Is there a way to transfer files from a hard drive that wont boot up?

my hard drive wont boot up. even when i try to reinstall it says that it cant be reinstalled on the drive, is there a way to get the files off before i wipe it clean? (assuming i can even do that)

If the MacBook has a Firewire port then you could connect it to another Mac with Firewire and use Target Disk Mode to access the drive and transfer files assuming the drive is accessible. Or if you don't have Firewire ports then you can remove the drive, install it in an external enclosure, connect it to another Mac and transfer data if the drive is accessible.
If neither of the above are feasible then you can try using recovery software. Recovery software comes on bootable discs, but you will need an external drive to which the recovered files can be saved.
General File Recovery
If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten with recovery software such as Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro. Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive.
The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.
Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.

Similar Messages

Whats the best way to move files from a hard drive that wont boot?

I made a bootable USB disk and it appears to work fine. I can still read and open files on the old disk (admin account only) from the new USB drive the old one doesn't boot. I don't have a backup but would like to move files to the USB and then reformat the old drive.
Whats the best way to capture the data?
There are four user accounts on the old drive. Only one on the new drive so far. Do I need to set up four accounts on the new drive in order to copy data from each?

Time Machine is for making backups and restoring ones it previously created. It doesn't restore data backed up or copied in other ways. In your case, it's better to use a cloning utility or manually drag the files than it is to use Time Machine.
(124317)

Is there a way to transfer files from a mac-book to another computer?

I need to get files off of my damaged Macbook and I'm not sure how to do it. Is there a way to transfer files from my macbook to another computer? The damage is to the screen of my macbook and it is severe- you can only see the top left of screen, the rest is cracked/blacked out. Is there anything I can do?

If the MacBook has a FireWire port, hook it and the other computer up with a FireWire cable, start up the MacBook with the T key held down, and copy the files off.
(46211)

I have deleted my private folder and do not have enough space to reinstall my operating system. How can i transfer files from my hard drive to an USB drive to free up space when the operating system isn't working. or do i need to erase disk?

i have deleted my private folder and do not have enough space to reinstall my operating system. How can i transfer files from my hard drive to an USB drive to free up space when the operating system isn't working. or do i need to erase disk through disk utilities without erasing data (but will it delete my programs such as photoshop, office, creative suite?

Connect the computer to another Mac and put it in FireWire Target Disk mode, or use the Disk Utility to clone the drive or image specific folders with the USB drive as the target. After you've copied off everything you want, you'll likely need to erase the drive and reinstall the applications.
(69695)

How do i transfer files from my hard drive to an external hard drive as FAT files? Laptop hard dive is full and I need to clear space.

How do i transfer files from my hard drive to an external hard drive as FAT files? Laptop hard dive is full and I need to clear space.

In Disk Utility use MS-DOS
Try http://www.mactip.net/guide-how-to-format-an-external-drive-to-work-seamlessly-w ith-macs-and-pcs-without-third-party-software/ for additional directions.
Allan

HT4889 Transfer files from a hard drive to a new mac?

Currently, I have a 2012 Macbook pro. I love it, but its kinda slow for me. When I bought my Mac, I didn't realize how much I would use it, so I bought the cheapest 15 inch in from 2012 (2.3GHz 4GB RAM 500GB HD) Now, I'm upgrading to a 15inch Retina Macbook Pro with 2.0 GHz 8GB RAM and a 512Gb HD. A local electronics store said that they will buy my mac for $950 from me, and I said yes. Then, I hooked up a 1TB Hard Drive and let time machine work it's magic.
When I go to buy my new mac, what will I need to do to transfer all of the files from the hard drive?
Also, I have over 150 movies in iTunes that are ripped dvds and 2000 songs from CDs, and I added info and artwork for all of them. Will they all still be formatted with artwork and info when I import them into iTunes on a new mac?
Lastly, will I see a huge power boost in the retina Macbook pro with 8gb RAM and a 2.0GHz processor? or should I save up some more money for the 16GB RAM and 2.3GHz Processor? I'm going to college in a year, so I do tons of email/safari-ing, word processing, itunes playing, and downloading, usually at the same time. A usual day for me consists of writing a document in pages or microsoft word, while listning to music from iTunes, with safari open with multiple tabs, and something downloading to my mac. Thank you for the help, it's tremendously appriciated.

When you first start up the new Mac you will be asked to enter personal information, etc. At some point you will be asked if you want to transfer files from another source, including Time Machine back up. Make sure your back is connected, and just follow the directions on the screen.
All formatting etc. will be intact, since TM makes sure it is.
As for perfomance, the biggest performance boost would be a solid state drive. Have you looked at that option?
And one of the more prevalent reasons for perfomance hit is an over-stuffed start up drive. Mac OS X needs empty space on the start up disk to do its tasks, make sure you give it enough. Take a look at this: http://macs.about.com/od/faq1/f/How-Much-Free-Drive-Space-Do-I-Need.htm

Is there a way to transfer files from my Ipad to a Mac Mini?

The Migration Assistant didn't work, and neither did the sharing, so I'm down to downloading files from the Ipad. I really don't want to transfer files with a flash drive, because it would take hours

The files got to the Ipad from my PC running itunes. I've been using the USB cable to sync . I wasn't able to move anything from the PC (Win 7) to the Mac Mini, so I was wondering if there was some way to sync the empty itunes on the mini with the files on the Ipad. Thanks.

