Possible workaround for backed up files

My operating system HD recently expired. The computer repair people replaced both HDs, the second being the drive where my mp3 files were stored. These files were backed up to a WD external using McAfee software. I?m not a McAfee customer anymore (currently Norton through Comcast), so they will not provide any assistance.

If I were to delete all of the files on the WD would Recuva restore them back to the second internal?

Hi bentcookie, and welcome to the forum.

Is it a laptop or a desktop computer?

Firstly, don't delete any files from the WD external drive.

Secondly, did the "computer repair people" not try to recover your files before they replaced the drive? If they didn't that's pretty poor of them. If they did try, did they say why they were unsuccessful?

Thirdly, do you still have the old hard drive with your music on it? It may have failed, but if it can at least spin up, it may be possible to rescue your files from it.

I have no knowledge of this McAfee backup system, so do you know as to whether the files were backed up as normal music files such as mp3 or m4v for iTunes? Or does McAfee have it's own file-type or file extension when it does these backups?

I'm asking because Recuva will scan a hard drive for "Undeleted" files, hence the suggestion not to delete them from your backup drive. If they're not standard music file extensions, what is the format McAfee uses?

The other point is, if you have a desktop computer, you could slave your old hard drive (if you have it) to the new one, and recover your music files that way. You could even stick your old hard drive back inside your desktop and recover the files with a bootable rescue CD.

If this is all over your head, don't worry, just post back with as much info as you can and we'll see from that how we can possibly help you.