File recovery from a "bad" hard drive?

My macbook air was giving me the flashing-question-mark-folder. I took it into the apple store and they told me my hard drive "went bad" and has to be replaced. I don't have a back up (stupid, I know)- is there really NO way to get my files recovered? (the guy at the store was kinda rude and I got the feeling he wasn't trying very hard...)

For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
Find out how to do that here.
How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod to a computer.
For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Another free program is Pod Player.
SharePod is also freeware.

Similar Messages

  • File recovery from ipod to hard drive

    I lost files on my hard drive, but still have them on my ipod. Is there a way to restore my hard drive from my ipod?

    For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
    Find out how to do that here.
    How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod to a computer.
    For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
    Enable your iPod for disk use.
    See: iPod Disk Use.
    Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
    Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
    Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
    The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
    If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
    Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
    Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
    One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
    Another free program is Pod Player.
    SharePod is also freeware.

  • How can I copy file/folders from and to hard drives? How can I have two or more windows of explorer so that I can drag and drop from one hard drive to another?

    Hi,
    I am a new customer (purchased last week) of MacBookPro (latest) and its my first ever Apple laptop.
    I am almost lost to find the operating tools.
    1. How can I copy files from hard drive to computer and vis-a-versa?
    2. Only can browse one but how can I have two or more browses at the same time like in MS windows?
    3. No right click works on track pad?
    4. Is there application/ program compatible to MS office? If so how much and how can I purchase?
    5. Is there AutoCAD program that is compatible to MS Window AutoCAD? and if yes how much and how can I purchase?
    I will very much appreciate if you could email me the with the solution/answers please.
    Regards,
    Khagendra Limbu

    1) For some reason this happens once in a while with FAT32 enabled external harddrives. I have no idea why this happens but it most easily solved by reformatting the drive. First make sure you've copied everything from the external drive to your internal harddrive. You've done this earlier so I assume you know how to do this.
    Now the reformatting part. Open Finder and go to Applications. Look for the folder called "Utilities". Click on it. In it you find a program called "Disk Utility". Click on it. Now look for the external drive. You probably see two entries for the disk. Click on the one that contains the name of the drive NOT the one that describes the disk (Like for example 320.07 GB Samsung S2 Portable Media).
    Now you see four tabs in the righthand part of the window. They're called "First Aid", "Erase", "RAID" and "Restore". Click on "Erase". This opens the tab with (amongst others) a dropdownbox (Format) and a textbox (Name) . In the dropdownbox select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Take note! This selection disables usage of the drive with Windows PC's. If your goal is to share the drive with Windows PC's select the MS-DOS FAT option.
    Enter a label for the drive in the textbox Name. Now click on the button "Erase". This will format the drive.
    Now when it's done you can copy back all the items you've copied to your internal harddrive earlier.
    2) Opening two windows like Explorer on Windows is opening two Finder windows on the Mac. Simply click on the background. In the menubar you items like 'Finder", "File", "Edit", "View", et cetera. Click on "File" and "New Finder Window". Do this two times. Alternatively you can click on the background and press CMD-N two times.
    3) You can right click on the trackpad. This however depends on if you've enabled the feature in System Preferences. In the topmenubar click on the Apple icon and select "System Preferences". Now look for Trackpad in Hardware. Click on it. You see three tabs with the names "Point & Click", "Scroll & Zoom" and "More Gestures". Select "Point & Click" and look for "Secondary Click'. Make sure it is checked and make sure it has written "Click or tap with two fingers" written beneath "Secondary Click". When you're done exit System Preferences. Now select the background and tap with two fingers on the trackpad. This should open the contextuel menu with options like "New Folder", "Get Info" et cetera.

  • I can't manually drag files to/from my external hard drive to my macbook air!

    My laptop is running on 10.9.4 (freshly installed, quite literally two days ago).
    I have all permissions to read and write on my hard drive, and it is formatted in MS-DOS (FAT32). It worked yesterday when I moved music on the laptop but now when I try to move other files (even within the hard drive itself) I can't. Help please! The only way I can move anything to and from the hard drive is to copy-paste is but I cannot manually drag anything.

    Can you drag files to or from any folder?

  • Data recovery from serially installed hard drives

    Like many other users on these boards, by X205 is refusing to boot.
    My question: How can I recover the data on my hard drives, since there are two of them?
    I ran a search to find all of the files I wanted (*.jpg in this case), and the search came back with hundreds of files (photos) that I am trying to recover....but it won't let me open them up.
    I'm guessing since the drives are installed in series in this machine, somehow I need to find a way to read them both to access these files?
    Any help is appreciated!

