DANGER:
Attempting to recover access to "lost" files stored on a remote computer or file server can actually cause those files to be lost. I have seen it hundreds of times. Here's how it happens:
1. The service (AOL, eBay, or any other ISP which stores user files for you) has a hard disk problem ,and has to reformat and restore from the backup disks.
2. As a result, the files are temporarily unavailable to the user, often without any explanation.
3. While the file restore from the backups is going on, you discover that your materials are gone.
4. You panic, and either create a new folder to replaced the lost one, or save something else to the "empty" folder.
5. The ISP's OS detects that the folder is "newly changed" since the restore process started. So it thinks you wanted it that way. Thus, it does not place the backed up files back into the folder during the restore operation.
The best thing to do if your files are missing is to LOG OFF IMMEDIATELY without changing or moving any files. Wait several hours before trying again. Then, check if the files are there before doing anything. If they are still gone, don't do anything.
Contact the ISP system administratiors to find out what is going on, preferably without using the service having the missing files to do so.
It would be nice if these ISPs notified you not to alter certain folders if they want their files restored.
