Data Recovery

[eguiyab]

Hi Guys,

I know there are a few techies on the forum and was looking for some help. I currently use a iMac as my daily computer and have two external hard drives hooked up to it. I recently found out that one of my drives has "lost" files. I noticed a few weeks ago that it ejected itself, however did come right back when i restarted.

On further digging, as I needed a file stored on that drive, I've come to learn that a good number of folders have gone missing. The drive continues to work, and other wise seems fine. Any way to possibly and safely recover the lost files/folders?

And I am sure the files were not inadvertently deleted - Its a drive that is hardly accessed.

Thanks

[SomeGuy]

I always used to use easy recovery professional...works even on formatted/repartitioned drives. Assuming the sectors those files were on are still readable, you should have no problem.

[XTOTHEL]

First thing, disconnect the drives with the files you need recovered. Make sure nothing gets written to it at all.

Then look for someone :)

[ds2chan]

I would suggest finding some freeware recovery software that you can use on your Mac and run it. You just have to choose your harddrive and let it scan/run (it might take like 2 hours depending on the size of your harddrive). After it is done it will show you a list of files that it can recover. You just have to choose what files you want and presto. But, it might not find the file(s) you are looking for. In this case, you might have to find a recovery data center (which I have no clue where to even look). If you have a PC then it might be easier to find software for a PC. Good luck.

[leungalv]

I don't have a Mac ... but if you have access to a PC, some great programs are:

RStudio
Recuva
MiniTool Power Data Recovery

[tweak_s]

Recuva as leungalv has mentioned is awesome.

Its free too which is nice.

It seems like your drive is still functional so that is good, recuva should get everything unless you have overwritten the clusters with something else.

Data recovery gets pricey and tricky when the board of the drive fails or its stops spinning etc but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

[XTOTHEL]

Recuva as leungalv has mentioned is awesome.

Its free too which is nice.

It seems like your drive is still functional so that is good, recuva should get everything unless you have overwritten the clusters with something else.

Data recovery gets pricey and tricky when the board of the drive fails or its stops spinning etc but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Note OP is using an iMac, so two conditions have to be met to use Recuva:

1. OP's external drives are in FAT, FAT32
2. OP has access to a windows machine

Something like http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk might work better in this case.

[tweak_s]

Note OP is using an iMac, so two conditions have to be met to use Recuva:

1. OP's external drives are in FAT, FAT32
2. OP has access to a windows machine

Something like http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk might work better in this case.

Apologies!!! You are correct sir!

[leungalv]

Note OP is using an iMac, so two conditions have to be met to use Recuva:

1. OP's external drives are in FAT, FAT32
2. OP has access to a windows machine

Something like http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk might work better in this case.

At the very least R-Studio and MiniTool support Mac. :)