retrieve hard drive data from dead Macbook Pro

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Level 1

15 points

retrieve hard drive data from dead Macbook Pro

My 2017 Macbook Pro died (could not get it to turn on). I replaced it with another 13" Macbook Pro (2020). Most of my files were in Dropbox, so I was able to get up & running right away. I was told I could get an adapter to retrieve files off the old hard drive. I carefully removed the hard drive from the dead computer, and ordered what I thought was the correct adapter ... but it doesn't fit. Obviously, I didn't choose the correct one.

Can someone give me specifics of what I should look for to get the proper adapter for this? (The one I got looks right, but the width is not wide enough.)

I'm currently living outside the US, where these things aren't available. Will have to order it & get it shipped in (or hand-carried in with a friend).

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Sep 7, 2021 7:00 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

69,128 points

Sep 7, 2021 5:25 PM in response to crystalcoo

Apple uses a proprietary PCIe SSD connector. OWC has made a USB enclosure for some of the older non-USB-C model SSDs, but not for the 2017 model. I'm not aware of any vendor that sells an adapter for your SSD.

If the laptop can power on (it does not need to actually boot or show anything on the screen), then you can try putting the laptop into Target Disk Mode so that the broken laptop may show up as an external drive on another Mac. Otherwise you will likely need to find another MBPro 13" (2016 or 2017) non-Touchbar model so you can swap SSDs in order to access your data.

You should always have frequent and regular backups. FYI, it is impossible to recover accidentally deleted data from an SSD after the Trash has been emptied. With most of the other USB-C Macs it is very difficult to impossible to recover any data from the integrated SSD on the Logic Board if the Logic Board is not functional or the T2 security chip is corrupted (from a software update or a hardware issue).

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

69,128 points

Sep 7, 2021 6:30 PM in response to crystalcoo

You should see if the laptop qualifies for this free Apple Battery repair program. Perhaps the battery is bad which is preventing the laptop from power on (or even charging):

https://support.apple.com/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement

If there is an issue with the battery it can make the laptop appear to be dead. Sometimes you can disconnect the battery from the Logic Board and use just the charger to power on the laptop. You need to be careful since the connector for the Battery's flex cable is very easy to damage. This cable needs to be disconnected as well as the T5 BMU screw. Make sure not to let any metallic or conductive item or surface touch the exposed electronics. Unfortunately the laptop will run extremely slow if it powers on and boots (it can take hours for it to finish booting sometimes if the battery is disconnected). If the laptop powers on, then Target Disk Mode is your best option to access the data or have the laptop repaired for a bad battery (assuming you don't cause any internal damage as Apple has been known to decline service).

Make sure to connect the charger directly to the laptop since a multi-port adapter, dock, or hub may not allow the full power of the charger to reach the laptop.

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Answer 3

crystalcoo Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 7, 2021 5:56 PM in response to HWTech

Thank you. The laptop one day just would not power on. I thought maybe my charger failed and the battery drained, but after trying another charger - that didn't work either. I do have an older backup I can probably use to get a previous version of the file I need. (I thought I had an "alias" link to it on my desktop, but it must have been the real file.) The bulk of my files are in DropBox and once I received my new MacBook, I was able to access them pretty quick!

There are no Apple Stores in this country, so I have to try being my own "Genius"!

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Answer 4

crystalcoo Author

Level 1

15 points

Sep 8, 2021 5:06 AM in response to HWTech

In late 2019 that MacBook was telling me I needed to service the battery ( ! ). So on a trip back to the states in November 2019, I took it to Apple... They ended up replacing the battery (at no charge). I guess maybe it's possible the battery might have failed again?

I used this laptop one day. The next day I never even opened it. Then the NEXT day, it was totally dead. No indication of a problem prior to this. It just didn't show any sign of life at all... no lights, no sound, nothing. Of course, I thought it was the battery, but after charging it overnight. It still didn't come on. I took it to a local computer store (not Apple authorized), and they attempted to charge it overnight using a different cable. Nothing. So I ended up ordering a replacement & had it shipped.

Thanks for your suggestion & explanation! I appreciate it!

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retrieve hard drive data from dead Macbook Pro

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