lost desktop

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Level 1

25 points

lost desktop

In the course of shifting files on th Desktop recently, I inadvertently dleted teh Desktop. I waas able to reset the Finder, with Desktop folder, but lost the files. Can anyone explain what happened?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 13"

Posted on Apr 7, 2012 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Topher Kessler

Level 6

9,905 points

Apr 7, 2012 1:34 PM in response to Eddier3

The files may still be on your system somewhere, such as in another folder within your home directory. You can try performing a Spotlight search to try locating the files, or see if they are available in a Time Machine backup if you have Time Machine configured.

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Answer 2

Eddier3 Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 7, 2012 2:42 PM in response to Topher Kessler

Thanks, Topher. Unfortunately, Time Machine wasnot configured. I'm still getting used to Lion. Delayed installing until Intuit updated Quicken (the idiots!).

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Answer 3

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Apr 7, 2012 5:30 PM in response to Eddier3

If you mean that you deleted the desktop folder in Finder, then it may still be in the trash, unless you emptied it. If so, you probably have lost them since you have no backup. File recovery in any *nix system such as Lion, is almost impossible, even immediately after deletion.

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Answer 4

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Apr 7, 2012 5:35 PM in response to Eddier3

If there is any chance of recovery at all your best bet is Prosoft Data Rescue 3. There is a free trial to see if it can recover what you need. But don't do another process on that drive until you've downloaded and run it.

That means that ideally you should use another bootable drive to download and run Data Rescue. Or booted from another Mac in firewire mode. Also, there is always the option of ordering or going to the store to purchase the DVD. Then running from the optical drive.

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