Hello everyone,
I recently lost a USB that contained about 2,000 photos. I'm not sure if it was stolen or lost, and it would help me greatly if I could determine when I last had it in my Mac Air OSX 10.9.4. I'm fairly computer illiterate, but I eventually (after realizing usbdeview is for windows) found info online saying you could find that info in the Console. (another website I found explains the codes- I got that down)
I went to Console, and eventually found the system.log and the als.org. Some sites said to search in the private/var/log but I was denied access (I am the only one who uses my computer). At any rate, I found what I was looking for, except the data ended on Aug. 14th, which excludes the prior three crucial (11th,12th,13th) days that I really need to see. (It is fair to ask why it took me a week to do this search, and the answer is I simply had no idea this was possible until this morning.)
So, I tried to figure out if that info was permanently deleted, or if there was a way I could find it. Some places said the Mac 'rotates' data, or stores it in compressed zip files elsewhere. At any rate, it didn't work, or I can't find them, and now the system.logs (there are 7) that I was able to see a few minutes ago I no longer have access to- it says I do not have permission. So, I fear that I've just mucked things up, perhaps inadvertently deleting the only info I really need. But, I really have no idea. The only thing I know for sure is, if I can access the files for those days, and find out the last time the USB was connected, I will have a shot at narrowing down the possible suspects and/or personal stupidity that have robbed me of over two years worth of well-culled and well-crafted photos of my travels and family, and that mean very much to me.
I know this is a long shot, but my options are few: does anyone know how long Console system logs are kept? Are they gone for good after a certain # of days? Can I retrieve them? Why is the Mac denying me permission to my own files? Do I need to fix that before I can retrieve earlier system.logs? Am I asking the right questions?
I realize this email is probably breaking forum etiquette, as I just signed up, and have no Mac-based knowledge to contribute to your community. It is not my intention to be rude, but (and as you can probably tell from above) I don't really know what I'm doing, and time is of the essence for me to figure out when I last had that USB in.
Some of you may wonder why I haven't found the answer to these questions in the forum; I am looking now, but frankly find myself baffled. If anyone can provide any assistance in this matter it would be much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Patton3214
I recently lost a USB that contained about 2,000 photos. I'm not sure if it was stolen or lost, and it would help me greatly if I could determine when I last had it in my Mac Air OSX 10.9.4. I'm fairly computer illiterate, but I eventually (after realizing usbdeview is for windows) found info online saying you could find that info in the Console. (another website I found explains the codes- I got that down)
I went to Console, and eventually found the system.log and the als.org. Some sites said to search in the private/var/log but I was denied access (I am the only one who uses my computer). At any rate, I found what I was looking for, except the data ended on Aug. 14th, which excludes the prior three crucial (11th,12th,13th) days that I really need to see. (It is fair to ask why it took me a week to do this search, and the answer is I simply had no idea this was possible until this morning.)
So, I tried to figure out if that info was permanently deleted, or if there was a way I could find it. Some places said the Mac 'rotates' data, or stores it in compressed zip files elsewhere. At any rate, it didn't work, or I can't find them, and now the system.logs (there are 7) that I was able to see a few minutes ago I no longer have access to- it says I do not have permission. So, I fear that I've just mucked things up, perhaps inadvertently deleting the only info I really need. But, I really have no idea. The only thing I know for sure is, if I can access the files for those days, and find out the last time the USB was connected, I will have a shot at narrowing down the possible suspects and/or personal stupidity that have robbed me of over two years worth of well-culled and well-crafted photos of my travels and family, and that mean very much to me.
I know this is a long shot, but my options are few: does anyone know how long Console system logs are kept? Are they gone for good after a certain # of days? Can I retrieve them? Why is the Mac denying me permission to my own files? Do I need to fix that before I can retrieve earlier system.logs? Am I asking the right questions?
I realize this email is probably breaking forum etiquette, as I just signed up, and have no Mac-based knowledge to contribute to your community. It is not my intention to be rude, but (and as you can probably tell from above) I don't really know what I'm doing, and time is of the essence for me to figure out when I last had that USB in.
Some of you may wonder why I haven't found the answer to these questions in the forum; I am looking now, but frankly find myself baffled. If anyone can provide any assistance in this matter it would be much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Patton3214