Is there any way to retrieve accidentally deleted source clips?

Question

Is there any way to retrieve accidentally deleted source clips?

I accidentally deleted source clips for a video project, and now the viewer won't show my video (although I can still see the frames when I run my cursor over the project). Is there any way to retrieve the files or show iMovie where to find the source clips on my computer, kind of like how it's possible to show iTunes where to find source mp3s on my computer when they're moved from the iTunes file? Since I can still see the frames when I move my cursor over the clips (with the exclamation points in the corners), it seems as though the memory of the edited clips must still be in iMovie somehow and be recoverable. Any help would be appreciated - I'd really like to avoid having to re-import and re-edit all of those clips!

iMovie (iOS), Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Aug 18, 2011 10:44 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Aug 18, 2011 10:46 PM in response to moonlight-on-the-ocean

Basics of File Recovery

Files in Trash

If you simply put files in the Trash you can restore them by opening the Trash (left-click on the Trash icon) and drag the files from the Trash to your Desktop or other desired location. OS X also provides a short-cut to undo the last item moved to the Trash -press COMMAND-Z.

If you empty the Trash the files are gone. If a program does an immediate delete rather than moving files to the Trash, then the files are gone. Recovery is possible but you must not allow any additional writes to the hard drive - shut it down. When files are deleted only the directory entries, not the files themselves, is modified. The space occupied by the files has been returned to the system as available for storage, but the files are still on the drive. Writing to the drive will then eventually overwrite the space once occupied by the deleted files in which case the files are lost permanently. Also if you save a file over an existing file of the same name, then the old file is overwritten and cannot be recovered.

General File Recovery

If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro. Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive. Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and TestDisk. Look for them and demos at MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.

The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.

Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.

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