UPDATE
Unfortunately computer techs (three) have all told me the same thing. No way to recuperate my designs. Word of advice, if you are using and working from an external hard drive the better option is an electronic hard drive (that is the one you need to plug into an electrical outlet), the one I had was a portable one.
Often the electronic ones can be opened and some of the info can be saved, no so with mine.
I have spent the last three days going through usb keys trying to piece together files. My biggest loss is all that I have put together, scecnes, combination designs etc. Nothing to be done, I have no choice but to start over, big job.
So I will continue to sift through with the hope that I find something, somewhere to get me started again,
wish me luck and thank you all so much for your advice and comments on y last post.
hugs and flower to all
Michelle
There is nearly always a way to recover files -- just the cost rises (like thousands of dollars) when you have to disassemble the drive and put the 1's and 0's in the correct order. There are places you can send it if you want to spend big money.
Yes if I was willing to pay $$$$ I mayy be able to recover (no guarantee) but it is certainly not in the budget at this time. I will hold onto it and maybe sometime in the future, I will look into it.
For the future, for anyone who is considering purchasing an external hard drive, I can and do HIGHLY recommend SEAGATE (external) Hard drives.
The one I use now I have had for over 12 years and I treat it like a delicate glass ornament as they ARE very delicate pieces of equipment.
Some VERY important points to remember:-
Under NO circumstances should you EVER move an external hard drive while it is in use.
You should always use the correct shut down procedure, never just pull the lead out from your computer.
Never just switch it off unless (while still connected to your computer), you have already shut down your computer, THEN, you can switch off the EHD.
Always turn off the transformer at the power supply AFTER you have shut down and turned off, the EHD.
I have mentioned before, I use my external hard drives and DVD's as FILING systems, I don't use them for doing "backups", per se.
When used as a filing system you can add to it, only that which you want to add, each day.
I do hope someone finds this useful and it helps someone avoid future heartache.
hugs n blessings, Meg
The hard drive I had was Seagate, highly recommended by my son who is a computer whiz. Had it been electronic, I probably wouldn't be in this mess,
hugs
Michelle
I feel devastated for you, I don't know how I would ever cope if I lost everything.
I keep copies of all my files on three laptops, a desktop, 2 portable hard drives, a mini X-drive and numerous DVD's and still I worry about accidents.
It is hard enough having to upgrade Windows versions and worrying about my favourite digitising program being unusable, I lost it once and I couldn't stop crying I was so sick over it, so I pray that sometime in the future someone will be clever enough to help you. I have an amazing technician here who I'm sure would be able to, but at what cost, let alone the risk of posting it and then as you say three have tried.
My thoughts are with you GF.
I have 2 plugged in all the time and one that I unplug daily, so if something happens, I still have it.
I hope you are able to get all your beautiful combinations back.
Hugs
This will take a while to recover from but there is nothing I can do. I will start from the beginning, I will have to get my creative juices flowing lol.
Hugs
Your right, my combo designs are what have me the most upset. I will recover, it is just lousy timing,
http://www.seagate.com/au/en/services-software/recover/
WILL PRAY WITH ALL MY MIGHT
hugs, Meg
hugs
I feel terrible for you!
I'm having issues with my program and am keeping my fingers crossed I don't lose anything.
Some companies are great and will replace your files from them, so hopefully you will get a lot back that way.
Your combinations have always been great and you put pictures on here of a lot - so maybe you could take a picture and then be able to hunt up those deigns - just a thought!
Good luck - will be thinking of you!