Lost files and HD Icon

[iamchristine]

For some reason my HD Icon that is always up in the top right corner is missing. Also, all my files and photos are missing. I have no idea what happened to them. Would anyone be able to advise me on this?
[doublepost=1460487228][/doublepost]Also can't open my trash or reboot the computer.
It is a Mac OS X Version 10.6.3
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
[doublepost=1460488483][/doublepost]

For some reason my HD Icon that is always up in the top right corner is missing. Also, all my files and photos are missing. I have no idea what happened to them. Would anyone be able to advise me on this?
[doublepost=1460487228][/doublepost]Also can't open my trash or reboot the computer.
It is a Mac OS X Version 10.6.3
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

I just realized I can't quit firefox either. Not even force quit.

 

[Tomorrow]

Sounds like you might have a corrupted partition. Do you have a backup?

 

[iamchristine]

No I don't have a backup. What is a corrupted partition?
[doublepost=1460498049][/doublepost]When I try to shut down the computer, it won't as firefox is still open.
[doublepost=1460499529][/doublepost]Problem solved ! I just unplugged my computer and plugged it back in again. Everything is fine now. I don't get it, but I am happy again.

 

[Ebenezum]

I recommend backup to external drive as quickly as possible with Time Machine or Disk Utility. Afterwards you should test internal drive with Disk Utility (Verify Disk) because what you described isn't normal. If Disk Utility finds errors you have to boot from another disk to repair the drive (such as the DVD which came with your Mac). If errors are too severe Disk Utility won't be able to repair the drive.

Also see what SMART values are reported in Disk Utility (select upper Macintosh HD, press Info button) and post the screenshot here if possible.

 

[Gregg2]

Problem solved ! I just unplugged my computer and plugged it back in again. Everything is fine now. I don't get it, but I am happy again.

Try not to do that very often, or it will become the answer to your first question.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
A couple of things you should do:

First, as others have advised, you must get an external drive and create for yourself a backup.

I'd suggest that you use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.
Either of these will create a BOOTABLE cloned backup that you can use to boot and run the computer in an emergency.
You can download CCC version 3.5.7 (which is compatible with Snow Leopard and is FREE to use) by clicking this link:
http://bombich.com/software/download_ccc.php?v=3.5.7&l=alternate

Second, you are using 10.6.3, which should be updated to the final version of 10.6, which is 10.6.8.
You can download the combo 10.6.8 updater from here:
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1400?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Just download from that link and run the updater.

Get busy, girl!