How to recover data from the hard drive?

I've always heard that data is never really gone from the hard drive even after you delete it. How do I recover that data? My problem is some photos (my honeymoon photos) have been deleted from my computer and they have also been deleted from the recycle bin. I sure would like to recover them.

First stop using your system, then get a copy of a program that will recover files like Data Rescue 3.  If you have a time machine backup you may be able to restore them. 

Similar Messages

  • How to recover data from bad hard drive

    Once a hard drive goes bad (cannot get into the computer), is there any hope of recovering any data from it?  If so, how?

    Do you mean the hard drive is mechanically broken for sure?  It's not a data corruption issue that is causing a problem with starting up the Mac, but maybe not be a bad mechanism?
    If the drive is definitely broken, there are businesses that specialize in recovering data from bad hard drives.  For example
    http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/  (I always saw their booth at MacWorld Expos...)
    The cost of such services is usually high.
    cannot get into the computer
    So that probably means the hard drive in question is the internal drive?  If you don't know for sure that the hard drive is physically broken, you can try starting up using your Mac OS X installation disc.  Insert disc in optical drive and start up with the C key held down.  When you get to Installer's screen, go up to the menu bar and run Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.  Does the internal drive appear in the Disk Utility sidebar?
    Alternately, if you have another Mac (that has FireWire), you can try starting the Mac with the problem in FireWire Target Disk Mode,
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
    Connect the "target" Mac to the other Mac (running normally) using a FireWire cable.  Run Disk Utility on that Mac.  Does the hard drive of the Mac in FireWire Target Disk Mode appear in the sidebar?
    If you can get the internal drive to appear in Disk Utility, you may be able to run Repair Disk on the First Aid tab.  There are also third-party utilities, such as TechTool Pro (Micromat), Drive Genius (Prosoft), and Disk Warrior (Alsoft), that may be able to fix (or at least recover data from) the hard drive.

  • How to recover data from a hard drive with bad blocks?

    An external hard drive, 4TB Iomega...connected via eSATA cable...had a power outage and the drive won't be read by OSX now.  (Yes, it was on a surge protector and no I did not have a backup.  I was actually preparing for the process of creating a backup when the power went out!)  Anyway, I have tried using Data Rescue 3 and DiskDrill to try and recover data from the drive.  I can recover the first 1/3 of the drive, but it ejects when either app tries to access the bad block.  Can anyone tell me how/what software to use to recover the data?  I know there are programs that will avoid the bad block but I've only found them for Windows.  Are there any that will do such a thing in Lion?  Any help will be appreciated...and no, I can not afford a data recovery service.  Trying to do this on my own.

    Basics of 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.

  • The logic board on my MacBook Pro has failed. How do I retrieve all my data from the hard drive?

    The logic board on my MacBook Pro has failed. How do I retrieve all my data from the hard drive?

    Remove the drive and put it in an external enclosure. Backup the drive completely. Repartition and format the drive. Replace the drive into the computer. Take the computer in for the logicboard replacement.

  • Recover data from external hard drive that was Windows format and connected on a Macbook Pro. Did I lose everything? What happened?

    Hi there this is my first question here!
    I connected my external hard drive originally formatted on PC on my new Macbook. The first time I connected it I could see all my files but today I connected it and after I couldn't see any file nor even on my pc appears as NO NAME with a different name and nothing on it. I think was reformatted, any help to recover all my data?
    It's really important stuff for me

    If the Apple Store couldn't get files off of the drive, it is unlikely that you will be able to. If you have backups, those would be the best way to go. You could also try booting up the computer and holding down T to boot into Target Disk Mode. Plug the broken computer into another one with FireWire and see if it works to recover data from external hard drive. If you can see it, try booting up the broken computer while holding down Option. Choose Recovery HD from the menu, then choose to Reinstall OS X.
    It is unlikely that this will work, because I'm pretty sure that the Apple Store would have tried this. You could try using expensive software to get files off the drive, but it would be risky and the results might not be any good.
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4273

  • What is the best way to remove personal data from the hard drive in preparation for selling my old Mac?

    I am going to sell or perhaps donate my old Power Mac G5.  Is there an easier, yet comprehensive way to remove my data from the hard-drive?  My best approach is dumping anything I do not want found into the trash.
    I am running Mac OS 10.5.8 on the powermac G5

    For better security than the simple Erase (which does not actually over-write the data blocks, only clears the directory), choose Security Options, and Zero all data, one pass.
    After a Zero all data, the only way to recover the data is to dis-assemble the drive in a clean room and use expensive test gear to recover a little of the data. That is good for all but Military Secrets.
    If you really trust no one under any circumstances, remove the drive and beat it to death with a hammer.

