Recovering data from a formatted mini mac.

[thenorthern]

Someone I know recently had a Mini Mac stolen which has been recovered but the nutcase who took it installed a new OS on it which has caused all the data to be wiped and I have been asked to see if it is possible to recover it.

The ways I have been planning is to run an Ubuntu Live USB on it and then use data recovery software or to try or take the hard drive out and dock it into my Windows PC and run I Care Date Recovery that way.

Which way would you say is easier and can you recommend any Ubuntu software for extracting lost data or is there a way with Mac OS that I can recover it.

Cheers in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[opinio]

Someone I know recently had a Mini Mac stolen which has been recovered but the nutcase who took it installed a new OS on it which has caused all the data to be wiped and I have been asked to see if it is possible to recover it.

The ways I have been planning is to run an Ubuntu Live USB on it and then use data recovery software or to try or take the hard drive out and dock it into my Windows PC and run I Care Date Recovery that way.

Which way would you say is easier and can you recommend any Ubuntu software for extracting lost data or is there a way with Mac OS that I can recover it.

Cheers in advance to anyone who can help.

Even with data recovery software you will only get files here and there that have not been over-written. You won't be able to extract a complete OS. If it has been over-written then give up. Also is it an SSD or HDD? I am assuming HDD.

 

[Fishrrman]

In agreement with opinio's post directly above.

If someone has already erased and -overwritten- the drive with new data, it's going to be VERY unlikely that you'll get much back from it. Maybe a file here and there, but probably next-to-nothing.

Now's the time to sit with your friend for a few minutes and explain the importance of having a backup drive...