URGENT: Freeware recovery software needed.

TiBookG4/5 said:

I have 205 files that were accidentally deleted from my computers hard drive. The files are visible in PodSalvage. Can any Macintosh genius, hackers etc. direct me to a freeware application or method to recover the files?

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ok, i don't know any free recovery software for os x. however, do not write and extra files on your hard drive or install the software on the hard drive in question. you raise the risk of making your files unrecoverable.

TiBookG4/5 said:

Can you point me to any shareware programs that allow me to recover the files as part of their trial before purchasing?

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Honestly I'm not aware of any that offer a trial that is fully functional.
There is
FileSalvage. It offers a free trial, but it only allows you to see what it can recover, I believe to recover the files that you see with this program you have to register it, which is around $90US.

There is also Data Rescue. This one will also show you exactly what it can recover but it will only allow you, in trial mode, to recover one file that is 500kb or smaller. Cost for this one is also pricey.

Like I said I'm not sure of any that are free or offer fully functional trials, but these will at least tell you if there is even a chance of recovering the files. And always remember to install these onto a different disk than you are trying to recover, or else the deleted media could be overwritten.

TiBookG4/5 said:

I have 205 files that were accidentally deleted from my computers hard drive. The files are visible in PodSalvage. Can any Macintosh genius, hackers etc. direct me to a freeware application or method to recover the files?

Click to expand...

You could try 'TestDisk' and 'PhotoRec', available here: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk, http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec

It is the only Freeware recovery tool for the Mac that I am aware of.

I highly suggest the use of an Ubuntu live disk and installing Autopsy through synaptic. You can then recover those files off to a thumbdrive or external. Good luck.

Why would you want to skimp on cost when you're trying to recover your data.

If its important enough for your to try to recover it, then paying for data rescue would be a no brainer.

What if you're pooor? I ain't got $100 to spend right now. Do you guys work for the developers or something?

Photorec seems to work, though it doesn't have a graphical user interface; I'm using it to recover some lost .java files.

There is an option to donate if you feel bad .

Thanks very much jacapsem, disk drill saved my bacon. I highly recommend it.

Partition greyed out

Hi,

I had a sudden , disk didn't disconnect properly message yesterday. Since then 1 of the 3 partitions (namely pictures) is not mounting and in disk utility is also grayed out.

In disk utility its permissions related 2 radio buttons are also grayed out, while the repair/verify buttons work.

I ran the verify and it says the partition is OK, I did first aid and the verify and repair led to a message the disk boot components were updated... or something like that......

I have about 150GB of pics on it which I had moved to centralize the pics and then backup, guess disaster struck before backup could be done...... santa wasn't happy with this boy !!

Any help / guidance would be very useful. I am panicking.......

Thanks

Urgent and free don't go so well together.

If the files are critical, yank the drive and work on it via a write-blocked interface or better yet work on a bit-level copy.

I have used Data Rescue 3 with pretty okay results in the past.