I had to send my computer in to Dell for Wifi issues. Before sending I backed up my files on My Passport, then unplugged it from the computer. When I got the computer back, I plugged the external drive back into the computer, but it is now only showing backups made after the interruption. How do I find my backups from last month, before I sent the computer to Dell?
It sounds like the backup utility you were using might have created a new backup after you plugged your My Passport back into your computer. This could have potentially overwritten your previous backups. However, there are a few steps you can try to locate and recover your older backups:
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Check the Backup Software: If you were using backup software (such as Windows Backup and Restore, Time Machine on macOS, or third-party backup tools), open the software and see if there’s an option to browse or restore from previous backups. Look for a “Restore” or “Recover” option within the software and see if you can select a specific backup date.
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Check the My Passport Drive: Explore the contents of your My Passport external drive using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Navigate through the backup folders to see if you can find a previous backup set. Look for folders with the date or timestamp of the backup you are trying to recover.
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Search for the Missing Files: If you can’t find the complete backup, you can manually search for specific files or folders within the My Passport drive using the search functionality in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
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Check for Previous Versions: Right-click on a folder or file in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and see if there’s an option for “Restore previous versions” or “Get Info.” This might allow you to access previous versions of the files.
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Contact Support: If you’re unable to locate your previous backups, it’s a good idea to contact the customer support for the backup software you were using. They might be able to provide guidance on recovering older backups.
-
Professional Data Recovery: If all else fails and the backups are critically important, you might consider seeking the help of a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data even from damaged or overwritten drives. Keep in mind that professional data recovery can be costly.
Remember, it’s important to act quickly to increase the chances of successful data recovery. Avoid making any further changes to the My Passport drive or the backup settings until you’ve attempted to recover your data.
In the future, it’s a good practice to maintain multiple backup copies, including offsite backups, to ensure your important data is safe and recoverable.
Thank you, Amelia! I’m going through the options you sent now…
Jim
jimhall****creative
22643 Deep Woods Road
Milton, DE 19968 • USA
Cell: 302-490-3598
jimhallcreative@yahoo.com
| amelia1
August 8 |
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It sounds like the backup utility you were using might have created a new backup after you plugged your My Passport back into your computer. This could have potentially overwritten your previous backups. However, there are a few steps you can try to locate and recover your older backups:
-
Check the Backup Software: If you were using backup software (such as Windows Backup and Restore, Time Machine on macOS, or third-party backup tools), open the software and see if there’s an option to browse or restore from previous backups. Look for a “Restore” or “Recover” option within the software and see if you can select a specific backup date.
-
Check the My Passport Drive: Explore the contents of your My Passport external drive using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Navigate through the backup folders to see if you can find a previous backup set. Look for folders with the date or timestamp of the backup you are trying to recover.
-
Search for the Missing Files: If you can’t find the complete backup, you can manually search for specific files or folders within the My Passport drive using the search functionality in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
-
Check for Previous Versions: Right-click on a folder or file in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and see if there’s an option for “Restore previous versions” or “Get Info.” This might allow you to access previous versions of the files.
-
Contact Support: If you’re unable to locate your previous backups, it’s a good idea to contact the customer support for the backup software you were using. They might be able to provide guidance on recovering older backups.
-
Professional Data Recovery: If all else fails and the backups are critically important, you might consider seeking the help of a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data even from damaged or overwritten drives. Keep in mind that professional data recovery can be costly.
Remember, it’s important to act quickly to increase the chances of successful data recovery. Avoid making any further changes to the My Passport drive or the backup settings until you’ve attempted to recover your data.
In the future, it’s a good practice to maintain multiple backup copies, including offsite backups, to ensure your important data is safe and recoverable.