  • Recovering data from "crashed" hard drive - white macbook

    I have a 13" white macbook (my daughter's macbook). It looks like the hard drive crashed. She took it to Apple store they told her they can replace the hard drive (still under Apple care), but I am trying to get the data from the hard drive.
    I pulled the hard drive out of the macbook, and put it in a external hard drive enclosure, with USB2 connector. Unfortunately I have to connect the USB to a Windows PC, since that's what I have (she took my PowerBook for school work). The wondows machine does not recognize the hard drive. I tried to connect to a Vista machine and an XP machine same problem.
    Do I have to connect it to a Mac to be able to recognize this hard drive? I thought as long as I put it in a external disk enclosure I will be able to recognize it even with Windows machine.
    I would appreciate any help.
    p.s. I do hear (faint) clicking noise from the hard drive - both when it is in the macbook and when it is in the external enclosure.
    Thanks.

    The enclosure is format "agnostic". A drive could conceivably be formatted in several different Apple formats; HFS+ (aka Mac OS Extended) is likely what you have. There's Windows based FAT32 or NTFS.
    Windows doesn't properly recognize Mac drive formats unless you add software. There are a couple of commercial tools that might work.
    http://www.macdisk.com/mden.php3
    tp://www.paragon-software.com/home/hfs-windows/

  • Recovering data from external hard drive

    I backed up music,pictures and personal documents
    It said backup was successful, I they to retrieve some documents and none of the those files were in that restored folder

    Very similar with your experience 
    Last time when I was in Rio, I took part in the famous Carnival there with my boyfriend and we took a lot of interesting photos there. About one week ago, one of my friends asked me to show her the photos. However, it turned out to be inaccessible and the PC can not read the data on the drive. And the PC suggested me to format the external hard drive for reusing it again.
    people often lose their data from External hard drive, a handy external hard drive data recovery software will be highly recommended to you, ---- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
    Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Then click next button
    Select the disk where you lost your data and click Scan button, the software will quickly scan the selected disk to find your target files.
    Watch the video below, step by step, you can recover your data.
     https://youtu.be/ZA4XzL1mD1s

  • Trying to Recover Data from broken Hard Drive - Device Wont Show in Finder

    I just had the hard drive replaced in my intel iMac (the old one isn't working properly). The apple store folks told me they would not do any data recovery off the old drive, but suggested I might be able to get a SATA to USB adapter and plug the old drive in the computer.
    The first time I plugged the old hard drive it showed up in the finder and I began transferring the old file. 6 GB into it the transfer stopped and the the old hard drive disappeared from the finder. Now the drive wont appear in the finder HOWEVER when I unplug it I get the "Device Removal" error.
    A little about my broken drive:
    Its a Western Digital 320 GB. Its not making any clicking sounds or anything, which makes me think it might just be the circuit board which is replaceable. But I don't want to waste $50 on a new circuit board if thats not the problem.
    Any suggestions?

    Basics of 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.

  • Hard drive replaced on imac how to restore data from external hard drive

    Hard drive crashed, replaced by authorized dealer.  Need to transfer all data from external hard drive to repaired computer.

    http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/14.html
    See especially C.

  • How to properly recover data from "broken" hard drive?

    Hello Mac users,
    I have a mid 2012 Mountain Lion MacBook Pro. My hard drive recently failed. As I have been working in Thailand, I decided to bring my laptop an Authorized Service Provider (Macintosh Center Co., Ltd.) in Bangkok. Their diagnostic was that my hard drive wasnt working anymore, and I had to change it. The problem is, since I had no backup, I asked them to recover my data and transfer to the new hard drive. But, this Apple Authorized Service Provider told me I had to go somewherelse because they have no software to recover my data! So, I went to the local Joe's repair computer store who retrieved my data from the problematic hard drive to the new one. Now, the problem is that all my "old" data is located in "orphan folders". In other words, counteless files were retrieved without folders and settings.
    So, I would like to know if it is possible to recover my data with all the settings I had and then transfer it to my new hard drive. If it's possible, what software should I use to properly recover my data? If it's not possible, how should I deal with the "orphan folders" and my current settings?
    Thanks in advance for your help.

    First stop using your system, then get a copy of a program that will recover files like Data Rescue 3.  If you have a time machine backup you may be able to restore them. 

  • Recover data from External Hard Drive

    Hi, I was copying some .avi files from my laptop (latest Snow Leopard version) to a Iomega ScreenPlay Pro HD 1Tb and suddenly my electric power shutted down.
    There was a copying error message and then inside the hard drive there was only some of the data I was copying. The prevoius one was gone.
    Do you know what is happening? Are the files hidden somewhere? Can I retrieve/recover them somehow?
    Please help me. It would be very thankful.
    PS: I have never used Time Machine.

    Before doing anything else, boot from your SL install disc and use Disk Utility to repair the HD on the laptop. If repairs are shown, run repair disc again until DU reports no problems. Next, do the same for the external drive.
    From there, restart from the laptop and check that all the files you were copying are OK.
    How you proceed from there depends on what you find, but don't create new files or folders until you know all is well on the laptop; if you need to recover data it will be easier if nothing is overwritten.

  • Recover data from wiped hard drive?

