OT-Lost Computer Data

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Hi Guys,

Wondering if anyone has any ideas for me on this.... I have a friend--no really I do have a friend it wasn't me.

Was having problems with a Mac book. Took it to the apple store due to a logic board problem. They asked if he wanted to back up the data. He said no, because they were just swapping out the board.

They clean installed the new version of MAC OS. If it was rewritten/reformatted is there any way to get it back?

Thanks!

Josh

PS back up your hard drives and write your names on your boards! Surprised

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

If they re-used the same hardrive, some of the data may still be there. It works like this.

Data is stored on the hardrive. The only way to remove it is to overwrite it or use a ardrive wiping software to delete the exisitng data. This software justs overwrites the entire disc to wipe that data out.

If the re-installed a new operating system, all the data that the OS was installed on top of wil be gone for good. All the remaing hard disc space will still be accessible. Although I havent used it and cant vouch for it, software such as Data Rescue and such can be used to retireve what info is left.

Remember, Even if you hit the delete key, the data is stil there unless it is over written.

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

yeah, depending on what they did the data may be easy or hard to get, but chances are "most" of is it still accessible depending on how much you want to spend.

There's software out there, like this that might help...

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/stellarphoenixmacintoshdatarecoverysoftware.html

or

http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php

These are decent mac recovery tools; but they may not be able to get the data.

If they can't you can send the hard drive away to a data recovery service, but they typically charge between $800-1500. A lot, but if it's important or irreplaceable stuff then it might be work it. they can typically recover just about anything, even if the disk was completely wiped and written over. It'll just cost. I've used the guys below and they've done a good job; http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/index.aspx

My suggestion for the future is for them to shell out $50 and get an external drive to backup onto regularly.

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jan 29, 10 12:48 am

Hey Josh. I put a cool slingshot sticker on your helmet in case you ever get it back Smile