iMac 2013 died - nothing was backed up, join me on this fun adventure!

[Johnny Mickelman]

Internet recovery offers the original OSX/macOS system assigned to that type of computer. This causes lots of troubles specifically with DiskUtility but also with restoring backups. Basically, old systems may not be able to restore user data from backups created on new system. As you found out, DiskUtility can do more damage to disks if users try to use them.
Not sure why the original OSX/macOS is the choice, I would offer latest system compatible with the hardware, but it is a choice Apple made. There are arguments for both I can see.
To be fair, Apple assumes you have backup. Their standard solution to most computer troubles is "reformat, reinstall system, update to the latest version, restore user data from backup". Last step assumes there is backup.

Yeah I do not understand why they couldn't match the operating system and install that.

 

[Johnny Mickelman]

I feel for you, and it's like some people have to go through this process before they realise the importance of backing up. Your Mac has a built-in backup service called Time Machine that would have saved you all this. You said you can't afford it but the price you've so far spent on getting a pro to recover your data would have bought an external HDD of sufficient capacity several times over.

I do genuinely feel for you, but please let this be a lesson. $60 or less would have bought you a 2TB external hard drive suitable for using as a Time Machine. All your worries about data recovery would have been over.

Earlier in my thread I'd pointed out the reasons I'd assumed that this iMac was my most reliable place to back up to. Dunno where you can buy a 2TB hard drive for $60 but I wouldn't go that low, but I think you are pointing out that hindsight is 100% accurate.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Yeah I do not understand why they couldn't match the operating system and install that.

Yes, they could. It just cost more money, which you (and many others including me) can't afford. So we have to opt for a cheaper solution called "data back-up".

 

[MajorFubar]

Dunno where you can buy a 2TB hard drive for $60 but I wouldn't go that low, but I think you are pointing out that hindsight is 100% accurate.

No point my posting links because I'm UK based, but I'd be shocked to find it's more expensive for you. A WD Elements 2TB USB 3 hard drive is £60 new here from a UK high street retailer (Argos), it's going to be the same or less in your country. I know WD has its haters but they are at least a named brand and not something sketchy from eBay. Never had any problems with their drives myself.

Also I'm not intentionally pointing out that hindsight is 100% accurate, any dick can do that and they certainly don't earn my respect and I wouldn't expect them to earn yours either.

 

[Johnny Mickelman]

No point my posting links because I'm UK based, but I'd be shocked to find it's more expensive for you. A WD Elements 2TB USB 3 hard drive is £60 new here from a UK high street retailer (Argos), it's going to be the same or less in your country. I know WD has its haters but they are at least a named brand and not something sketchy from eBay. Never had any problems with their drives myself.

Also I'm not intentionally pointing out that hindsight is 100% accurate, any dick can do that and they certainly don't earn my respect and I wouldn't expect them to earn yours either.

Just to finish off this post. I got back most of my files - but it seems that the software the Data Recovery Company used to retrieve my data worked by looking for certain file extensions and few of these extensions (if any) were 'project files' (photoshop .psds documents for example)

Raw Files like JPGs and .MP4s were recovered and the majority were not corrupted.

The company also gave me the mirror images of the drives - as I understand it these are raw data that has not been interpreted in any way and I'm wondering if in the future tools will develop that will allow the recovery of more data - maybe the project files.

If anyone has any information pertaining to that last paragraph I'd love to hear.

Ironically, what I ended up paying for mostly was a couple of new drives and the guy charged me a very small sum for the actual recovery so Kudos to him and if you want to know the company I used send me a message - I don't want to post it here in case my experience was exceptional.

You live and learn - thanks @MajorFubar for your understanding.

 

[Johnny Mickelman]

..and yes, I have TimeMachine set up now - to one of those new drives

 

[StellarVixen]

..and yes, I have TimeMachine set up now - to one of those new drives

It's bad when we have to learn from our mistakes, but oftentimes it is the best experience that one can have.

Never ignore the Time Machine again. I had an accident before, luckily not as big as yours. To me, it is just indispensable part of any running Mac system.

Even for those who have the laptops and cannot afford to haul external drives with them to do backups, it is fine. Once per day or once each other day when you come back home for example, plug it in to external drive and let the Time Machine do its thing. Doesn't hurt, and it can pay off greatly later.

 

[lostPod]

I would suggest using cloud storage

 

[MajorFubar]

I think it's only going to be a matter of time before a MacOS version gives us a subscription-based Time Machine service over the iCloud. I almost half expected it with MacOS 13, but no.

Glad you got there in the end, mostly.