    > {quote:title=rok_hunter wrote:}{quote}
    > Like many other users on these boards, by X205 is refusing to boot.
    >
    > My question: How can I [recover the data on my hard drives , since there are two of them?
    >
    > I ran a search to find all of the files I wanted (*.jpg in this case), and the search came back with hundreds of files (photos) that I am trying to recover....but it won't let me open them up.
    > I'm guessing since the drives are installed in series in this machine, somehow I need to find a way to read them both to access these files?
    >
    > Any help is appreciated!
    You might be able to hook it up externally and run some data recovery software on the drive...
    That being said, you'd need probably need to buy the software, since this type of recovery is a little more advanced and will need to rebuild the control table/data.

  • Can I pull iWeb files back from MobileMe after hard drive failure?

    I suffered a recent hard drive failure and while I had my pictures backed up I didn't have my iWeb files back up and don't want to start the website from scratch if at all possible. Is there any way to save the files I uploaded to MobileMe back to my computer so I can continue my website?

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Chapter 2.3 of the iWeb FAQ.org site has tips on using some of the existing image, audio and/or video files in the published site in the reconstruction of the site.
    OT

  • HT201250 Data recovery from WD Elements Hard drive after Time Machine formatted it

    I plugged my brother in laws WD Elements hard drive into my MacBook Pro. It asked me if I wished to use this drive as my time machine back up to which I answered no. I was going to copy and paste some movies onto his drive. I  not sure how it occurred but Time Machine has now "partitioned or formatted " the drive and erased all data that was on it. The drive appears empty on my MacBook and is now unrecognisable on his PC computer. The drive had some important documents and I am praying that I somehow can recover them. Does anyone have Amy suggestions as to where to start ?? Please help !!!

    It probably got reformated to a Mac specification which is why the PC can't recognise it. I am not sure if any of the mac recovery programs would work but maybe someone else can advise you. One of the professional recovery businesses could help but are very expensive.

  • Slow file transfer from USB 3 hard drive connected to EA6300

    Hi,
    I have a 1T external hard drive USB 3 connected to my EA6300 and I have a transfer rate of 3MB/s on my macbook air (AC wifi).
    If I connect the HD to my imac and create a network share I go up to 25MB/s (from macbook air). So it's not a wifi issue, I suspect more an issue at the USB / resource management level.
    Did someone experience the same issue? 
    Thanks for you help

    Hi,
    What is the brand and model of your external hard drive? It might be a compatibility issue.
    I have a 1TB Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex (portable) and it doesn’t have a problem. I made sure that the firmware of my router is updated and did a reset  after the upgrade and configured it manually.  Also, I removed the hard drive before I did the router update.
    I used another hard drive and both of them have no issues with transfer rates.
    I do believe that your transfer rate concern is directly related to the usb hard drive compatibility of EA6300.
    You might need to check this website so you can see if your hard drive is compatible with your router.
    List of tested USB hard drives and printers for the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router, EA6300

  • Backup and recovery from an external hard-drive to another

    Hi sirs/madams,
    I have two external hard drives and one of them is acting really weird, lagging and it became so very very slow compared to before.
    So I want to back everything up in it into the other external hard drive, I wanted to used the Disk Utility but got scared, didn't want to play with it and then lose all the work of two years.
    So the question here is how to backup all the data from hard drive 1 to hard drive 2 and then recover the data back from hard drive 2 to hard drive 1?
    Thanks in advance.

    sara-alain wrote:
    You're kidding, right?
    1.2 TB of data will take nearly 10 bloody hours to be moved into another HDD.
    Please give me a professional solution
    A 'professional' solution?  All retina MBPs have Thunderbolt capability so use that to transfer data.  It will reduce transfer time by 50% or more depending upon what protocol you are using.  If your MBP has Thunderbolt 2, the transfer times will be twice as fast as 'plain' Thunderbolt.
    Ciao.

