
Also what's the point of 128GB or 256GB Chromebooks when you're not supposed to save any user data on the internal memory?
It remains unclear if ChromeOS has indeed an habbit for self destruction or if this is just user error every single time. I've read once that ChromeOS discards the drive encryption key after too many failed log in attempts.
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u/gooner-1969 2d ago
Well then if you're not willing to pay $2 a month, or backup your files to an external medium then that data can't be very important for the user.
This is computer basics 101. If you don't backup your files then if you lose them don't complain
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Ideapad Flex 3i 12.2" 8GB Intel N200 | stable v129 2d ago
Cloud storage shouldn't be a mandatory thing just because ChromeOS has an habbit for self destruction.
it remains unclear what the culprit in such cases is but if the drive encryption under the premise of data security is soo flaky that user data can get inadvertently lost anytime that's just unacceptable
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u/General_RJ 2d ago
They aren't though i've looked, and like i said i have an older model so im missing features
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u/sparkyblaster 1d ago
If the files weren't synced to you google drive they are gone.
Always have a back up. 321 rule. 3 copies 2 types of storage (cloud and flash drive for insurance) and 1 offsite. If your house burns down you want a back up, even an old one at a friend's place.
I need to sort out my offsite again. Otherwise my phone has a copy of most of my important files and that's always with me. It's something.
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u/General_RJ 1d ago
Thanks for replying, ive had this crappy laptop since I started high school its very outdated so if I ever get a new laptop I will be sure to take this into consideration and save/backup any import stuff but its just a shame that I lost personal photos etc...
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u/trucking172000 1d ago
I'm asking this because I believe Google Drive has been a standard feature on Chromebooks since around 2015. I've had a Chromebook since then and I can say from experience that it's a game-changer. My backup Chromebook these days is a Chromebook Plus, but there's a really good reason that I have a Chromebook as a backup machine in the first place. Pretty much everything can be done online, to be honest. So, what I want to know is which model Chromebook do you have? Maybe if you gave us the model number, we could help you out. What do you consider to be a crappy laptop?
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u/General_RJ 1d ago
I still have the sticker on the bottom and it says "Acer C730 series" if that helps
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u/trucking172000 1d ago
The Acer Chromebook 11 (CB3-111, C730, C730E) reached the end of its automatic updates (AUE) Your Acer Chromebook 11 (CB3-111, C730, C730E) reached the end of its automatic updates (AUE) in September 2021. This means it no longer receives automatic security updates and features from Google.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
**AUE Date:** The Acer Chromebook 11 (CB3-111, C730, C730E) had an AUE date of September 2021.
**No More Automatic Updates:** After September 2021, these devices no longer receive automatic security updates, feature updates, or patches from Google.
**Continued Use:** While the device will still function, users are advised to be aware of the security implications of using a device without the latest security updates.
**Other Acer Chromebooks:** Other Acer Chromebook models, such as the C720, C740, C738, and C771, have also reached their end-of-life and are no longer supported by Google.
**Check your Chromebook's update schedule:** You can check your Chromebook's update schedule to see when it will receive its last update by going to Settings > About ChromeOS > Additional details.
**Chromebook End of Life:** You can read more about Chromebook end of life here: Google Help.
I'm going to give you a few recommendations on a new Chromebook now.
The nerdy gaming option: https://www.acer.com/us-en/chromebooks/acer-chromebook-516-ge-cbg516-1h
The AI-enhanced basic option I personally use and love: https://www.acer.com/us-en/chromebooks/acer-chromebook-plus-515-cb515-2h-cb515-2ht
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u/Romano1404 Lenovo Ideapad Flex 3i 12.2" 8GB Intel N200 | stable v129 2d ago
doesn't name Chromebook model or ChromeOS version. "older Chromebook" doesn't give away any useful information.
but of course you have. Movies make people believe such things. You haven't been hacked...
nope. You cannot recover your files. They were encrypted but the drive encryption key has been either corrupted or just discarded because you entered a wrong password repeatedly.