Oh my God, lifes work was deleted!

[Matt Laur]

<p>That's good news, Bob. Hard way to learn the lessons involved, but a much better outcome than some people have experienced (say, while going through a drive hardware failure from which there's no recovery that doesn't cost thousands of dollars, etc).</p>

[christian_odell1]

<p>Nthing what everyone else said about recovering the files.<br>

FOr what it's worth for the future, I keep all my raws, edited TIFs and misc photo stuff on a raid system. I also have a second RAID unit I use to mirror the first. I keep one offsite and one connected as live-backup. They get rotated weekly so they both have the same data. A third unit is updated once a month and sits at a third secure site. <br>

I would highly suggest you at least move to a RAID-1 setup which means you'll have your data mirrored onto 2 HD's. Then when you have cash, add a second Raid-1 so you're data sits on 4 physical drives.<br>

<br />Never trust only one location.<br>

Never delete without double-checking your data is elsewhere (even if only as failsafe)<br>

Never do any file ops without running crc verify on every file.</p>

 

[bob_estremera]

<p>The cost was minimal, $120. They tried to say it would be a minimum of $120, their minimum hourly charge. I made them commit to that figure even though this is going to take about 4 days to complete. <br />They had no idea how many and large the files were but I did.<br />And like I said in a previous post, they are using a software called Stellar Phoenix that costs about $150. But I just saw it for $49 and $99 on their site.</p>

[leighb]

<blockquote>

<p>All the folders and files were there and indeed had been deleted.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's wonderful, Bob. Sounds like the recovery will be successful, as we all hoped.</p>

<p>Congratulations.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

 

[dan_south]

<p>Bob, unless you are eager to live through this experience again, buy yourself a couple of extra external hard drives. Keep at least two copies of EVERYTHING near your computer and a separate full copy of everything at a remote location (studio, friend's house, safe deposit box, etc.). If you have a fire, flood, or other disaster, no expert is going to be able to recover your files. That remote copy will be your only hope.</p>

[leighb]

<p>Burn DVDs. More than one with the same contents. </p>

<p>Mail copies to friends or family out of town, to be put in a safe place.</p>

<p>Go to double-layer if you need more than 4 GB/disk.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

 

[tobycline]

<p>Bob, glad to hear that it may work out well.</p>

<p>To anyone else: I've been thinking about uploading my photo files to an off-site local, like a usb drive attached to an airport extreme at my parent's house. With my ISP's poor upload speeds, this would be painfully slow, but doable. Is there a way to keep a raid box, like a QX2, somewhere else that I could mirror what I have on a local QX2 via the internet/ftp/VPN? Thanks. Everyone make a Superduper! backup tonight, in honor of Bob!</p>

[brian_m.1]

<p>After 6 pages of posts does anybody understand what really happened?</p>

[garrison_k.]

<p>Someone deleted their files and posted the tragedy here. Some here recommend software to restore the files. Others recommended to get an expert and pay for a service. An expert was consulted and used similar software that was recommended here but was able to charge the OP through the yin-yang. </p>

[jane_rickard]

<p>Bob, I can't give you any computer but I will add one thing. After it is all said and done burn what you have on to DVDs and take them to a friends house and store them there. Keep burning and keep adding to the collection this is your failsafe. if the unthinkable happens to your house or study.<br>

there isn't a photog that has read this thread who's heart dosne't ache for you good luck. Worse come to worse, you can begin again.</p>

<p>Jane Rickard</p>

[leighb]

<blockquote>

<p>An expert was consulted and used similar software that was recommended here but was able to charge the OP through the yin-yang.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You're paying for the knowledge and experience that the expert has in being able to use the software safely, without damaging the deleted files. The expert also had the requisite hardware to access the compromised drive in a non-destructive manner.</p>

<p>The OP obviously lacks that knowledge, else he wouldn't have posted the question in the first place.</p>

<p>Knowledge is worth more than software.</p>

<p>And your problem with that is???</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

[roger_dennis]

<blockquote><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=6063681">Leigh B.</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub1.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jan 18, 2011; 10:31 p.m.

