Serious hell just happened to my session :(

[thenewnoise]

Running:

HD3
Dual 2.0 G5
192 i/o
OWC firewire 800 drive

So here I am tracking away. Probably only have 8-9 tracks (including Reason) going at the time and After tracking a guitar part I go to hear what it would sound like in reverse. So i try to preview it and my computer freezes. No big deal it happens, so I restart.

When I go into the folder that my session and files were in everything is GONE . The folder is still there but all my backups/audio files/fade files/session are gone. In my firewire drive I find a folder called "lost and found" so I look in there. It looks like the audio files from this session are in there but nothing else . I have never had anything like this ever happen and I'm about to pull my hair out. I had many edits in this session and much time spent. Sure I still have the audio, but to place all this manually would be a distaster. Any help with this??

[JFreak]

if "the diskwarrior" cannot rescue it, nothing can. the most important thing is - if you plan to try some data recovery software - that you stop using the drive completely to prevent any changes that would make it harder for the data recovery process, and let the data recovery software of your choice be the first one to touch the hard drive.

always remember that nothing is backed up unless it's backed up twice, so everything of great importance should be backed up right after the tracking. there's good use for your computer during your coffee breaks

[thenewnoise]

What is discwarrior? Is it worth a try if I have to buy it?

[JC925602]

if DiskWarrior does not help, try virtual lab it's an online recovery service.

JC

[JC925602]

DiskWarrior

around 100$, I did buy it for an urgent recovery, 10 min to buy, download and install, 5 min to recover all the data. After, I made around 1000$ when going to help clients and I look like a god after restoring those lost disks. I always tell them to buy it, but they prefer to call me when they have a problem.

I also use it for preventive maintenance.

JC

[thenewnoise]

thanks guys. I'm downloading discwarrior as I type so I hope it's worth the money

Cheers.

[Andre Knecht]

I'm downloading discwarrior as I type so I hope it's worth the money

Yes it is, no matter what happens with your current problem.

Contrary to popular belief, Disk Warrior is NOT really a data retrieval application. It is a hard disk directory repair & optimization utility. Yes, it can make files "reappear," but it does so by fixing directory problems. DW is also an excellent tool to be used regularly in a preventive fashion - before problems occur.

I highly recommend Disk Warrior to any and all Mac users.


JFreak wrote:

if "the diskwarrior" cannot rescue it, nothing can.

Wrong, my friend! (Thankfully)

There are times when Disk Warrior can't do anything about a particularly nasty directory corruption problem, but there are a few solutions out there.

JC925602 recommended Virtual Lab's online data retrieval service. I have no personal experience with this particular service, or other similar outfits, other than investigating their costs. Invariably, they struck me as expensive.

I can, however, wholeheartedly recommend another software solution: Data Rescue, by Prosoft Engineering. This little gem is a true data retrieval package and costs a very reasonable $89.- It has saved me a couple of times in cases when even Disk Warrior revealed itself impotent (such as when your drive won't mount). I highly recommend it!


I hope this helps - Best of luck!

[JFreak]

i naturally meant "nothing you can feasibly do yourself"; there are of course professional companies that can retrieve data from even physically damaged hard drives, but that's completely another story and the data will have to be very valuable if such companies are used due their high cost.

diskwarrior is cheap and recovers most damage, and yes, it's not a data recovery software at all, but for the user, fixing the directory feels recovering data once the "lost" files reappear

i have to check that data rescue app - it seems useful at first glance...

[surroundguy]

I would also replace the firewire drive once you have recovered the session, if you want to be on the safe side. At least find a way to do a low level test on it to make sure it isn't the culprit.

[SimpleNatureSpirit]

Keep this thought handy at all times:

"SAVE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT"