Bad hdd issue - Laptop MAC

#1 tim_ver

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Posted 16 January 2009 - 03:57 PM

I have a harddrive that just stopped working from a MAC laptop. It is just making a clicking noise now. Can it be fixed or recovered?

I only have a PC now to use and was unsure if I can access the hdd from a pc recover program?

Thanks

This post has been edited by tim_ver: 16 January 2009 - 03:57 PM

#2 boopme

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Posted 23 January 2009 - 11:29 PM

Hello I found this an interesting question. Though I do not own a Mac this item looked promising. It wasn't free but not expensive. I figure I'd pass it along and let you be the judge.
https://www.binarybiz.com/vlab/recover-mac-...on-windows.html

This post has been edited by boopme: 23 January 2009 - 11:30 PM

How do I get help? Who is helping me?
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#3 E-werd

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Posted 25 January 2009 - 08:03 PM

I am not sure, but...

If I remember correctly, the latest version of Ubuntu includes HFS+ support (the file system on current-day Macs). If you boot a LiveCD on your Macbook (insert the cd/dvd at boot and hold C) you may gain file access if the hard drive will physically respond. From there you could probably get files onto a USB drive.

Alternatively, you could open the laptop up (very easy) to get the hard drive out and replace it. From there, insert your Mac OS X disc and hold C to reinstall. With the old drive, you could try chaining it with your PC and trying a solution like boopme suggested. If the drive is clicking, though, it may (but not necessarily) be pretty dead. An old trick is to put the hard drive in the freezer and then connect it before it warms up, that trick has mixed results though.

I had success with a Mac's clicking hard drive at the shop one time when I connected it to the newly-install Mac with a SATA->IDE connector on a IDE->USB adapter. It took FOREVER for the hard drive to transfer data over, but eventually I got everything--it took about 3 days though.