How to recover iphone back up data from mac hd for a lost iphone

[manishgoyal]

I recently lost my iPhone 3g. I had never taken a back up specifically, but i am assuming itunes used to take a back up every time i used to sync. Can i recover the back up data (including contacts and sms) from my mac hd. I am upgrading to iPhone 4S and should get hold of it in next couple of days.

 

[manishgoyal]

Any suggestion ??
Another question on similar lines - Does the iTunes create the back up of contacts and messages automatically, at the time of syncing or does the user have to expressly take a back-up. I can see my camera photos when i open photobooth but i don't know if the backup of contacts and messages was ever taken.

 

[jimmy575]

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

 

[Jahore]

Is this really work?