Computer Help and Support

lesson to learn. I wouldn't allow the family (should have asked you upfront for the password to access your machine) to access your laptop, instead, if possible, get new ones for the rest of your family or have them go to the library if possible (and use the PCs there if possible). If not, perhaps the school has a program where they'll help families purchase PCs for families unable to afford them. Laptops are getting cheaper and cheaper, and perhaps they have a student discount.

It's getting to the point that so many people are putting so much stuff onto these devices, that if should something negative happen, then you are out all of the work, all of the files, all of the time you spent on these files etc., so a laptop per person is probably advisable.

Again, like I say, I hope that you recover everything fully. That's a great loss. I still, to this day, when my device crashed one time, I lost thousands of things on my system, and I still remember it (the crash). I have, of course, recovered somewhat, but still don't know all what I lost, never will. Thus, that's why I do occasionally do a backup. Not as much as I should, but I do it still.