Location unavailable.

So, a couple days ago I was moving all my photos and files from my old laptop—the one running Windows 7—onto an external hard drive. Once everything was moved, I wiped the OS and installed Windows 10. Now, when I plug that hard drive back in, I can't even open this one specific folder named "02.04.2107".
I ran a scan and there’s definitely no virus. I tried copying it, nothing happens. Tried zipping it up, but it just hangs; apparently, it thinks there are two files with the exact same name and won't budge. Even trying to rename it from E🙂 to P🙂 does absolutely nothing.
Anyone got a clue what's going on? The error says:

E:\LINUX 02.04.2107. Refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disc is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the internet or your network, and than try again. If it still cannot be located the information might have been moved to a different location.

The weirdest part? When I check the properties for that folder, it claims it's 0 bytes, but when I look at the actual space used on the hard drive, it shows about 45 GB—which is exactly how much data I actually moved over.

I even plugged the drive into my TV, and I could see all the pictures and folders perfectly fine there. So the data is definitely physically on the drive; I just have no idea how to get to it on my PC.

Based on how you described everything, it sounds like those are just Linux-based extensions—which means Windows won't be able to open them since it doesn't recognize the file type or the specific folder where your photos are sitting. Honestly, the easiest way around this would be to grab a Linux Mint live USB, boot your computer from that, and then just dive into that folder to find your pictures. Once you're in, you could just create a new folder on the desktop and move them all over there.

What filesystem was the HDD using? If it’s anything other than NTFS, Windows won't be able to read it.

Larry Ortiz5 said:From what you're describing, it sounds like those are Linux-specific file extensions. Of course Windows can't open them—it doesn't even recognize the file type or the folder where your photos are sitting. Your best bet would be to grab a Linux Mint live USB, boot the computer from that, jump into the folder with your pictures, and move them somewhere else. Just create a new folder on the desktop and drag them over there.

Can I actually run Ubuntu on top of Windows? Like, just install it as an app and then yank it out later?
Is running Mint that easy to set up and wipe, or am I looking at a total nightmare?

Drew Allen77 said:What kind of file system was on that HDD? If it’s anything other than NTFS, Windows isn't going to touch it.

Look, I have zero clue what the file system was. I haven't touched a single setting since the day I bought the thing. I've been dumping tons of data onto it from Linux, and everything works fine except for this last batch.

You don't even need to install it. Just boot up using that Windows Installation DVD (or a thumb drive) and move the files into a folder on your C: drive, like maybe under Documents.
After that, if Windows 10 won't read that partition, just format it as NTFS and then copy everything back over to your C: drive.

rapidsailor10 said:Is there any way to run Ubuntu on top of Windows? Like, just running it as a program and then being able to uninstall it later?
Is setting up Mint that easy—you just install it and then wipe it away when you're done—or is it a total nightmare?

It's exactly what wearymason4 was getting at in their last post.

Alright, I burned an Ubuntu installer onto a USB, but I can't get the boot menu to show up when I start my laptop. It's a Dell Inspiron 17 5000 series, and honestly, it won't even let me into the BIOS. I've been hammering away at F2, F12, Fn + F12, and Fn + F2, but nothing happens. Is there some other way to trigger this?

Finally!! Thank you so much