Are deleted files ever COMPLETELY deleted?

N

no9jedi

Registered
Hi
I've accidently deleted some very important images. I don't know when(?). It could have been anytime over the last 4 months. I really need to find them! I tried using Data Rescue II and FileSearch and spent hours sifting through stuff but they weren't there. I have read a few times that no information is ever completely removed. So the question is, what can I do to find them? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Powerbook G4
OSX 10.4.7
 
When you empty the trash, it's true that the files' data will remain on the disk, merely marked as invalid. At this point, you might be able to recover the files with special applications like Data Rescue. However, as soon as that disk space is needed for another file, the data will be overwritten. Once this happens, the files are truly gone for good.

It's unlikely that "ghost" data would survive for several months without being overwritten. So I'm afraid those files are gone.
 
Mikuro said:
....

It's unlikely that "ghost" data would survive for several months without being overwritten. So I'm afraid those files are gone.
Click to expand...
Actually, they can. However, this is not something that you should count on. When you discover that you have accidently deleted needed files, it is a really good idea to stop everything until you have a chance to run your file recovery utility.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Is it the same principle for external hard drives? I had saved backup copies, like a good boy, but they're gone too. Must have deleted a wrong folder.

So just to be clear, even if I was as rich as Bill Gates and as determined as the FBI those files are gone? :(
 
Well nope, if you want to play those games you might still have a chance. When the data was overwritten it might just be possible to still see the "shadow" of the previous data due to differences in the alignment of the head over time or the residual bits of magnetism. If you want I can set you up with some people who do that sort of thing, their rates start in the 5 figures for what you are asking though.
 
Ok, thank you very much Mikuro, MisterMe and lurk for the education. For this project I'll just have to do without the missing files but for future reference I'd love those contacts of yours lurk. Be good to have for any furture catastrophes.
 
Well they guys down the street from me are http://www.ontrack.com/ and they will do this. I bet a number of other firms do the same but it is expensive and not guaranteed. I would not be surprised if they were able to recover a fraction of your file so you could make out what was there but not have it perfect. That won't help if you need the file in perfect order but it will help if you are trying to convict someone for kiddie porn. It is all about what your needs really are.

But remember these guys are in the business of helping you once you hit the -what-will-I-do stage of panic. Don't plan on using them, plan on spending money on a better backup regimen and never needing them. You will come out money ahead in that case.
 
All that TechTools does is still just read blocks off the free list. It will not recover data from sectors that have been previously overwritten. For that you need to take the drive physically apart, and you need a clean room and all that.
 
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