NVRAM reset and lost data.

Question

NVRAM reset and lost data.

I was having the "MDD won't wake up" problem and performed the PRAM/NVRAM reset using the 4-key process. The reset went predictably enough, however when it restarted my computer was sent back in time, and not in a good way. Any applications I had installed in the last year or two were either gone or didn't work. iLife was set back to the '06 version. And worst of all, I can't find any pictures in iPhoto newer than early 2007. Even the desktop was set back to the way I had it over a year ago, including the files, folder and background image that I had back then. The software can be reinstalled, and my images through 2007 are on another drive. However, any data/files that were created or saved this year appear to have vanished.
The computer is a MDD dual 1G w/ 1.25G RAM and two drives: original 80G and a Seagate 300G added later, running 10.4.11

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro 2.33 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 5, 2008 7:01 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 10, 2008 4:20 PM in response to Fausto Rowlan

If anyone is still interested I resolved the problem. On a lark I switched the boot disk to the newer Seagate drive and restarted. EVERYTHING came back. All my files are where I left them, iPhoto is completely restored, even the desktop and all it's files are back to normal. That was it.

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Answer 2

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Oct 6, 2008 3:10 AM in response to Fausto Rowlan

Hi-

I highly doubt the data is gone. The directory may not see it, due to damage, or, a return to earlier user settings may have occurred with the NVRAM reset.
Is the user account correct?

As for iPhoto, look in User/Pictures (or wherever you had them placed) for your actual files. The iPhoto preference is obviously not seeing the files, but they should be there.

Is everything on the startup drive in the MDD? If so, start the MDD in Firewire Target Disk Mode, and connect it to your MBP. You should be able to see, and transfer/copy, all data that is present on the MDD drive. Firewire Target Disk mode won't access files on a nonboot drive.
How to use FireWire target disk mode

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Answer 3

Oct 6, 2008 7:48 AM in response to japamac

That's kind of what I was thinking, it has to be somewhere. I'm hoping it created a "backup" folder and put it somewhere, I just don't know what/where to look for it.
I went to each of the drives, then looked in user/"myName"/pictures. I double-clicked on the iPhoto file on each drive but it opens the same iPhoto library from each drive.
I'll try the Target Disk Mode when I get home tonight. thanks for the help.

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Answer 4

Oct 6, 2008 7:19 PM in response to Fausto Rowlan

Ok, looked at the MDD throught the MacBook Pro. Most, maybe all, of the documents seem to be there, although I can' see them from the "Documents" shortcut in the Finder. There's even two different iPhoto Libraries (one in each drive). I navigated to each library but no matter which one I double-click, the same one always opens.
Good news, everything seems to be there, I just can't get to it.

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