eMac doesn't start anymore, how do I save the hard drive?

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Level 1

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eMac doesn't start anymore, how do I save the hard drive?

It's been sitting in the dust, on the floor, for almost 2 years now. I know, it was a mistake.

Some months ago it decided to not start anymore. Before that I usually started it sometimes if I needed a specific file or something.

Now it makes a weird noise (a hard noise, like a *CLUNK*) but nothing happens. I'm scared it will blow up...

But it did this noise already before. Actually it always did this noise, since I've had it.

I would just like to save what's on my hard drive now. How do I do this? Do I have to take the hard drive out and put it in one of those hard drive "containers", which I can plugin on another computer, or is there another solution? Can I not just simply connect the eMac to my iMac somehow (it's a 2011 iMac, 27" model) and boot up from the eMac hard drive?

Or maybe I just need to clean dust. I've tried but it isn't that easy. (I don't dare to open it or anything)

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on May 18, 2013 7:26 AM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

May 18, 2013 11:00 AM in response to Anon M

Hi, see if it will start in FireWire target disk mode...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

If not then pulling the drive & using something like this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-To-SATA-IDE-3-5-2-5-Hard-Drive-Adapter-Cable-/30 0907250926

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,600 points

May 18, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Anon M

It surely has a dead PRAM battery--about US$5 online and is accessed through the same door on the case bootom through which you access the RAM modules. Although not so much with the eMac, a dead PRAM battery can creae startup troubles.

Link to battery: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

The "clunk" noise is probably the degaussing circuit in tne CRT monitor firing up. Most such circuits are thermister-controlled so only "fire" on a cold start when the monitor in at room temperature, like after the computer has been odf for som eperiod of time. You shouldn't hear it on a restart becasue the monitor is already warm.

We have two eMacs--I think the "clunk" is standard equipment.

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Answer 3

Anon M Author

Level 1

17 points

May 18, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks guys!

A question about the SATA cable, or whatever you call it, I can't use it alone, right? I mean this is not like the FireWire method where I just simply connect one Mac to another. I believe I need one of these boxes where you actually put the hard drive inside? This is more complicated then, because I don't know how to get the hard drive out, and I'm scared of messing up things even more.

I guess I'll first try the FireWire method, and if that fails to work (there's no reason it would I think?), then I'll get one of those batteries! 🙂

Probably I'll get a battery like that anyway, to get the computer to work again, then I can offer it to someone. Better than collecting dust here.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

May 18, 2013 6:23 PM in response to Anon M

As mentioned...

PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

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Answer 5

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,600 points

May 18, 2013 6:49 PM in response to Anon M

A question about the SATA cable, or whatever you call it, I can't use it alone, right?

You can. That adaptor lets you attach either a PATA drive (like in yout eMac) or an SATA drive to any other Mac via USB. It comes with a power supply. The computer sees it exactly like it were in an enclosure but there is noenclosure. You can plop a bare drive on the table and move files to your heart's desire.

A most handy tool when a computer dies from a bad monitor or logic board but the HD is still working.

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Answer 6

Anon M Author

Level 1

17 points

May 19, 2013 3:41 AM in response to Allan Jones

Oh, how cool 🙂

Well then, thanks for the help guys! Glad we found a solution. 🙂

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Answer 7

Anon M Author

Level 1

17 points

Jun 5, 2013 12:13 PM in response to Anon M

I just noticed, how is the FireWire solution supposed to work when you have to start the target computer? The whole point of this is that I can't start the target computer -- at all 🙂

Is there still a way of doing it with FireWire without starting it?

Thanks

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 6, 2013 11:05 AM in response to Anon M

No way to use Firewire if it won't start/power on at all, only mentioned it because occasionally it may start in Target mode wnen nothing else works.

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Answer 9

Anon M Author

Level 1

17 points

Jun 7, 2013 12:58 AM in response to BDAqua

Too bad! Is there no other method to start from the hard drive in the Mac, without takings things out or something?

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 7, 2013 12:09 PM in response to Anon M

I've often wondered if it'd be possible to connect one of these & the included Molex power adapter to an eMac's drive without actually pulling the drive out, just seems like it'd be a tight fit, but might work...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-To-SATA-IDE-3-5-2-5-Hard-Drive-Adapter-Cable-/30 0907250926

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Answer 11

Anon M Author

Level 1

17 points

Jun 7, 2013 3:45 PM in response to BDAqua

Hmm interesting, how exactly does this work?

And so I don't need the computer to be turned on at all? For those few Euros and free shipping I think I'd try it, need to see if there's some of these cables available here too as we don't have the same plugs.

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