HELP - macbook crashed, need to recover data

Question

Level 1

2 points

HELP - macbook crashed, need to recover data

Okay, so my macbook crashed, which, of course hadn't been backed up. First I tried Target Disk Mode - it won't boot on my first gen intel imac (running leopard.) Booted from CD and disk utility doesn't see the HD. So I am at a loss because I had our Disney vacation photos on this macbook. We took it with us so I could dump the camera on it every night when we got back from the parks. Here are the steps that I am planning to take:

1. get a 2.5 SATA HD enclosure to see if I can see the HD. (I had done this before with a previous computer and it worked, crossing fingers this does it.)
2. Purchase Data recovery software and see if it a. sees the drive and can recover b. boot from the CD and see if it can recover that way.
3. as a last resort - take it to a Data recovery pro.

Does this sound reasonable? Does anyone have any other recommendations for me (other tips, software, data recovery company recommendations?) What are the chances that my data can be saved?

I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Thanks!
Jerilyn

ibook G3 750

Posted on Nov 3, 2009 9:07 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 3, 2009 9:31 AM in response to jerilyng

Does this sound reasonable?

yes

Reply

Answer 2

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Nov 3, 2009 10:08 AM in response to jerilyng

Hi Jerilyn,

I did a quick scan of Google and came up with the following data recovery places in the Dallas area:

http://www.werecoverdata.com/
http://www.diskdoctors.com/
http://www.harddriverecoverydallas.com/
http://www.dataicu.com/

You might wish to contact one of these places if Step #1 doesn't work, before moving to step #2. Most data recovery software will run you about $100 and that money can be applied to the cost of step #3 if you find yourself there. A lot of these places offer free consultations as well and can save you the hassle of buying software if the damage to the drive is more extensive (perhaps mechanical).

Reply

Answer 3

jerilyng Author

Level 1

2 points

Nov 6, 2009 5:36 PM in response to jerilyng

UPDATE: So the SATA enclosure arrived and sure enough, my mac still isn't seeing the drive : ( Not showing up on Windows side either : (

SO, I think I will have to break down and take it to a pro. What do you think my chances are to recover anything if the disk isn't showing up at all. Do you think they might be able to recover anything? Some more background - there was not anything physical that happened to the hard drive - that is it was not dropped, or in a fire, or in a flood. It just stopped working one day. : (

The whole thing depresses me : (

Jerilyn

Reply

Answer 4

Dave Stowe

Level 5

5,180 points

Nov 6, 2009 6:07 PM in response to jerilyng

Sorry for your loss...I am not telling you to do this but it might be worth at least reading a few of these articles...this is just one of them..

http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/01/freeze-your-hard-drive-to-recover-data. html

Google....'Freeze hard drive'

Reply

Answer 5

Doc M

Level 3

785 points

Nov 6, 2009 6:51 PM in response to jerilyng

Jerilyn--

Sorry to hear the news.

Depending on who you take it to will determine the success or failure. I can't help you choose anyone, but can tell you that (usually, not always and not every time!) the higher the cost, the better the chances for success. This is not a time to take it to some cheapo; these are your files!

Keep us posted on how this turns out--

Doc

Reply

Answer 6

jerilyng Author

Level 1

2 points

Nov 17, 2009 9:10 AM in response to jerilyng

Thanks for all your help guys. First, I did decide to have a local Mac repair place take a look at it. A $99 diagnostics fee later they tell me that the read/write head is broken and they couldn't do anything for it. Argh.

So I sent it to a company here in Dallas that does high end data recovery. They have a clean room and will fix the hard drive if they can. They are new, so I'll let everyone know how they do. The price is 1K (yikes) but there is NO charge if they can't recover. Also, I asked the question, "what if you can't get everything or there is a small amount of data that you can get, what happens then?" He said he would work with me and we could find a reasonable cost of worth for what is able to be recovered, which I was impressed with. I would love to recommend them if they can pull this off. What's worse, the first place cracked open the hard drive, and I know they don't have a clean room, so that scares me. If I find out they jacked it up worse, I think I will raise heck and at least try to get my $99 back.

So right now the parts (ie a sacrificial hard drive) is being ordered for them to see if they can even rebuild it. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

: ) Jerilyn

Reply

Answer 7

jerilyng Author

Level 1

2 points

Dec 23, 2009 9:39 AM in response to jerilyng

Okay everyone, I took it to a Mac certified Data Recovery specialist and they tried for 5 weeks to fix it and it's totally trashed. One thing, they only charged me for the parts they used to try to fix the drive. No Data, no charge. I just can't see a little bump totally trashing it.

Still sad about my drive being trash.

Jerilyn

Reply

Answer 8

jerilyng Author

Level 1

2 points

Dec 23, 2009 9:39 AM in response to jerilyng

see my last post, drive is toast : (

Reply