ALL Files corrupted including (JPG's and Photoshop 6)on Hard drive w/ OS9

Question

I am new to this forum as of now; so I hope i can ask the right way!
I have(HAD) a iMac G3 DV slot with 10GB hard drive(Running only OS 9.2.2)- That i had to take in for repair (turned out to be bad video card or something) - BUT: The repairman corrupted ALL my files!!! (That iMac is gone now- but i have the left over drive(laying here for 2 years or so now) with MANY original photos - Before I had any other external drives or other Mac's to back up on) I can see the directory and open folders but the applications like Photoshop CAN NOT recognize a simple JPG or PSD or anyother file.
How i know this is: I (finally could) put the hard drive inside my (new) POWERMAC G4 MDD and tried to access Norton Disk DR to repair files, but it would not work I guess because OS X tiger overrides OS 9 classic/ BUT the hard drive itself is apparently fully functional and could be reformatted and used. (NOTE:I did get a replacement iMac G3 DV model with new hard drive)
I have tried everything and i have searched online for answers( til I am literally blue in the face!)
I am at a brick wall.
the only thing I think I could try is; take apart my old FUNCTIONAL iMac G3 and stick in the corrupted hard drive and try to boot up from the NORTON SYSTEM WORKS Disc for OS 9 and run Disk DR.
- Taking apart the machine seems like a bunch of risky work, but my files are UNREABLE and therefore unusable - lost.
does any one have any ideas? and is swapping hard drives and trying to boot up with Norton worth it?

Answer 1

Richard:
*_This sounds logical about using the firewire to send the drive info to the iMac. The only part i think I will still have problem with is STARTING UP IN TARGET MODE_*.
That was one of those issues i ran into with trying to get the old disk to run while _in MDD_.
I also checked my software box and i _was mistaked about what software came with_ my Compact Flash cards; it is just for memory cards recovery. and it was Not DR II_.
i tried to email you: but truthfully i do not know how these forums work too much. and i have a big wiggly cat tring to take over my keyboard as i speak!
*My question first;* *is HOW CAN I GET A START UP IN TARGET MODE ( OR WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IF I HAVE A OS9 HD INSIDE THAT IS ILL?)
_I GET THE IDEA OF USING THE IMAC AS A HOST FOR THAT ILL DRIVE_. BUT FROM ALL THAT HOURS AND HOURS OF WORK I DID FROM THIS MDD MACHINE _I QUESTION IF "I" AM CAPABLE OF CONTROLING THE MACHINE TO DO WHAT YOU SUGGESTED....?_ with TRAGET mode start up?
if you have any hints to help me "get it", i think (along with this cat here) we can give a good effort!
Also, I will check into the free part of Data Rescue II, and see if that can be used.
I want to try this before any SURGURY!!
*AND yes you are sure right about the "NORTON FOUND ERROR" and "MACHINE IS QUITTING NOW" thing, that stonewalled me in sorts while i was trying to use it on this MDD, but the other man(JEFF) said i could not use CLASSIC MODE with my Norton OS 9 program anyway. but I hacked at it for long enough!
THANKS So much.
I will take it one thing at a time at this point. everyone is being great with this info!
I think us MAC folks are great anyway.
**I saw on CNN tonight that in the amount of emails sent every day - 2 million per second are sent and 70% is spam and virus. THAT IS the WIndows OS world for you. the spam i understand to a point, they're selling some crap. but virus activity is well; counter productive and I have things to do that are productive. (confession; i do have a cheap, windows xp laptop too)
-- SO IN MY QUEST FOR HELP HERE: THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE reached out to me so far (and I appologise for my lack of OS X knowledge) it hasn't helped i have been feeling ill myself! but i try to keep at it.
Photogirl - BARBARA
Message was edited by: PhotoGirl1959