Desktop files randomly deleted themselves... Help!

[danifail]

Earlier today I noticed that all my files that were placed on my desktop are now missing. I haven't changed any settings, and these files are no where to be seen in my trash and they don't appear anywhere when I search for them either. This morning Firefox also crashed on me and had to restart... it was then I realised they were missing, though I don't see how this could've impacted it.

Any idea where they are or how I can recover them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[r.j.s]

Time Machine backup?

 

[danifail]

Nope. I stupidly hadn't got round to doing that.

 

[r.j.s]

Nope. I stupidly hadn't got round to doing that.

Then, unless they are just in a different place on the hard drive (e.g. somebody else moved them), they are gone.