So, what happened is by older laptop crashed. I had a new one copied the files form backup drive, including LEAP areas (as folders from ...Users/.....Documents/LEAP Areas). But as I try to access the file, the Open list no more shows the leap files within the folder.
If I am correct, there used to be some way to refresh the list, but i could not find it anymore. My old laptop is no more workable, so no question of backing the areas as .leap file.
is there a way around this?

Couple of things to check:

1. In the LEAP settings - check the folders tab to make sure it is pointed at the folder where you are actually storing your older areas. I suspect this may be what is happening...

2. If it is, check to see if the the folders contain the basic files LEAP expects. For example, look for files named masterstructure.nx1, scenariodata.nx1 and staticdata.nx1. These are three of the key files used to define an area.

Let me know what happens!

Best of luck and sorry for your (data) loss!

Charlie