Missing originals

Lightroom 2.7.  I downloaded 400 images from a job.  When I went to work on them a couple of days later, they were all "missing or offline" along with a couple hundred other images. I never erased them and I could still see the thumbnail.  I did not know what folder the originals were saved at until I read another discussion that said to click the ? and relink the photos.  I did it to one and it came back but sent the rest of the images to !.  Good think is now I know where the originals are and feel I can proceed with the photo job. 
Anyone have any idea why and how this happened so that it never happens again?
Thanks!

There are numerous reasons why you get the ? for missing images
Your images are stored on an external HD, and the drive letter has changed (Windows only)
You have used your operating system or an external program to move or rename the photos or the folder they are stored in
You have deleted the photos using your operating system or an external program (sounds like this didn't happen)
Advice ... if you must move or rename your photos or folders, do it inside of Lightroom. Better yet, develop a workflow that doesn't require moves or renaming.
Advice #2 ... learn how to use the Import dialog box so the photos are imported to the location that you want the photos to be in
Advice #4 ... (I forgot what number 3 is) Learn some Lightroom basics, because Lightroom is different than any other program you have used in the past. It works differently. I know what you're saying: How different can it be? Very different. Just because you have learned other photographic software, that doesn't mean you know how to use LR. The forums are littered with people who have found themselves in this situation, they think they know how to use LR and wind up getting in trouble. Do yourself a favor and find some of the many good videos and tutorials out there. Here's a good place to start: Dude, where are my photos?

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