Can't find files in macbook trash from external hard drive

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ddl2000 Author

Level 1

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Can't find files in macbook trash from external hard drive

I recently dragged a lot of movie clips from my Lacie External Harddrive into my macbook air trash bin. Whenever I opened my trash bin, I saw the dragged files were there if my hard drive is connected. However, recently, I opened the trash bin and the dragged files were not there. The files I deleted from my macbook are still there, and I never emptied my trash. I would appreciate your help since I really need those movie clips back. Thank you!

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Dec 28, 2015 12:25 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2015 12:28 PM in response to ddl2000

What happens when you reconnect the drive? Or are you saying it is still connected? Have you disconnected it since you last saw the files?

For what it's worth, it's not really a great idea to store files in the trash.

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Answer 2

ddl2000 Author

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Dec 28, 2015 12:34 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Hi Meg,

Yes, the drive is connected to my computer and the icon appears on my desktop. I have disconnected it since I last saw the files.

Yes, you are right. I am never storing files in trash again.

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Answer 3

Dec 28, 2015 12:34 PM in response to ddl2000

If I recall correctly, the files would be deleted when you disconnected the drive. Sorry.

If I'm wrong, hopefully, someone else will chime in with advice.

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Answer 4

ddl2000 Author

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Dec 28, 2015 12:40 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Hmm, I have disconnected the drive a few times and when I reconnected it, the files I dragged from the drive to the trash bin were still in my trash bin. It's just this day, for some reason, it's not happening. Can files that are in your trash be deleted without you pressing the empty button?

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Answer 5

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Dec 28, 2015 12:46 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

confirm: delete works as long as the external is still connected and are gone when you disconnect.

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Answer 6

Dec 28, 2015 12:48 PM in response to Lexiepex

LexSchellings wrote:

confirm: delete works as long as the external is still connected and are gone when you disconnect.

So, just to be clear, you're confirming that the files will stay in the trash until the drive is disconnected and then will be completely deleted?

Thanks for the assist, by the way!

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Answer 7

ddl2000 Author

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Dec 28, 2015 12:53 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks you all for your input.

That's strange because I disconnected and reconnected my hard drive a few times before today, and I saw the dragged files were still in my trash bin. Could there be a time limit i.e. after a few days, then it just deletes? I didn't reformat or move anything on my drive.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 28, 2015 4:12 PM in response to ddl2000

Each storage volume has its own hidden Trash folder. The Finder Trash is a combination of all of them. When you move files on a secondary volume to the Trash, they stay there until the Trash is emptied with the volume mounted. When the volume is not mounted, you won't see the contents of its Trash folder.

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Answer 9

ddl2000 Author

Level 1

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Dec 28, 2015 7:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks Linc for the info. That was my intuitive sense, but even when I mount the volume on my computer, the files don't show up in the trash anymore. They did a few days ago when I connected the hard drive. I never emptied the trash nor did I overwrite any files. I left the hard drive as it was. Do you have any suggestions? I.e. Is there a way to access the hidden Trash folder for my external hard drive? Really appreciate your help.

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 28, 2015 7:14 PM in response to ddl2000

If the Trash is empty, and the files were not moved somewhere else, then they're gone. Why they're gone, I have no way of knowing. You would have to restore from a backup.

If you don't have a backup, and the files are of high value to you, your best chance of recovering them is to send the drive to a data-recovery consultant such as "DriveSavers." Their services are horrifically expensive.

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Answer 11

ddl2000 Author

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Dec 28, 2015 7:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

Thanks again for your response and recommendation. My trash actually isn't empty. It still has files I deleted, just from my macbook, not from my external hard drive. Very strange, but I guess I have to move on and learn from my mistake of just letting important files sit in the trash.

Really appreciate your help!

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