TiffanyAZ
Level 1 (8 points)
Notebooks

Q: How can I recover data from an old macbook using a new macbook?

Hello! 

 

I have an old white MacBook from December, 2007.  After many years of faithful service, she crashed on me.  When I power it on, I see the flashing-folder-with-a-question-mark of death.  I have tried booting up while holding down various keys ("solutions" I found online) in order to select a new file, but no options are given and the folder with a question mark continues to flash.

 

I am panicking a bit, as my wedding pictures, baby pictures and master's thesis are all on that hard drive - and like a moron, I never backed it up.  :-(

 

I understand that I have the option of removing the hard drive, putting it into a hard drive enclosure, and then plugging it into my new MacBook Air.  Since the old MacBook requires a rocket scientist and the highly developed skills of the world's best neurosurgeon to disassemble, I am certain I am going to screw it up and it scares me.  Just in case, can anyone tell me which hard drive enclosure I should use?

 

What I'd really like to do is something I have heard about where you buy a cord that connects the two machines and allows you to pull over the data from the old computer using the new computer.  Do you think this could work?  If so, what kind of cord do I need, where can I get it, and beyond connecting the two computers, what else do I need to do?

 

I'd appreciate any feed back you might be able to give me!

Posted on May 25, 2016 1:04 AM

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TiffanyAZ

Q: How can I recover data from an old macbook using a new macbook?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by D.Cohen,

    D.Cohen D.Cohen May 25, 2016 1:11 AM in response to TiffanyAZ
    Level 6 (8,424 points)
    Desktops
    May 25, 2016 1:11 AM in response to TiffanyAZ

    Have you tried restarting your Mac in Safe mode:

    - Shut down your Mac

    - Wait until your computer turns off and after that press the Power button

    - Right after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key

    - Release the Shift key when you see a grey Apple sign and the progress bar below this sign

    - Once you see Desktop, start a Disk Utility scan to detect and repair file system errors (don't forget to choose your main hard drive)

    - Click on Verify Disk and then, if asked to fix problems, on Repair Disk

    - After this, click on Verify Disk Permissions and then on Repair Disk Permissions

    - After the process is finished, shut down your Mac and turn it back on after about 30 seconds

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 25, 2016 3:40 AM in response to TiffanyAZ
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 25, 2016 3:40 AM in response to TiffanyAZ

    Actually removing a Macbook hard drive requires a little less than a rocket scientist. If you can operate a phillips screwdriver to remove three, yes three, screws you can remove the hard drive. It literally takes 5 minutes tops. Here are step by step instructions with pictures you can follow if you decide to have a go at it https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Core+2+Duo+Hard+Drive+Replacement/514

    If not and you want to try Firewire Target Disk Mode How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode - Apple Support you'll need a firewire 400 cable, a firewire 400 to firewire 800 adapter and a firewire to Thunderbolt adapter.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 25, 2016 7:01 AM in response to TiffanyAZ
    Level 9 (53,695 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 25, 2016 7:01 AM in response to TiffanyAZ

    You can try the previously posted suggestions but it is more than likely the drive itself that is the problem and moving it to an enclosure will not help.

     

    You do not say which operating system version you were running. It may be possible to boot from an installer disc or second drive and use Disk Utility to repair the drive's directory.  The instructions on booting to Safe Mode essentially do this using the current drive.  Sometimes this requires a stronger tool such as DiskWarrior but the problem with DW is it costs $100 and there is no trial or test mode to see if it can actually do what you want before you buy it.

     

    If the drive itself is failing you may be able to rescue files using file recovery software.  The results may not be pretty (such as ending up with a thousand files but no names) but if you are desperate...

     

    If file recovery software does not work there are recovery services which can attempt data rescue from drives but they are very, very expensive (think hundreds to thousands of dollars).

     

    Diskwarrior - http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/

     

    Top Ten Mac File Recovery Review 2015 - http://www.cisdem.com/resource/mac-file-recovery-review-2015.html

     

    *File Recovery*

     

    General reading on this topic - http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/datarecovery.html

  • by TiffanyAZ,

    TiffanyAZ TiffanyAZ May 25, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 25, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    It is actually one of the old white MacBook notebooks. I have taken it apart before following a lengthy YouTube video and it's aoracle I was able to put it back together. It good quite a while!!  

  • by TiffanyAZ,

    TiffanyAZ TiffanyAZ May 25, 2016 9:07 AM in response to D.Cohen
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 25, 2016 9:07 AM in response to D.Cohen

    D. Cohen,

     

    It has been a while aince I tried all of the boot up procedures so for kicks, I tried yours again. Unfortunately, I still get the flashing folder with a questiob Mark.