Disappearing data file

[wrightlj]

Good afternoon folks,

ProSeries Basic is what I'm working in.

I need to amend a 2023 return for a client, and am not the original preparer.  I understand that I need to re-create the original return, as filed.

I began that process on Monday, first downloading the 2023 software, then entering client data, then tax document data.  I don't recall how I closed down that night but on Tuesday evening, I opened ProSeries and was offered the recovery of a file that had closed (some other way than normal).   This happens rarely, but the recovery is always successful in PS Basic in my experience.  I accepted and the file was restored.  I went to work on the re-creation of data.   I took a break, drank some tea, dozed off.  Later, went to bed; computer was asleep.

Today, Wednesday, I opened the computer and noticed that all programs were closed, as often happens when updates have been applied.  I opened 2023 Basic.  The client I'm working on has been the only one in the data file as I've got 2023 with data running on an older computer.  Nothing showed in Home Base, there was no offer to recover the data file.  I looked in the Basic 2023 folder and the data folder contained no files.  

I've searched everywhere I can think of, checked recycle bin, looked for loose data files within Basic 23 folder, found nothing.

What can I do to find this file?  I did call tech support and got no helpful advice, but was directed here.   He tried to tell me that if I don't manually save my data, this is always a possibility.  I found that answer unsatisfactory because this has never happened to me before in Basic, and I checked the box directing the software to auto-save every 10 minutes.  I've often left the program open and have returned to work the next day, next hour, etc. with no problems at all.  

I get that deliberately saving the files is an option for me but the software is supposed to do this.  When it doesn't, after years/decades of perfect performance.  

Do the rest of you manually save your data every time the phone rings, or nature calls, or you need a water refill?  Gotta confess, I don't.  

Is there any guidance you can offer me about looking for that file?  I was very close to finished with the re-creation the 23 file as originally filed.

Thank you!  Please be gentle.  

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Ive got my autosave set for 1 minute, so in case of a program crash, it should recover from that 1 min save point, but it happens so rarely for me, Im not sure if its actually working or not.

But if the file completely disappears, Im not sure that would matter.

Did you give it a filename the first time you worked on it?