Ottoko.b

Q: Recover Accidently Deleted File after using RM -RF

Hi There. 6 Days ago, i try to clean up my Trash but an error appear "the operation cannot be completed because the item is in use". after trying a few method i found a solution by using:  cd ~/.Trash; rm -rf * . instead of cleaning my trash (which is not), tht command delete all my files.i mean all. except applications.Is there a way to recover it? or undo the process? im using FileSalvage and still running at this moment. And im not save any files and only run filesalvage for the past 6 days.Thanks.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), null

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 5:55 AM

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Q: Recover Accidently Deleted File after using RM -RF

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  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Aug 29, 2016 6:00 AM in response to Ottoko.b
    Level 9 (55,014 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 29, 2016 6:00 AM in response to Ottoko.b

    Without a backup, you're going to lose quite a bit of data. You need to be extremely careful if you don't know exactly what you're doing at the command line, as you've discovered.

     

    Let file salvage run and see what it can recover for you. The only other real option besides another commercial file recovery program (I have no reason to believe one is better than any other) is to shut off the machine and send it out to a professional data recovery service. Be prepared for a bill in the thousands, though, and no guarantee of recovered data.

  • by rccharles,Helpful

    rccharles rccharles Aug 29, 2016 9:31 AM in response to Ottoko.b
    Level 6 (8,471 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 29, 2016 9:31 AM in response to Ottoko.b

    You should never issue the commands you did.  Do not chain together a change directory command then do a delete via the command separator ;.

     

     cd ~/.Trash
      pwd
      ls -l
      # then delete files.
    

     

    A better way would have been to do the delete from finder.

     

    # Show hidden files & folders in finder

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE   ;killall Finder

    # Normal display.  Hide hidden files & folders in finder

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE  ;killall Finder

  • by Ottoko.b,

    Ottoko.b Ottoko.b Aug 29, 2016 9:33 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 9:33 AM in response to rccharles

    I probably too greedy to delete thus problematic files inside trash.. : (

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 29, 2016 9:37 AM in response to Ottoko.b
    Level 6 (8,471 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 29, 2016 9:37 AM in response to Ottoko.b

    I was too harsh in he prior post.  Stuff happens.

     

    I feel for you.  I had a harddrive crash in day.  Partial backup. 

     

    R

  • by Ottoko.b,

    Ottoko.b Ottoko.b Aug 29, 2016 9:43 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 9:43 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Using filesalvage was ok. i do get not only recently deleted but even way before.mostly salvaged but some corrupted.understandable.and the salvaged files restored with different names.given by the software.but the process took too long to scan.and i cant scan specific custom files that i want. Im changing to stellar phoenix. I probably spending days reorganize all the textures and my artworks...my fault..

  • by Ottoko.b,

    Ottoko.b Ottoko.b Aug 29, 2016 2:20 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 2:20 PM in response to rccharles

    No hard feeling.genuinly my own fault.thanks for your suggestion.truly appreciate