OS 7.6 data recovery nightmare

Hello,
I have a problem I can't seem to solve:
I have a system 7.6 formatted 1.2gb quantum fireball HD which appears to have been initialized (or the directories are corrupt somehow). On this drive are a number of simpletext files that contain research data. I have connected this drive via a PCI SCSI port to a g4 macintosh running OS 10.4, and have been able to run various file scavenging applications on the bad drive. No physical damage is detected by any of these programs (R-studio, Virtual Lab, Data Rescue II, File Salvage).
The problem is, these file recovery programs all 'see' the files, but when I recover them they are gibberish.
I have read that HFS uses a dual fork method of storage and that perhaps these recovery applications are unable to connect the resource fork with the data fork for any given file, and thus I am getting gibberish upon performing the recovery process.
Any help or insight would be much appreciated.

elderboy79,
The number one problem is the automatic rebuilding of the desktop that occurs when you move a drive from an old OS to a new OS and back. Zip disk files are very susceptible to modification by auto desktop rebuilding between systems.
I take a disk or drive to OS 9.x before moving it to an OS X computer. Typically, a flash drive from the 9 machine to the X machine works best. OS 8.1 to X has also worked OK.
Disk Warrior software will clean up directory mishaps, too.
If you have a dual boot G4, boot into 9 and try reading your 7.6 hard drive. Hopefully, you have backup copies that can be read on the original 7.6 Mac and new copies made for transfer to a newer intermediate OS Machine.
Jim

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noctlos wrote:
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Hi there
I have done the stupidest thing EVER! I back up my entire MacBook on an external hard drive - so far, so sensible. Only I've updated what I've backed up by replacing folders with newer versions and I've only just realised. I've lost four years' worth of digital photos and I'm praying there's some way of recovering them. Please help me! I'll name my future children after you and put you in my will!
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Basics of File Recovery
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.
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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.
Since it sounds like you overwrote files and folders then the data that were overwritten are gone for good and can not be recovered.
In the future you should make multiple backups including an archival backup on DVD media that can be stored away safely. It's good that you have some backups, but your backup plan is obviously inadequate.

Data recovery

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Hi,
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I use the external caddy as edex67 has suggested you try. This is probably the cheapest and easiest way to recover the pics providing that the hard drive is working. The only catch is you must remove the drive in order to attach to the adapter. Since you are not trying to resurect the iBook, the drive removal would be easier as disassembly would not have to be as cautious. Below links to disassembly and a source for an adapter.
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G3_12%22
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NVSPATA/

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I have recently copied over a folder on my iOmega (Prestige Portable) External Hard Drive with a folder from my Power Book Hard Drive, with the replace all.
What I need to know is there a way to step back to the point before I copied over this folder?
Ok so here comes the Dumb bit, I have never set up Time Machine! Yes I know, very stupid!
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Thanks

Johno11111 wrote:
Ok so here comes the Dumb bit, I have never set up Time Machine! Yes I know, very stupid!
Us mere mortals do tend to learn things the hard way, don't we?
So I'm now in the process of seeing if it is possible to step back with data recovery software and if this is possible what do people reccomend!
FIrst, stop using the drive immediately. If the files haven't been overwritten already, the more you use it, the more likely that is.
There are several Data Recovery apps for Macs; +Data Rescue II+ seems to be the one mentioned here most often, but others get good reviews, too. I've not used any, so can't say one is better than another.
I understand you'll need another external disk to receive the recovered files. (But you'll probably need one anyway for Time Machine or other backup app that you'll be using regularly from now on, right? You can use a second internal HD, Time Capsule, or in some cases back-up over your network.)
I also understand that some of these apps have a trial version that will tell you whether there's anything to be recovered, and perhaps recover a single file, so you don't spend the $$ for nothing.
Look for +Data Recovery+ via Google, VersionTracker.com or MacUpdate.com. The last two have user reviews. Just be certain whatever you use is compatible with Leopard.
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Time Machine Tutorial
Time Machine 101
How to back up and restore your files
Time Machine Features
Apple - Support - Mac OSX v10.5 Leopard Time Machine
and perhaps browse the Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum.

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MacintoshDataRecovery.com
$500 non physical
$1100-1600 physical
Heroic Efforts
http://www.heroicdata.com/data_recovery
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ACS Data Recovery
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DriveSavers.com
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Since this is our fourth hard drive failure in four different iBooks in 2 1/2 years, i am starting to become seriously disillusioned about the quality of the hardware Apple uses...not that i would ever get a dell or anything, but still....
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iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I have read good reports concerning Data Rescue although I have not used it myself.
Once you get your data back, focus on a regular (even daily) backup routine, because as you know only so well, the question is not if a drive will fail, it's when.
My condolences, by the way.

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Recently when I open my Mac the screen stays black until I press the start button a few times. Usually at this point it's in sleep mode. This time, however, the computer restarted completely, losing any word documents that I had left open prior. Is there any way I can recover these files without a purchase of a data recovery software? I've tried looking in the 'recent' tab, but it didn't save anything I have done in the last week, and finals are this coming week. Please help!

If the system just Restarted on it's own, Shut down while you were working on something then started back up all those changes, edits, you had done in that app, document, are gone.

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