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Data Recovery Help iMac!

T

TheBlackCrayon

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 17, 2015
4
0
I need some advise getting my data back. I came to help a friend start a new Admin Account. I had found this online.

"Here's one method to reset the password without the install disc:

1. boot computer and hold the "apple" key and the "s" key.
2. wait for terminal show
3. release keys
4. type without the quotes: "/sbin/mount -uaw"
5. press enter
6. type without the quotes: "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
7. press enter
8. type without the quotes: "reboot"
9. press enter

This will let you create a new admin account when you reboot your computer."

When I finished I realized that all my data that had been on there before was gone. We lost everything, and I mean everything. If anyone could help me recover my data I would be most most greatful. I have a iMac below are the specs.

iMac
Mac OS X
Version 10.5.8
Processor 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2 GB
 
The Mac in question has a firewire port, is this correct?

If so, connect to another Mac (that also has firewire) and start it up in "firewire target disk mode".

What do you see from the controlling (other) Mac?
 
Did you have a Time Machine drive? If so, you can boot from that drive and select the option to restore your system from the backup.

Edit: I see you were using 10.5.8. This is my mistake: Time Machine volumes could only be booted from with OS X 10.7.2 (or was it 10.7.4?) and later. You would need to install OS X fresh and then use the Migration Assistant to recover from the Time Machine volume.
 
Thanks everyone. I will try it all and see what happens. Took the info to Geek Squad and they were talking I needed to ship it across the country and it would cost hundreds if not a thousand!!! It can't be that serious of a thing can it?
 
Why do you think you lost data ?

You created a brand new account, which is, obviously, blank.

However, the previous existing account should still be there.
As phpmaven said, look at the "Macintosh HD/Users" folder.
 
Hey there it is!!! Ok now I can't get it. That's the whole reason why I tried to reset the account because I couldn't login. The password hint doesn't help. What can I do?
 
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