Question: How was it possible that all my files and programs reappeared after re-installation of Debian?
Background: After giving a Raspberry Pi to my grandson for Christmas, I worked with him to learn how to use it and Debian. Then, returning home, I resurrected and old Vaio laptop and replaced the old hard drive with a SSD and installed a fresh Debian Linux system on the laptop. I used the method suggested of a thumb drive with the Debian image on it for complete installation. After apt-get and other steps, I had a working Debian Linux laptop.
I agressively loaded the laptop with Linux programs and made many ill advised mistakes, especially loading and installing programs for "arm" machine because I learned that from the RPi4. But my laptop was x86-64 and not "arm" at all. I had some program problems.
So, I decided to start fresh, and re-install Debian for a clean Linux laptop. I choose Google Drive to save the multitude of files I had saved during my Python learning exercises, plus Libre writer many personal documents. I did the re-install of Debian from the thumb drive. It happened quickly and I was happy. It was a fresh laptop with none of my old files or added programs on it. I went back to google drive to get my files and the folder was empty! I had made a loading error to google drive and had not checked the drive after thinking I had transferred all my old files into it. So, all was lost.
I went to bed and the next morning turned on the Vaio laptop and VIOLA! Everything was returned to as-before the re-installation. All programs were installed, and all my 800 files in my document folder were there.
While happy, I decided to register in this forum and ask the question, How did this re-installation happen without my input or using a clone program beforehand???? Spooky or totally normal?
Thanks,
Happy in NC, USA.
Opie