While I do agree that Stuart's experience was frustrating, perhaps (1) a good practice would be to do a backup of your system periodically to avoid this nonsense, and as well (2) try going back to the store that sold you the computer, asking them for help.

Chances are, they'd go the extra mile, whereas a minimum-wage call center flunky who sits insulated, at the end of the telephone line, won't.

There's something about looking into the white's of their eyes, that seems to break-through bureaucratic nonsense at times.