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OS 13.6


I inadvertently deleted all my documents. I had a copy and when I deleted one, it also deleted the one in my HD...how that happens, I don't know. Too late now to find out.

I reinstalled my operating OS, a requirement in order to retrieve my data but when the window came up to activate time machine, I was asked to type in the address of a file server which I have

no idea what that is, so I had to restart to get back to my computer to ask you guys how to find out that information. Is there another way to retrieve my data without having to go via recovery?

If not, I will have to go through that process again. I phoned apple several times but after ringing once, it gave the busy signal. Any suggestions?


jaybass

Are you saying you do NOT have a file server anywhere in your setup?

Also, is the separate drive with Time Machine plugged in to your computer during the reinstallation process? Not just when it asks how do you want to restore your data, but before that.

Ira, I have a server, ie. BELL Canada but I phoned them and they said I should phone apple which I did yesterday and today but it is always busy. Yes time machine has to be has to be part of the process so as to give you a choice after reinstalling my OS. If I knew what that 'File server' was I would have been able to retrieved my data. I have looked on various sites regarding this issue and many others have the same problem but I didn't see any solutions. Of course I have passwords for my backup disk and my computer but they don't work. I have looked at all the passwords listed under Safari settings but there is nothing there. Hopefully something will turn up.

jaybass

Can you capture a screen shot of the message you are getting for us to look at? Even an iPhone photo of the screen would suffice.

Joe, I am not actually getting a message. What happened was after going through the recovery process, I am then presented with (4) options, (2) of them are reinstating my OS which i have just done or to choose time machine which I did. To give you a screen shot of that would entail my going through the recovery process again, about two and a half hours. After clicking time machine, a window appears asking me to type in 'File server for time machine' Obviously I do not know what that is. I did Read something about using the Migration assistant in utilities but I don't know how I could access it in order to use it. I think my best bet is to phone apple. The number I have is 1-844-789-6262. If you know of some other number, please let me know.

jaybass

I feel rather foolish. I have (4) external HDs and on one of them which I thought was clear, I find there is a copy of about 95% of my documents. What a relief but I'm sorry I posted my problem when there isn't one.

jaybass

Glad you found your data.

AN OFFER: If you are interested, and have some time to devote to the process, Post an outline of your complete system with all of your external drives. Armed with that information we can advise on how to configure your system so the issue doesn't arrive again and you will never lose more than an hours worth of changes. The tools are all built into macOS, and it is mostly an issue of being sure your system is correctly configured and you understanding of what, where, when, and how.

The question of why Recovery couldn't access jaybass's Time Machine drive remains unanswered.

Just to clarify, I understand "file server" to be: A file server is a computer containing files available to all users connected to a local-area network (LAN). In some LANs, a microcomputer is designated as the file server, while in others it is a computer with a large disk drive and specialized software.

Your internet service provider, Bell Canada, is not a file server in this sense. I'm guessing that you do not have a file server set up in the traditional sense, although you have said you have 4 external drives connected in your setup.

Also, it is still not clear to me when your Time Machine drive was connected during the re-installation process, but I guess all's well that ends well. Think about joemikeb's offer above. It might eliminate future headaches.

Joe,
I do now have my documents, however, there is problem, I never opened one until today and in every single one, I see the message, "The alias "DriveDx folder" can't be opened because the original item can't be found. Either fix alias or delete gets me nowhere. There are over (2) hundred and I don't understand why this should happen especially when an apple agent took over my screen to regain them. Any ideas?

jaybass

Are you still unable to access you Time Machine drive?

artie,

For the simple reason I didn't know my 'file server's' address. I thought I mentioned that.

jaybass

Sorry. I lost track of the flow of circumstances.

So you're saying that even if you've got that drive plugged in when you launch Migration Assistant while booted into a volume, MA can't find that drive?

I wonder if the "file server" reference has something to do with your original installation that (if I remember correctly) was erased?

If so, then maybe being booted into an old clone of that original installation will solve your problem. (Or are you there already and I've again lost track?)

By the way, I've got absolutely no idea what "The alias 'DriveDx folder'" means nor why Drive Dx has anything to do with your issue under any circumstances. Have you got an insight into that?

Ira, Apple has not responded to my email of two days ago but I will let you know of what they information they provide after I phone them today. I was expecting some advice of how to resolve the inaccesibility of my documents. I thought someone on this forum would have a suggestion.

jaybass

I think I'm now caught up with your documents issue.

In your other thread*, you said "I have (4) external HDs and on one of them which I thought was clear, I find there is a copy of about 95% of my documents," so, if I'm not mistaken, the issue of your corrupted Time Machine documents has boiled down to only 5% of them. Is that correct, or, although you haven't said that the HD in question was a Time Machine copy, are those the unopenable ones you discussed with Apple?

As for your file server, as I said before, my only guess is that it refers back to the installation, which I think you erased, from which your Time Machine backup was spawned.

And the thing that really mystifies me is "'The alias "DriveDx folder.'" I can't imagine how on Earth Drive Dx may be involved in any of your issues?



*) This post and the one following were moved by alternaut from the thread super duper 3.8 in the Peripherals forum because they are essentially part of this thread.

I've given it some thought and decided that it's an extraneous situation, albeit one that may be similar in nature to your file server issue.