neko_kitty

Q: Can I back up my macbook contents to another macbook using firewire cable? First macbook wont start up (utility cant repair it)

Hi guys, I'm in big trouble here because i use my second mac for work!  I turned it off and it was fine in the morning but internet wouldnt work on it for some reason (no connection problems though). Used hard reset, and now it wont start up. There's the apple logo, loading line thingy, but then it will switch off. Tried the utility - reported missing records etc and said it cant repair the disc. It asks me to back up & reformat. It wont let me reinstall os x either - it says locked, or there is no disc to choose from.  I don't know how to back it up though - can I buy the firewire cable and hook up it to my second mac? Is it pretty easy to do? Or do I need an external drive?  Thanks x

Posted on Sep 29, 2015 8:01 AM

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Q: Can I back up my macbook contents to another macbook using firewire cable? First macbook wont start up (utility cant repair it)

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  • by kaz-k,Helpful

    kaz-k kaz-k Sep 29, 2015 11:10 AM in response to neko_kitty
    Level 5 (5,774 points)
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    Sep 29, 2015 11:10 AM in response to neko_kitty
  • by Johnb-one,Solvedanswer

    Johnb-one Johnb-one Sep 29, 2015 8:31 AM in response to neko_kitty
    Level 4 (1,886 points)
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    Sep 29, 2015 8:31 AM in response to neko_kitty

    yes you sure can. It's called "Target mode". I don't know what model of MacBook Pro you have or even the OS, so I can only give you general advice.shut down the computer you want to get files from, and the other computer, connect the firewire cable, and start up the computer you want to get the files from

    and hold down the "T" key. the computer should show up on the other one's desktop, and then you can start to repair.  Failing that, if your MacBook Pro is pretty recent, you could try recovery partition. Reboot computer, hold down Apple+r keys until it boots into the recovery partition, then use OS X tools to see if you can maybe repair the disc or reinstall the OS.  If that doesn't work, plug in an Ethernet cable, press Option, Apple, R for Internet recovery....

     

    if none of those work, see if you can zap the pram, reboot computer, hold down apple, option p, and r for 3 bongs then let go

    failing that, try resetting the SMC. shut down computer, on left side of keyboard, hold down shift, control, option and power  for 30 seconds, release buttons, and press power button to turn on computer.  If absolutely nothing works, then you may be in some kinda trouble.  I'm guessing you didn't do a backup, did you??  an external drive would be helpful, and you'd need to buy some kind of data recovery software, such as Data Rescue 3. I'm sure there are others out there that work just as well

     

    good luck to you

     

    JB

  • by neko_kitty,

    neko_kitty neko_kitty Sep 29, 2015 11:10 AM in response to Johnb-one
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 29, 2015 11:10 AM in response to Johnb-one

    Thank you, I will definitely try that! And no, I didn't do a back up :/