Just lost a 700MB file, how to get it back? I have an alias, but no original

[Laplace]

Ok heres what happened, I have a .mov file on my desktop. I input a CD to burn it to and drag and drop on to the cd while keeping the original on the desktop. It turns out that the file is too big to burn to a CD so I drag the file from the CD back to the desktop, and when prompted, I hit "replace". Then I ejectted the CD and now all i have is an alias on my desktop of hte file, but the file itself is no where to be found.

How do I get this file back? I'm desperate! It's not in the trash, nor is it on the CD anymore

Please help,
Thanks
Chad

[Sun Baked]

You may have replaced the file with the alias.

[Laplace]

true, but if i did do that. is there a way to get the original file back?

[generik]

true, but if i did do that. is there a way to get the original file back?

What do you think this is, Windows?

No, the original file is unlinked and probably overwritten moments later. It is gone for good, you can't undelete files.

[MacDawg]

What do you think this is, Windows?

No, the original file is unlinked and probably overwritten moments later. It is gone for good, you can't undelete files.

Not true, there are several 3rd party apps to do undelete files
You can check VersionTracker to find them

Edit: FileSalvage (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/24747)

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[CanadaRAM]

Not true, there are several 3rd party apps to do undelete files
You can check VersionTracker to find them

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

And...
the chances of undeletion are reduced with every minute the machine is left on, because OSX overwrites deleted space quite quickly with swap files and the like. If you are serious about getting the file back, SHUT IT DOWN NOW. Right now.

Then, go and buy Data Rescue II and follow the directions. No guarantees tho'.

[KyleC]

this exact thing happened to me yesterday, lost 6gb of pictures...

except i didnt drag the item back to the desktop... Can someone provide any insight on this?

I have tried Data Rescue II and my files are not there.

the apple store could not help, they had no idea.

[CanadaRAM]

this exact thing happened to me yesterday, lost 6gb of pictures...

except i didnt drag the item back to the desktop... Can someone provide any insight on this?

Nope -- nowhere enough detail in your post to give you an opinion.
Perhaps tell us the chain of events?

[KyleC]

Nope -- nowhere enough detail in your post to give you an opinion.
Perhaps tell us the chain of events?

1. Had a folder with 6gb of pictures on desktop
2. dragged to the dvd disk
3. relized it was way to big
4. ejected disk
5. it created an alias on the desktop, no pictures there, and alias is broken, original folder is gone.

[KyleC]

these people had same problem, or at least close: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=747364&#747364