Anon M

Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

Q: 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

I have this question too

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

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by BDAqua,Helpful

BDAqua May 18, 2013 11:00 AM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 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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by Allan Jones,Helpful

Allan Jones May 18, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Anon M
Level 8 (35,321 points)

iPad

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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by Anon M,

Anon M May 18, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Allan Jones
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

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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by BDAqua,

BDAqua May 18, 2013 6:23 PM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 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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by Allan Jones,

Allan Jones May 18, 2013 6:49 PM in response to Anon M
Level 8 (35,321 points)

iPad

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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by Anon M,

Anon M May 19, 2013 3:41 AM in response to Allan Jones
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

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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by Anon M,

Anon M Jun 5, 2013 12:13 PM in response to Anon M
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

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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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Jun 6, 2013 11:05 AM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 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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by Anon M,

Anon M Jun 7, 2013 12:58 AM in response to BDAqua
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

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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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Jun 7, 2013 12:09 PM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 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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by Anon M,

Anon M Jun 7, 2013 3:45 PM in response to BDAqua
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

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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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Jun 7, 2013 9:04 PM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 points)

Jun 7, 2013 9:04 PM in response to Anon M

Can't see yourv latest reply... sometimes posting to it will then show it... testing...
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Jun 7, 2013 9:02 PM in response to Anon M
Level 10 (123,905 points)

Jun 7, 2013 9:02 PM in response to Anon M

It worked!

If I can find ne of mine I'll try it myself, but in your locale, tes, you may need an AC adpter/plug for the unit's AC plugin.

If it worked, you'd need not have the eMac plugged in or working at all.
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by Anon M,

Anon M Jun 8, 2013 3:09 AM in response to BDAqua
Level 1 (6 points)

Desktops

Jun 8, 2013 3:09 AM in response to BDAqua

Weird, haven't had this bug before yet?

That sounds like a good solution. Where exactly or what exactly do I plug where?
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