Big Mess: Deleted topics from Project Content folder

[nardi point]

In an effort to provide files for SME review, I built my project then removed topics from what I thought was the OUTPUT Content folder ... but it was the project CONTENT folder instead. After I died several times when I returned to Flare and saw my content diminished by 90%, I went to the OUTPUT Content folder and copied the topic files and pasted them back into the Project CONTENT folder. I was thrilled to see the topics back into Flare. HOWEVER, now when I open a topic it kicks a dialog error "Do you want to "Convert to XML Wizard?"

If I choose "Yes" it opens looking good but the images are missing. Should I convert each file one by one (200 topics) and then build my project to restore files with images? Please help. Thanks

[RamonS]

Copying the output file into the project folder is not a good idea, because anything that was added during compiling is now part of the source. You will end up with duplicate stuff and an equally big, if not bigger mess down the road.
I assume that you do not have a backup of the project and that you do not use source control (and after this big mess you will create frequent backups and use source control, right? ). Your best bet is to open the output in a browser and copy and paste the content into new topics. That way you should also be able to 'download' the images and insert them where necessary. Once done you need to hook these topics back into the ToC and recreate / reassign map IDs and aliases if you use those. And of course you need to fix and recreate links.

So you say 90% missing? You got your work cut out for you. And make a backup right away from the existing 10%. No need to lose even more.

[nardi point]

Thanks ... it is a mess. But I'd already copied the files back into window explorer Project CONTENT so I've essentially added all that back into Source. What about that Convert to XML message? On the file I tested, it looked okay except for the missing image files. When I hover I see the file name and can insert it back in. Is that an approach?

[RamonS]

No, because that is copying the output files into your content folder, means considering output to be a new source file. Variables would no longer get updated, master page content gets applied twice, and scripting would be added twice. I don't know how complex the topics are, but all those who copied output files to the content folder did not like the problems it caused.

[i-tietz]

I suppose you already emptied the "trash" in Windows? Then I agree with RamonS.

Better luck (for the) next time:
Create a .bat or .cmd file that deletes the output folder for you. - That's safer ...