    Hi everyone.
    I’ve searched through the discussions unable to make any concrete conclusions to resolve my dilemma so I hope someone here can help me out if possible.
    My Macbook Pro 13 inch (late-2011) running Mavericks had its hard drive recently wiped by an Apple technician after I took it in following problems.
    I stupidly didn’t back up any files onto an external hard drive or in TimeMachine when my hard drive was working before. However, from reading these discussions it appears other people with wiped hard drives have been able to recover data with some success. I’d like to know if this is at all possible in my situation?
    To put my dilemma into some context, only days ago my Macbook began to freeze up. Eventually I had to force shut down with the power button as the computer became unresponsive.
    Afterwards, when I turned on the computer the OS would not load past the grey screen with the apple logo. I attempted to perform a boot in Safe Mode but encountered the same problem. Then the computer would only shut down at this point each time I tried to turn the computer on again. Naturally I took it to my local Apple store and had a ‘Genius’ check it out.
    After attempting to load the OS, I stupidly agreed with the Apple technician that the hard drive should be wiped (being less educated then about hard drives than I am now). I’ve been kicking myself ever since then thinking at the time a broken/corrupted hard drive meant that the data was already lost and that it was safe to wipe the hard drive in order to perform an ‘Internet Recovery’.
    The Internet Recovery for Mavericks however failed and the Apple technician offered to replace the Hard Drive for a small ransom.
    I’ve since tried to turn the Mac on at home and the grey screen still appears this time with a flashing folder with a question mark.
    I know I have to go and buy a new hard drive and replace the existing one. But I still would like to know, is the data on the old hard drive able to be recovered or are my files lost forever since the Apple technician ‘wiped’ my hard drive?
    I’m willing to download the software and get the hard drive in order to retrieve any data if it is at all possible.
    Thank you for any help.
    Hayden

    Data Recovery – Best
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  • Recovering data from problem hard drive?

    I have a TiBook 667MHz with what appears to be a hard drive problem. It starts to boot up fine, but at a certain point in the process it hangs for a while and then shuts itself off. Apparently the hard drive made an unusual clicking noise when the problem first manifested (I wasn't there).
    Listening to the drive during the boot process, I hear normal noises for a while and then reach a point where the same rhythmic sequence is repeated over and over again. Sometimes it continues after a few rounds of that, and sometimes it shuts itself off.
    If I boot it in target disk mode and connect it to a MacBook, the drive doesn't mount. I can see the disk in Disk Utility, but can't mount it there either. If I run a repair it says "Invalid Volume Header," then spends a few minutes in the "Checking Catalog file" step before failing with an error about a task failing to end.
    If I start it in verbose mode, I see it stop at a message, "Invalid Volume Header," which is consistent with what Disk Utility says before it dies.
    Obviously it'd be great to fix the machine entirely. However, the main goal at this point is to get critical, non-backed-up data off of it. Any idea what's going on? Is there a utility that might help fix or identify this issue? And barring that, should I take it to an Apple Store and hope they can recover the data?

    So I'm not really sure what an "Invalid Volume Header" indicates, including whether it's a software or a hardware issue.
    It's a software issue dealing with directory info, but could be caused by faulty hardware.
    Is this something TechTool or DiskWarrior is likely to fix?
    There's no telling until you try it. DW has a good description of things it can/cannot do, so I'd do some reading on their website.
    I'm not completetly averse to picking up one of them in case of disk emergencies (TechTool's probably preferable, all things equal, since DiskWarrior shows no signs of going Universal) but I don't want to waste money if it's unlikely to work and I should just take it into a data recovery shop.
    Even if it didn't fix this issue, I wouldn't call it a waste of money; very handy to have around when you need it, and you can never tell when that might be.
    If I do need to take it in, any recommendations in the Cambridge/Boston area?
    No, but there will be listings in the yellow pages and by googling. I would try to find a place that will look at the HD, tell you if they can do anything with it, and give you a cost estimate before you have to pay them anything. I think when you see the cost of the service, you'll probably want to try another utility (or two or three) before going the professional service route. Good luck.

  • How to recover music from iPod hard drive??

    I've got an 80GB iPod, not sure of generation it's from 2006. A few months ago I had an issue when playing in my truck and the accessory I was using burned a hole in the lower left corner of the face of the iPod. After this happened, I was able to listen to the music still on the ipod through my headphones however I couldn't charge it and my computer wouldn't recognize it. So I couldn't transfer anything onto my computer. Luckily I backed up about 80% of my music, but there is still alot missing. I have tried to transfer the hard drive over to another iPod, from 2005, and when I turn on the iPod it displays "Connect to iTunes to restore" or something along those lines. When I connect to iTunes, it displays "iTunes has detected an iPod in recovery mode-Use iTunes to restore". I don't get the option to back up files when I click on restore. I'm not sure what to do at this point, I'm hesitant to restore because I know I'll lose all of my music. If anyone can help, that would be fantastic!

    You could have a look at this application: TouchCopy Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
    Just be aware that what you'll be recovering will be photos optimised for the iPod so they won't be the same quality as the original full resolution versions.

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