Needed: Recovery software for deleted files

Question

Needed: Recovery software for deleted files

Et.al,

I am needing some advice or suggestions. I am looking for software to recover several deleted videos from my GoPro.

I am not sure what info is needed so I will try to be as helpful as possible.

History:

- I have a Early 2013 13" MacBook Pro w/retina with SSD (Macintosh HD)

- I recored several hours of video on my GoPro in around December 2014 and January 2015 and placed them on my MacBook

- I did not label the videos, but they each were 12GB (so I will know them if i were to see them) There were around 10 total.

- I deleted them around the end of January with the "Secure Empty" trash option.

- I do not have them on back up anywhere.

So, the questions are:

Is there any chance on me finding and recovering these videos???? because NOW they are needed badly.

If so, is there a software recovery program I can buy and do it myself (I have never used a recover program for this)

<OR>

Is this a situation where I am going to have to get an expert involved?

Any other solutions and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you....

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 2:39 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 4, 2015 2:47 PM in response to wannabesmiley

They are gone. Lesson learned, backup your data

From Apple Support: OS X Mavericks: Remove files and folders from your Mac

Securely empty the Trash

Even after you empty the Trash, deleted files can be recovered using data-recovery software. For extra security, you can delete files so they can’t be recovered.

Drag the item to the Trash.
Choose Finder > Secure Empty Trash. When you see a warning message, click OK.

Files deleted in this way are completely overwritten by meaningless data. This may take some time, depending on the size of the files.

To prevent the recovery of files you deleted previously, open Disk Utility, choose Help > Disk Utility Help, then search for help on erasing free disk space.

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Answer 2

Oct 4, 2015 2:52 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

What if I did not use the "secure empty" am I still out of luck?

I'm not really sure if I used "secure" or not. Sorry I should have added that..

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2015 2:58 PM in response to wannabesmiley

You said "- I deleted them around the end of January with the "Secure Empty" trash option.". Even if you did not use Secure Trash, you deleted them last January. I assume you have been using the computer since then. If so, the files have likely been written over. You can try a professional data recovery service but it is not cheap.

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Answer 4

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,104 points

Oct 4, 2015 2:59 PM in response to wannabesmiley

Last January: it's a very very long shot.

If you didn't securely empty the trash check out File Salvage - you can download a free trial and it will scan the disk for you and tell you with might be recoverable. Actual recovery will require that you purchase the app. There may be many files with the same or similar names. Always recover the largest file size.

There are other such apps. Search on Macupdate or the App Store

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Answer 5

Oct 4, 2015 3:05 PM in response to wannabesmiley

Thanks Bob and Terence,

I'm not sure if I used "secure" or not.

Bob: I may have to use a recovery service, because I need them

Terence: Are you referring to this one:http://subrosasoft.com/software/filesalvage

Thanks again

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Answer 6

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,104 points

Oct 4, 2015 3:09 PM in response to wannabesmiley

That's it.

If File Salvage can't find anything to recover, no one is getting files from last January back in any usable way. Save your money. Professional recovery is extortionate and extremely unlikely to recover anything usable.

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Answer 7

Oct 4, 2015 3:20 PM in response to Yer_Man

Thank you Terence....

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Answer 8

Oct 18, 2015 11:53 AM in response to wannabesmiley

I know it is unlikely but have you used the original SD memory card again? If just deleted, but not used www.recovergopro.com will recover it, but it is a PC only program. If the card has been used more than the original video size, then all will be lost.

Recovery of GoPro from original SD card is actually very complex, as data is recorded in a fragmented way, and may have 100s of fragments, all fragment details are lost when the card is deleted or formatted.

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