Recovering files from trash?

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Is it possible to recover pictures i deleted from my trash? I did this probably about 6 months to a year ago. I have never used timemachine though. So i dont know if there is any possible way to recover files.
 

RavingMac

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Assuming you emptied the trash (which is how I read your post) the chances are not real good, but may be worth trying. If you didn't empty the Trash drag them out of your trash can and should be ok.

Best bet is to try a file recovery program, don't use one from the Mac App Store (or at least any that I have tried) as they don't allow you to recover from your boot drive.
A lot of the programs have a free trial which does a scan, then expect to pay around $90 for the key to allow you to do the actual recovery. Even after 6 months you can probably recover some, just don't get your hopes/expectations up to high.

EDIT: Here is one package that I have used
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RSFNVE/?tag=macforums0e4-20
 

vansmith

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If it was months ago, you can likely consider those files long gone. The more you write to the disk, the harder it is to recover files and in a six month period, you would have had quite a few writes to the disk.
 

RavingMac

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If it was months ago, you can likely consider those files long gone. The more you write to the disk, the harder it is to recover files and in a six month period, you would have had quite a few writes to the disk.

I would generally agree, but have been able to recover files after a considerable length of time and multiple writes. Admittedly the success rate is a steeply declining curve.
Really comes down to how important the files are. If they're worth $90 and a roll of the dice then go for it. If not, take this as incentive to have and use a back up strategy.
 

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I would generally agree, but have been able to recover files after a considerable length of time and multiple writes. Admittedly the success rate is a steeply declining curve.
Out of curiosity, how far back have you been able to go?
 

RavingMac

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On SD cards I have pulled files off from more than a year before, with multiple shoots in between.
On HD I have been able to extract a fair number of files off a drive that was reformatted and then used for several months. Without reformatting easily a year or so and some files will still be recoverable.

Again, you won't get 100% . . . may only be able to pull back 5 to 10% depending on time and usage. But, if those are all the copies you have of irreplaceable pics, some is better than none.

EDIT: This is one reason I always do a 7 pass secure erase when selling or passing on a computer (or take a hammer to the hard drives).
 

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Well, that's a much higher success rate than I was expecting. I've only had to use recovery software twice (because of a PEBKAC related error) and I used it the night of or early the next day.

Oh I'm with you on the erasing - I zeroed out the HD on the last notebook I had. When my parents bought a new one (and didn't sell their old one), I took a hammer to that one as well. There wasn't anything secretive on it but I tend to be a relatively private person.
 

RavingMac

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Obviously too, the smaller the file size the greater the chance of survival. Often you can pull thumbnails of pics that can't be recovered because photo itself is corrupted.
But even there I had a pic that I had lost (back before I had a back up strategy) where 1/2 of the image was corrupt. I cropped it in preview and saved, and now I have a panoramic of the original scene. ;)
 
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Yes i had deleted what was in the trash....

It was about 50 pics i had deleted from the trash. What recovery software should i get? I would like to at least try to save the files.
 

RavingMac

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If you look at my first post you will find a link to one package. I would reccommend doing a google search to look at alternatives. And, again, many packages have a free trial download.

Though honestly best to run off DVD as the more you use your HD the worse your recovery chances.
 
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If you look at my first post you will find a link to one package. I would reccommend doing a google search to look at alternatives. And, again, many packages have a free trial download.

Though honestly best to run off DVD as the more you use your HD the worse your recovery chances.

What do you mean run from DVD? sorry not sure i understand
 

RavingMac

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Most of the recovery programs can be run from the DVD without installing first to your HD. This eliminates additional overwriting of files.
Instructions will come with the program if you decide to go that route.
 
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Most of the recovery programs can be run from the DVD without installing first to your HD. This eliminates additional overwriting of files.
Instructions will come with the program if you decide to go that route.

Any cheaper programs that would be as good? or am i looking at 100 bucks?
 

RavingMac

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Look around, and good luck, but unfortunately I haven't seen any free file recovery programs for Mac like there are for Windows.

If you find a good cheap one post back. Otherwise consider the $100 spent a great incentive to set up and use a back up strategy.

EDIT: Also, just to restate, there is no guarantee you will recover any pics you care about. I have had good success, and you may too or may not. You have to decide whether the pics are worth the chance and cost.
 

chscag

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Check the Mac App store. Data Rescue 3 can be purchased there for only $59 versus the $99 you would have to pay when downloaded from their web site. Still expensive, but highly effective. Make sure you download and use it from a flash drive or external hard drive. Do not install it direct on your machine as it may overwrite what you're trying to recover.
 

RavingMac

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Check the Mac App store. Data Rescue 3 can be purchased there for only $59 versus the $99 you would have to pay when downloaded from their web site. Still expensive, but highly effective. Make sure you download and use it from a flash drive or external hard drive. Do not install it direct on your machine as it may overwrite what you're trying to recover.

I bought Data Rescue 3 from the Mac APP Store, but what they don't make clear is you can't use it on your Boot Drive. It will only scan external drives.

EDIT: I have an older version of Data Rescue, but decided the $59 was worth upgrading to the latest version. I wish I had saved my money and bought the DvD version.
 

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I wonder if it would scan your boot drive if it were installed on a clone. In other words, suppose someone installed this before needing it. The program is also installed on a clone of the boot drive. Then I delete something I need. Can I boot from the clone and attempt a recovery.
 

chscag

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I bought Data Rescue 3 from the Mac APP Store, but what they don't make clear is you can't use it on your Boot Drive. It will only scan external drives.

Yes you can use it on your boot drive. Here's how:

Use CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone of your hard drive. Boot from the clone and use DR 3 from there to scan the internal hard drive. I use it that way and it works.
 

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Yes you can use it on your boot drive. Here's how:

Use CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone of your hard drive. Boot from the clone and use DR 3 from there to scan the internal hard drive. I use it that way and it works.
Thanks for confirming that this works. I figured it should have been possible.
 

RavingMac

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Yes you can use it on your boot drive. Here's how:

Use CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone of your hard drive. Boot from the clone and use DR 3 from there to scan the internal hard drive. I use it that way and it works.

Thanks for the tip!

For some reason that never occurred to me, and I already have a bootable clone of my HD. :p
 

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