Recover overwritten file in OS X

[rightcoast]

I had a buddy email me and ask if there was any way for a file to be restored back to original condition when:

1. They have OS X
2. The file was modified accidentally, and saved.

I know next to nothing about Macs, but do know they have no "system restore" type function. The CD restore saving preferences wouldn't work in this case, I am guessing.

The only hope I figure is some obscure Unix command I don't know. I haven't used a Mac, or a strictly Unix environment (a few linux flavors though). I have heard that OS X is based on Berkley Unix, so I assume it can access a Bourne, tcsh, BASH, or C shell or something, right?

Hope someone can help, it is a vital, large file to my friends business.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by rightcoast I had a buddy email me and ask if there was any way for a file to be restored back to original condition when: 2. The file was modified accidentally, and saved.

Sorry, once the file has been saved or overwritten, there's nothing you can do to go back. It holds true for any O/S.

[rightcoast]

Yeah I figured that, you just never know sometimes what Unix can do. I also figured there might be something relevant I didn't know, since I know nothing about Macs. Would never have even happened to me, if the file was that vital, it would be backed up as a file with a different name, and on disk. What can you say.... ::PEBKAC::. Can't say that to him, so I say it here