 

<blockquote>

<p>An expert was consulted and used similar software that was recommended here but was able to charge the OP through the yin-yang.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You're paying for the knowledge and experience that the expert has in being able to use the software safely, without damaging the deleted files. The expert also had the requisite hardware to access the compromised drive in a non-destructive manner.<br>

The OP obviously lacks that knowledge, else he wouldn't have posted the question in the first place.<br>

Knowledge is worth more than software.<br>

And your problem with that is???<br>

- Leigh</p>

 

</blockquote>

 

<p>Leigh B., I'm with you 100%. The OP is simply too lacking in computer savvy to have attempted this themselves. Maybe next time, ok.<br>

For practice on how to do it, for next time, the OP could take a memory chip, drive, zip or whatever, delete some files from it, install some software like RECUVA, and then learn how retrieve deleted material.<br>

This time the OP had too much at stake to try it on his own - His Life's Work. Better safe than sorry, this time.<br>

Heck, it was a nailbiter for me, just reading that OP had performed a system recovery! ;-))<br>

Roger Dennis</p>

 

<blockquote>

 

</blockquote>

[garrison_k.]

<blockquote>

<p>You're paying for the knowledge and experience that the expert has...</p>

</blockquote>

<p>And what expert is that, Leigh? Where was this expert found? Did anyone here recommend one? Was it a google search by Bob, a guess on a web site, and an email response that qualified them as an expert? What qualifies one as an expert, in this case, anyways? The same standards that qualifies a photographer as a "pro" is what the answer is. In other words, nothing. They used $50 common software...</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>And your problem with that is???</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I don't have a problem. Perhaps it's you that's getting all pissy, again, because this "expert" did exactly what you said <strong>not to do </strong>(don't turn on the computer, don't use the keyboard and mouse, send in the hard drive blah blah blah) and instead did everything that I and a couple others suggested. But, whatever.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The expert also had the requisite hardware to access the compromised drive in a non-destructive manner.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Any Windows user can asses any windows user remotely. And also, you can not write over deleted files simply by spinning hard drives and using your key board and mouse.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>The OP obviously lacks that knowledge, else he wouldn't have posted the question in the first place.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Silly assumption. Here's one from me. Bob is able to run a computer and a digital dark room? Installing data recovery software to a flash thumbdrive and following the super simple instructions, is probably well within his skill set. There's plenty of helpful forums out there that, just like photography, people give altruistically to inquiring minds like Bob.</p>

<p>The Windows restore suggestions were great too. As Brooks said, it might be easier than Bob thinks. Also, for all Windows 7 users here, this is a great setting to put into place that's shown on this youtube vid incase something like this happens again.<br>

 

[leighb]

<blockquote>

<p>And also, you can not write over deleted files simply by spinning hard drives and using your key board and mouse.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That is probably the stupidest statement I've ever heard in a computer context.</p>

<p>You obviously can't even spell software, and know less about hardware.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

[garrison_k.]

<p>Well that settles it then.</p>

[paul_de_ley]

<p>Wow, not exactly a graceful epilog to a happy ending Leigh. And to think we successfully managed to avoid any acrimonious discussion of which is the better or worse version of Windows, processor/hard drive brand etc etc.</p>

[roger_dennis]

<p>Well, there is that, isn't there, Paul. We didn't get acrimonious, so I guess that means <strong>Windows wins again, over Apple!</strong> [quick exit, stage left, poster dodges tomatoes as he runs] ROFL !</p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>Steve, just remember that even if your film are still in the box, a house could burn or get wipe out by a tornado (i dont wish any of this to you of course) and bye bye film or digital file... it is a good thing then you could retrieve all of your precious image on another location since you make a backup... oh wait.. whe are talking about film here... so no backup exist ...hmmmmm.. ; P</p>

<p>____</p>

<p>film or digital, s*** append. make a backup of your important item if you can, and dont be a smart a... because it append to anyone anywere.. even the one who think they are bullet proof ; )</p>

<p>Every year i make a total system clone of my 2 computer onto a 2TB external drive, put this in a safe at the bank. Included all my music, images, software, word doc, cie stuff etc....take around 5hrs to do.. let it run during the night. if s*** append, i have just a year lost... but see below.</p>

<p>Every month i make a total system clone of my 2 computer onto another 2TB external drive. take around 5hrs to do.. let it run during the night. My girlfriend put the disk in her secured drawer at her office, bring it every month home so i can make the monthly backup.</p>

<p>Every Friday i make a total backup on the client folder onto a RAID 2TB at my studio take around 20min, and leave with this disk at home...</p>

