Upgraded from Snow Leopard to Mavericks, all files lost, need help fast.

Question

Upgraded from Snow Leopard to Mavericks, all files lost, need help fast.

I recently upgraded my 2010 MacBook Pro to OSX Mavericks from Snow Leopard. All my files were deleted, and every second I spend on the new OSX, they are being overwritten. I have tried to access them so many different ways, needless to say i'm about to give up. The most important files were on the application "Front Row" in Snow Leopard. If I downgrade to Snow Leopard, will most of them be automatically restored? Please help, i'm desperate.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Aug 13, 2015 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

YakovM

Level 3

846 points

Aug 13, 2015 9:36 PM in response to TheKnottySwede

Unfortunately, no. OS X doesn't have a built-in tool for restoring erased files, so downgrade will only get you a clean-installed system with no user-created documents.

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Answer 2

Aug 13, 2015 9:37 PM in response to YakovM

Do you know of any other ways to restore the files?

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Answer 3

YakovM

Level 3

846 points

Aug 13, 2015 9:39 PM in response to TheKnottySwede

TheKnottySwede wrote:

Do you know of any other ways to restore the files?

You'll need a third-party tool for rescuing deleted files (Google for such a thing) and run it from an external drive (actually, I'm not sure if a Mac can boot, say, from a flash drive).

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Answer 4

Aug 13, 2015 9:47 PM in response to YakovM

What application do you recommend to be run through an external drive?

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Answer 5

YakovM

Level 3

846 points

Aug 13, 2015 9:48 PM in response to TheKnottySwede

TheKnottySwede wrote:

What application do you recommend to be run through an external drive?

I'm not sure about it, so you better read some reviews on the web.

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Answer 6

Aug 13, 2015 9:57 PM in response to YakovM

You mean to run a program that scans the external hard drive? Or a program run through an external drive, such as a USB?

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Answer 7

YakovM

Level 3

846 points

Aug 13, 2015 10:09 PM in response to TheKnottySwede

TheKnottySwede wrote:

You mean to run a program that scans the external hard drive? Or a program run through an external drive, such as a USB?

I mean you need to run a program from an external drive that will scan your internal drive that you're trying to rescue files on.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 14, 2015 7:01 AM in response to TheKnottySwede

You may have logged in as a different user, such as Guest. Open the Users & Groups pane in System Preferences. Your name should be at the top of the user list, under Current User. See also this support article.

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Answer 9

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Aug 14, 2015 7:25 AM in response to TheKnottySwede

In addition to the page Linc provided, check your account isn't still on the disk…

In the Finder, choose the 'Go menu > Go to folder…'
Enter /Users as the path & open it.
Can you see multiple folders? Are there any that look like your old username?

Also in Finder 'Get info' on the main system disk - how much data is used in GB's? If you cannot find the system disk Use the Go menu again & look under 'Computer' for it. 'File > Get info' will list the sizes. Post that info here, it will help us work out if you have erased your internal disk (& lost data) or simply updated the OS & your files may still exist elsewhere.

Data recovery is best left to professionals but can be expensive, otherwise you can try doing it yourself, however you will need a second disk to recover onto & software to to the recovery. Also bear in mind that files may be found without their original filename, which makes it difficult if not impossible to rebuild your setup.

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