Laptop died today

[509inc]

Update: Now that you guys have helped me recover my data. Help me decide how to dispose of the laptop.

Lost all my music, movies and what not.

I'm most upset that I lost my BeerAlchemy records and recipes.

I really need a beer.

 

[wildwest450]

That's what cheap external hard drives are for.


_

 

[509inc]

Looking back it I should have backed up my data. Oh well I'll figure out a way to get a new laptop eventually.

There is just no explanation for it. Worked last night when I closed the lid. Woke up this morning and it was off and wont turn on.

 

[malvado78]

Areyou sure it is lost. Take the HD out and pop it in an external enclosure. youw be suprised what you can generally salvage on a HD.

I once blew the control boards on two external HD's. i got and Identical HD and swapped the control boards pulled the data off a voila I retained all my data...

 

[509inc]

Well Im considering it lost for now. It is an 07 Macbook.

Do they even sell 120g Sata drives anymore? Probably not worth the time to take it apart and mess with. I doubt I could even get it back together if I did.

 

[headbanger]

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago due to a defective power supply. Dropped it by the apple store and they repaired in about 15 minutes at no charge since it was a documented mfr defect. If you don't have an apple store nearby try bestbuy. Even if the macbook is a loss they should still be able to recover all your data for you.

 

[Homercidal]

Small chance the data is lost. Should not be too hard to recover for less than $40 if you want to invest in a SATA to USB adapter. Outside of a MAC store, you could probably pay less than that to have it recovered at any repair shop.

Or if you end up getting a new laptop, you could simply leave it in the enclosure and use it as a back drive. There are tons of free software to automatically back your data to almost any device, even online (usually a small fee for that).

 

[509inc]

Ok laptop gurus. How do they get the data if it doesn't turn on? Are they pulling the drive out and plugging it into another mac or something?

I guess I'll take it to BestBuy, I sure as hell am not going to the Apple store in Mall of America that place is effing nuts.

 

[headbanger]

Ok laptop gurus. How do they get the data if it doesn't turn on? Are they pulling the drive out and plugging it into another mac or something?

Yep, that's probably what they'll do but my guess is you've just got a bad power supply which is an easy fix.

 

[509inc]

I apologize if I come off as rude. I'm just pissed off about the whole deal. I understand pulling the drive but I dont have access to another mac to get at the data. Then there is all the software to reinstall and what not.

 

[509inc]

Yep, that's probably what they'll do but my guess is you've just got a bad power supply which is an easy fix.

Nah the power supply appears to be charging the battery and the battery has almost a full charge.

 

[headbanger]

Nah the power supply appears to be charging the battery and the battery has almost a full charge.

I was referring to the internal power supply, inverter, transformer, whatever you want to call it, not the one you plug in the wall.

 

[broadbill]

Nah the power supply appears to be charging the battery and the battery has almost a full charge.

Try pulling the battery. I had a Dell laptop once that wouldn't run with the battery in, but would run without it. The battery was fried and wouldn't let the computer boot up.

Unless you know how exactly the thing is wired, you really can't assume anything.

 

[509inc]

Ah ok I get it now. I was thinking to myself it cant be the power cord, the damn thing has a battery.

 

[509inc]

Try pulling the battery. I had a Dell laptop once that wouldn't run with the battery in, but would run without it. The battery was fried and wouldn't let the computer boot up.

Unless you know how exactly the thing is wired, you really can't assume anything.

Tried that this morning. I'm just going to have to take it to a repair shop.

 

[headbanger]

Hopefully that's all it is but if the geeksquad can't get the part you may still have to take it to apple, make sure you call ahead and make an appointment if you do have to. On the bright side, I'm sure MOA has those cool nascar sims!

 

[509inc]

It figures the laptop would crap out after I spent about a grand converting my drums to midi. I really hope some repair shop is able to fix it for a decent price.

If it comes down to the Apple store I will wait till I am back in OKC. Not stepping foot in MOA again.

 

[seabass07]

There's a near zero chance that everything on the laptop failed. It was probably just a power supply issue or maybe a motherboard issue. If it won't turn on at all, then it is not the hard drive. A hard drive failure will allow the computer to start up but not boot into the OS.

Definitely buy a usb enclosure for a 2.5" hard drive and see what you can access. I doubt you lost any data.

 

[headbanger]

Short of a fried MB and processor it'll be repairable without a doubt. If it is just the PS you're probably looking at 100 bucks or less counting labor. Let us know how you make out.

 

[509inc]

Let me ask you guys this.

If I buy that usb adapter thing and plug the hdd into it will I be able access the Apple file system when plugged into a Windows machine?

 

[Homercidal]

I assumed apple used a compatible file system, but you may need another mac to read it. The drive itself is a compatible type, and should work with a USB adapter if the OS can read it.

I really have no idea if a PC can read a MAC formatted drive.

Another question: Does the laptop turn on but the screen doesn't work, or does it not even boot?

 

[509inc]

It does nothing at all when I push the power button.

 

[Homercidal]

Ugh. Looks like MAC uses HFS which is not native to Windows, but it looks like you can get software add that to windows.

http://www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html

 

[509inc]

Ugh. Looks like MAC uses HFS which is not native to Windows, but it looks like you can get software add that to windows.

http://www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html

Great find thanks. There is some hope yet.

Geeksquad want 129 to diagnose. I'll check with Apple before I pay that.

 

[Homercidal]

Sounds like a motherboard failure. Or maybe just the connector on the power switch. I've seen many cases where the cables come loose and things like screens and buttons stop working.

 

[Bithead]

I just pulled the data off an old Macbook. I used one of these http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1540&sku=30504 to connect to my desktop then this software to access the drive and export data to windows drive http://www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html

 

[Homercidal]

I've also seen cases where pulling the battery doesn't help until you also unplug the cord and press the power button to discharge the motherboard completely. That's rare, but it has happened. At least on the PC laptops I've dealt with.

 

[509inc]

I just pulled the data off an old Macbook. I used one of these http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1540&sku=30504 to connect to my desktop then this software to access the drive and export data to windows drive http://www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html

You used this on the HDD after it was removed from the system?

 

[headbanger]

Great find thanks. There is some hope yet.

Geeksquad want 129 to diagnose. I'll check with Apple before I pay that.

Doesn't that 129 also go towards the repair if they are able to fix it?

 

[509inc]

Doesn't that 129 also go towards the repair if they are able to fix it?

I would hope so. I didn't call though I found that price on the website. I do have time to figure out a plan since I have my work laptop.