<p>Every night, i backup the *in progress* file to my Airport Time Capsule at home from my studio... around 20min also.</p>

<p>Look like im a backup freak! but i prefer to be a freak vs losing a life worth of cant get back souvenir or work ; )</p>

<p>HD are cheap. Time is nothing. souvenir worth more than $$$ and time.</p>

<p>Happy that the OP found someone to find is file, expert or not... im sure the OP is happy to pay 150$ to get all back.</p>

 

[jackaldridge]

<p>Hey Patrick...<br>

Could your girlfriend store my files as well?<br>

(-:</p>

[KenPapai]

<p>$150 is cheap.</p>

<p>A pair of external drives, 2TB each, would cost less than $500. Rotate these two drives for backups, store one off site. Super simple and 100% trustworthy.</p>

<p>As a professional IT person myself (mostly Windows PCs) of a few decades, everything Garrison says is of course 100% spot on.</p>

<p>Simple workflow 101 basics:</p>

<p>1. Copy your camera's CF card to a new folder for that day's shoot.<br /> 2. Then copy that folder to an external backup drive. Some people still use DVDs... not sure why.<br /> 3. Once you verify the copies worked fine (they always do, save a power failure), only then should you delete/format your CF card in-camera.</p>

<p> </p>

[phule]

<p>[[i just checked all of mine and they are still in my box marked 'negatives'!]]</p>

<p>A lot of people in New Orleans had their negatives in boxes too.</p>

 

[KenPapai]

<p>Jay wrote:</p>

<p><em>Also, Microsoft has a free sync tool that works<strong> really well for backing up </strong>- I use it to backup from my D: working drive to my E: backup drive and from D: to my external drive everytime I add files. It only writes the changes made</em> [i.e., the FILES that have more recently changed of course]<em>... </em><br>

<em>Microsoft SyncToy</em><br>

<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en</a></p>

<p>It works so well! I downloaded and installed it yesterday and have now adopted it as part of my standard backup workflow. </p>

 

[mike_hitchen]

<p>Garrison - I am sure the OP could have done it themselves. But cases like this are not about ability, it is about <em>confidence</em>. Like so many other skills in life. To be honest, in the OP position I would probably have done the same thing but after reading this I will try and practice on 'dummy deletions' before I need it.<br>

And if the worst happens I may <em>still</em> take it down to <em>PC World</em> for them to do the dirty deed. Strange thing, confidence.</p>

[jay_poel]

<p>@Garrison Lot's of people can go buy some brake pads and put them on the car but the question becomes was it done correctly even if you are familiar with do it yourself car repair? You can also take your car and have a professional install them and still have it not done correctly - I know, I am a professional automechanic / shop owner and I've seen some bad work in my time. So the OP's choice of who did it the work and what software they used is irrellevant - they got his photos back and the cost was more than fair. Recovery can cost 10x that in some cases.Unless you know someone who has experience you can only hope the person you contract is good at what he does. </p>

<p>@Ken Thanks for the response. I like it because it does a good job and I've had no issues and the way it works with the ability to add/overwrite/delete files on the backup drive(s) is great. It's very basic but that's all a sync program needs to be.<br>

@Bob I don't really see it posted there, did you get the files back or is the software still running? (It sounds like it's still processing from what I've read.)</p>

[bob_estremera]

<p>Hi guys,<br>

Remember me, the OP?<br>

Still recovering, this might take a few more days. All RAW, TIF and some PS files.<br />Agonizing. Won't know the outcome for probably two more days or more.<br>

I'm absolutely going to get a second external backup.<br>

So, what happened in the first place?<br />Damned if I can figure it out. I did what I have done many times previously (but will never do again!)<br />I deleted the 'My Pictures' folder on my external so that I could just use the 'Send to' command on the same folder on my regular 'C' drive.<br />How I deleted the 'My Pictures' folder from BOTH locations is beyond me. I made sure the 'I' drive was selected in the navigation bar but it happened anyway.<br>

I will purchase this recovery software and practice recovering some 'test' deleted file folders so I have the confidence to perform this task myself if the need arises.<br>

I will also print and save this entire thread and explore every suggestion that has been offered.<br>

And again, thanks everybody for being with me on this. I could really feel the sympathy and 'Red Cross' spirit in helping me through it.<br>

Very best to you all and BACK UP!<br>

Bob</p>