I did a system recovery, during which it asked me if i wanted to save files and pictures..I said yes but now I can not find my old files

If a file is deleted and is not written by further data, then the file has actually been there.

Check out http://www.any-data-recovery.com/recover-photo.htm
and get your photos back!

Related: photo recovery

Desktop or Laptop ????....
Unfortunately, it is likely that your computer will encounter some form of system error, malware function or hard-drive crash that causes the operating system to become unstable.
To help computer users resolve these issues, HP includes the HP Recovery Manager in each Compaq Presario.
Use the Recovery Manager to recover your system without the need for any additional software CDs, technical support or repair service.
The recovery process should only be used as a last step in troubleshooting your computer, as all personal data files will be erased during the recovery.

Close any programs running on your computer and remove any unnecessary hardware devices that are connected to the computer.
Restart the computer. Press the "F11" key once your computer begins to start up again and before the Windows logo appears.
The HP Recovery Manager will automatically launch.
Click the "System Recovery" option and click "Next." Select "No" in the Microsoft restore window that opens and click "Next."
Select the "Backup Your Files First" option and connect an external hard drive or insert a blank DVD or CD to store the backup files.
Follow the instructions in the wizard to select the files you want to save.
Click "Next" to begin the restore process.
The Recovery Manager will reformat the hard drives and recover the system to a functional operating condition.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01895783&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us - RestoreWithoutWindows

you can easily recover deleted pictures from camera with asoftech photo recovery program. download it from
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Asoftech-Photo-Recovery.shtml

You can often successfully recover deleted files from a PC, phone or camera memory card or USB Memory stick, it just depends on what's happened since the files were deleted.
When you delete files the data itself isn't deleted, just the index entry that says where the data for those files is located. The space containing the deleted files is also now marked as free space so it is available to the system for any new files to be written there instead.

If and when that happens, then it becomes too late to recover your deleted files so it is very, very important to not save any new files or data to the device concerned.
If the deleted files are on a memory card or USB memory stick, just don't save any new files to it.

One of the easiest ways to see if you can recover deleted files is to try some file recovery software. Recommended this data recovery as it saved my life many times.
http://www.asoftech.com/apr/

As a rule, system recoveries usually bring a PC or laptop back to the factory install, effectively erasing all new data created and stored since its purchase. I would suggest backing up your current files before running the system recovery if it is an option.

Hi, you will need to reformat your hard drive before installing XP, First boot into BIOS by pressing the F1 key during bootup, change the primary boot drvice to CD rom, save changes. Insert XP cd into drive and reboot PC; select boot from CD when this appears during the initial boot fase. Allow files to be installed. When this finishes, delete partion and then repartion hard drive. Select format hard drive, when this completes your PC will reboot, do not select boot from CD and XP will start to install normally.
Hope this helps, if not come back to me.

Get windows 7, or downgrade to xp. lol kidding. During the start up, i beleve its either f11 or f12 press them it should bring you to a boot screen. follow option. or you can use the compaqs built in recovery system. reinstall your system. vista has a option to save its old files for transfer.

Insert the disk
Restart
Go to BIOS
BOOT SETTINGS
Set your cd-dvd as a first boot device
F10
YES
Follow the instructions

Go to your pictures. Insert disc. highlight the file or individual picture in a file without clicking on them. On the left side where the menu and subs are will prompt you to save these to disc. Click it. When you are finished selecting all the photos you want saved go to your computer and click on your disc. It should prompt you by asking if you want to save to disc and click yes. Hope this helps.

You can often successfully recover deleted files from a PC, phone or camera memory card or USB Memory stick, it just depends on what's happened since the files were deleted.
When you delete files the data itself isn't deleted, just the index entry that says where the data for those files is located. The space containing the deleted files is also now marked as free space so it is available to the system for any new files to be written there instead.

If and when that happens, then it becomes too late to recover your deleted files so it is very, very important to not save any new files or data to the device concerned.
If the deleted files are on a memory card or USB memory stick, just don't save any new files to it.

One of the easiest ways to see if you can recover deleted photos is to try some picture recovery software. Recommended asoftech photo recovery as it saved my life many times.
http://www.asoftech.com/apr/