  • How to recover Bookmarks from a bad hard drive

    I have a hard drive that Windows will no longer boot on. I was able to copy much of the drive to a folder in my reinstalled hard drive.
    Is there any way to find the old bookmarks and put it in my reinstalled hard drive?
    Thanks,
    I Kneed2No

    The [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder] is in a hidden location:
    * XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
    * Vista/Windows 7: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
    "Application Data" in XP/Win2K and "AppData" in Vista/Windows 7 are hidden folders.
    See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders
    * [[Recovering important data from an old profile]]
    * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox

  • Can I recover data from a reformatted hard drive?  I did not do a back up prior to talking to Apple Support and the guy having me delete the hard drive and start anew.  My bad but is all lost??

    Can I recover data from a reformatted hard drive?  I did not complete a back up prior to talking to Apple Support and the guy having me delete the hard drive (10.5.8) and start anew (10.6.3).  My bad but is all lost?? Years of very important information....

    You will need to purchase reovery sofware such as such as FileSalvage
    http://subrosasoft.com/software/filesalvage
    You can download a demo copy that will tell you what it can recover
    If you want to recover that you must pay for the software then
    When you do the recovery, you will need another disk drive to receive the recovered files
    Having install a new operating system on the disk after the retformat is going to gradually reduce the amount of data that this software will be able to recover for you
    Allan

  • Copying files from a dead hard drive

    How do I repopulate files (Touchsmart 600) from my old hard drive?  I have the files on an external drive and have a desktop copy on the newly formatted machine.  Tried recovery and restore options with no luck.  any help is appreciated.

    i'm going to assume you have a TS600 whom's hdd failed, but you managed to make a raw copy of all the data on it before you replaced the hdd with a new one.  then you recovered the TS600  with your recovery discs.  so now you have your TS600 up and running, but want to 'restore' your previous setting such as your wallpaper, files in their old locations, email, internet favourites and etc.
    if that is the case then there is no known way to achive what you want automatically - it needs to be done manually (which is kind of better in a lot of ways, you get the control).
    you can migrate settings and files from one pc to another quite easily, but not from a copy of the files you have made on a external hdd.
    hope this helps....most of your files should be found under c:\windows\users
    regards davida
    "Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP"

  • HT201250 Is there a possibility to recover erased files from an external hard drive that was reformatted by the Time Machine?

    Is there a possibility to recover erased files from an external hard drive that was reformatted by the Time Machine?

    Basics of File Recovery
    Files in Trash
    If you simply put files in the Trash you can restore them by opening the Trash (left-click on the Trash icon) and drag the files from the Trash to your Desktop or other desired location.  OS X also provides a short-cut to undo the last item moved to the Trash -press COMMAND-Z.
    If you empty the Trash the files are gone. If a program does an immediate delete rather than moving files to the Trash, then the files are gone.  Recovery is possible but you must not allow any additional writes to the hard drive - shut it down. When files are deleted only the directory entries, not the files themselves, is modified. The space occupied by the files has been returned to the system as available for storage, but the files are still on the drive. Writing to the drive will then eventually overwrite the space once occupied by the deleted files in which case the files are lost permanently. Also if you save a file over an existing file of the same name, then the old file is overwritten and cannot be recovered.
    General File Recovery
    If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro.  Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive.  Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and TestDisk.  Look for them and demos at MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.
    The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.
    Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.

  • Can I save my files from a failing hard drive?

    Sorry if this is kind of long. I booted up the system off the Mac OS X disc after getting startup errors. I ran the Disk Utility and it could not verify or repair the hard disk. S.M.A.R.T. status reads "failing" in red. My best guess it that the hard drive is on it's way out. Tried to save my files by making and image file of the hard disk and putting it on an external drive, but I got an error and it wouldn't save. Put the system in Target Disk mode and tried to access the files from another Mac connected via FireWire, but it wouldn't mount on the second Mac's desktop. I checked Disk Utility and it was creating multiple images of the first Mac's hard disk and failed to mount. Is there any other way to retrieve the files from the failing hard drive? I'd appreciate any assistance on this.

    Maybe, but at this stage, I'd boot from a data recovery tool, such as those listed on my FAQ*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html#RECOVER
    If none of those work, you may want to consider a data recovery service, depending on the value of the said files.
    Moral of the story, always backup your data*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
    It is not a question of if data will be lost, but when.

  • Safe to delete file from Time Machine hard drive?

    Is it safe to delete a file from an external hard drive that's being used for Time Machine backups? The file is not a backup -- it's a .dmg from the manufacturer of the hard drive. Other than that one file, I don't use the drive for anything other than Time Machine.
    I'm just concerned because I don't want deleting the file to affect Time Machine in any way.
    Thank you.

    I have done it without issue.

Maybe you are looking for