External drive got erased somehow! :(

[IMcD23]

Yesterday, I was copying files onto a Seagate FreeAgent Go external HD. Once the copy was complete, I absentmindedly just unplugged it. When I plugged it into my other mac, there was nothing in the drive.

This drive is formatted NTFS, because I use it for files on the PC too. I am using NTFS-3g to be able to read and write to the drive. I have heard that the most recent files might not be applied to the drive if i forget to hit eject before unplugging it. But every single file I have on it (some were up to 5 months old) is gone.

Overnight, I used Data Rescue 3 to try to restore files, but nothing much showed up with a Deep Scan.

Any help is appreciated
-IMcD23

 

[tonyburkhart]

Since it's NTFS, are you able to connect it to a dedicated Windows machine and view the files?

Just incase there is something wrong with your read/write program (3G) and it's ability to view files after an incorrect eject.

 

[sushi]

Since it's NTFS, are you able to connect it to a dedicated Windows machine and view the files?

Just incase there is something wrong with your read/write program (3G) and it's ability to view files after an incorrect eject.

Good suggestion.

If this doesn't work, you might want to give SpinRite a try.

Worth it's weight in gold.

 

[IMcD23]

Ok thanks guys, i am trying it now!

UPDATE: When I plug it into my Windows 7 box, there are two items that show up. one is the common .DS_Store file, and the other is the .Trashes folder with 501, 502, and 503 empty folders inside it.

Should i run CHKDSK or something on it?

 

[jensanau]

Sorry I cant answer that IMcd23 but I had the exact same problem and gave it to my son who is recovering them by using a recovery program to copy them to another drive (not sure which one but I will ask him). Apparently my files were still there even tho I couldnt see them but he found them. I will let u know how we get on, it may or may not help you if you still havent had any luck retrieving yours.

 

[IMcD23]

Ok thanks! Yeah that would really help!

-IMcD23