How to Retrieve Data Off of a MacBook That Will Not Start

The data on a MacBook that won't start can be retrieved using the Target Disk Mode.

While it is a very stressful event if your MacBook refuses to boot up, it may not mean that you have lost all of your data. If the problem is not the hard drive itself, there is a good chance that you can still save the data by using the Mac's Target Disk Mode to transfer the data off the hard drive. This works by connecting the MacBook to another Mac via a FireWire cable, and starting Target Disk Mode, which allows you to access the MacBook's hard drive from the other Mac, as though it was an external disk and retrieve the data.

Instructions

If the MacBook Tries to Start Up

1. Connect the non-working MacBook to the working Mac with a FireWire cable.

2. Press the start button of the non-working MacBook as though you were turning it on, while holding down the "T" key on the keyboard. Wait for the MacBook's hard drive to show up on the working Mac's desktop as an external drive icon.

3. Create a new folder on the working Mac computer. Double-click the drive icon to open the drive folder. Select your user account in the "Users" folder in the drive and copy it by pressing the "Command" key and "C" key at the same time.

4. Open the new folder you created on the working Mac and paste the user account folders and files into it by pressing the "Command" key and "V" key at the same time. Wait while the user account's contents is copied onto the working Mac computer.

If the MacBook Does Not Start

1. Unplug all external device cables connected to the MacBook. Unplug the power cable. Close the MacBook lid and place the Macbook upside-down on a soft cloth.

2. Locate the circular latch on top of the battery bay. Fit a coin into the slot in the latch and turn the coin clockwise 90 degrees to unlatch the battery. Lift the battery up and out of the bottom of the MacBook.

3. Touch the metal bottom where the battery was to prevent static electricity build-up before you touch the hard drive. Use a screwdriver to loosen the three screws in the long side of the battery bay that faces the back of the MacBook. Gently remove the L-shaped metal RAM door by pulling the long end of the RAM door out towards the front of the MacBook. Lay it to the side.

4. Locate the white pull tab attached to the hard drive. Pull the bottom, unattached end of it out from under the hard drive so that it is straight. Pull straight forward on the tab to allow the hard drive to slide out.

5. Open the top cover of your compatible hard drive enclosure. Lift the hard drive out by the sides and slide it into the enclosure, lining up the data and power ports. Close the cover of the enclosure and secure it using the screws or tabs specific to the enclosure model.

6. Plug in either a USB or FireWire cable to the port on the hard drive enclosure. Plug the other end of the cable into a working Mac computer. Wait for the Mac to recognize the drive in the enclosure and the external drive icon to appear on the Mac desktop.

7. Create a new folder on the Mac computer. Open the external drive folder by double-clicking on the icon. Select your user account in the "Users" folder in the drive and copy it.

8. Open the new folder you created and paste the user account folders and files into it. Wait until the user account's contents have been copied Mac computer, then eject and disconnect the drive in the external enclosure.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make regular back-ups of your computer's data to avoid losing data in a crash.

• Make sure you have enough room on the working Mac for the non-working MacBook's content. If not, you can transfer the non-working MacBook's content onto an external drive with enough room using the same technique as transferring it to the folder.

References

• Tech Republic: Access the Hard Drive of a Mac That Won't Boot With Target Disk Mode
• Apple: Support -- How to Use and Troubleshoot FireWire Target Disk Mode
• Apple: Mac OS X 10.6 Help
• Popular Mechanics: Don't Panic! How to Recover Data From a Dead Hard Drive
• Apple: MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Instructions
• Dynex: FAQ -- Hard Drive Enclosures