How do I transfer files from external hard drive to my new macbook

I am new to apple and just received my lap top today, and i'm pretty clueless. When I connect my external drive to the mac it recognizes it and I see my files however I can not figure out how to transfer them to the hard drive on the mac. Any help would be appreciated I am sure there is an easy solution. Thanks.

Have you tried selecting the files you want to transfer on the external drive and just dragging them to your new Mac's desktop?
lenn

How do I transfer files from my hard drive to the MacBook?

I am a new Mac user and I transferred all of my files that were on my PC to an external hard drive in order to transfer them to the macbook. However once I plugged in the hard drive to my mac, I don't understand how to transfer my files over. There's no "My Computer" on a Mac so I don't know how to do it. Step by step instructions please! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!

milkaballet wrote:
Once yes but I turned it off! Oh no! Whats next?
It sounds like you got a prompt like this:
Clicked Use as Backup Disk, then got this one:
and clicked Erase. If so, your data has been deleted (not actually erased, regardless of what the message says, although if a backup got started, some of it may have been erased).
But first let's find out what's actually what.
Open the Disk Utility app (in your Applications/Utilities folder). Click the top line of the drive, similar to this:
then click the line for the volume (indented under the main one):
Report back with the Partition Map Scheme from the first one, and the Format for the second.

Transfer files from External Hard Drive to PC?

Sadly, my iBook g4 1.2 GHz (2005) is on the fritz (see my other question on Apple Discussions if you're curious as to why) and so I must get a new laptop. Unfortunately, I can't afford any of the Macs available, and so will be purchasing a PC. I have been using a 250GB external hard drive to store my iTunes library (about 25GB, too much for my iBook's 30 GB HD to handle) and as a Time Machine. I need to know how to be able to put all of my music and docs onto the new PC. Would it be best to not use TM and just put everything I want on the external HD and then access it from the PC? Alternatively, I do have a small home wireless network (using an Airport Express)...if that's the better option, how do I use it to transfer files? Any help would be wonderful!

The easiest solution is to erase the external hard drive and re-partition it to use on the PC:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to MS-DOS. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to MBR then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
Open iTunes and de-authorize your computer.
Copy your iTunes library in it's entirety (/Home/Music/iTunes/ folder) to the drive along with any other data you wish to transfer.
See the following about how to convert your iTunes library for the PC:
Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac;
Geek to Live- How to move an iTunes library from a PC to Mac (and back).

Macbook screen cracked. How to transfer files from old hard drive to new computer?

I had a 13" white macbook, but the screen cracked, and the computer wouldn't work anymore. I took it to be fixed, but they weren't able to fix it, so they gave me a macbook pro. I asked them to try and transfer the files from my old macbook to the old one, but they said that they couldn't, and gave my the hard drive and said I could have someone else try to fix it for me. How do I connect the old hard drive to my new macbook to see if I can get the files off of it? I don't have the old computer anymore, just the hard drive itself. Thanks!

Sorry, I don't understand all of this stuff. Do I have to buy a certain one for Mac? Or will any enclosure work? Would this one do what I need? http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/startech-startech-external-hard-drive-enclos ure-with-integrated-usb-cable-sat2510scb-sat2510scb/10192449.aspx?path=9e9804b6f 287edbfe4f83d36c2a6aa71en02

What is the best way to remove files from the hard drive?

I'm donating one of my computers, and there are certain sensitive files (bank records, etc.) I need to remove. I want them completely removed to the point it's like they never existed, so any hard drive recovery tools can never find them.

Then you will have to get a replacement set from Apple.
Since the DVD are your license to OS X they really should be included with the Mac when you sell it.
Allan

How do I transfer files from external hard-drive onto Macbook Pro?

How do I transfer files that were put on my external hard-drive (from my old Macbook Pro) via Time Machine onto my new Macbook Pro?

I've already set up my new MacBook (which is Lion, I think the other mac had the snow lepoard version)...so I guess I'll have to use the Migration Assistant, not the Setup Assistant? I know if I do that it'll set up a new user account instead of synching it up like I wanted but that's OK. But when I plugged my external drive into the new mac, it just backed up the mac and didn't give me an option to transfer files. I guess I'll study this link and see if I can't figure it out...thanks for the link! If you have any other advice about specifically migration assistant, let me know...

What is the correct way to transfer data from old hard drive to new Crucial SSD on a mid 2010 13" MBP

I just bought an Crucial M550 256GB for my mid 2010 MBP. And I'm not clear on the data transfer instructions.
1) it came with Acronis instalation kit with a blank CD and a usb cable. I'm not sure what this CD is used for?
2) is it best to install the SSD with a fresh OSX download and then just use time machine to load all my previous settings?
3) or do I partition the SSD before I install it in the MBP and transfer using a clone?
Not sure what to do here...

Well, I am not familiar with the Crucial kit you got - you might want to ask them about that blank CD...... however, I did install an SSD and this is what I did:
I ordered a kit from OWC which included an external USB hard drive enclosure and tools. When it arrived, I first installed it in the external enclosre, hooked it to my MBP and then used CarbonCopyCloner to make a full bootable clone of my system on the new SSD after formatting it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and the GUID partition scheme. I then uninstalled the internal, installed the SSD in its place (following the install video availabe at OWC) and booted up - that was it. I installed the old internal drive into the external enclosure for an instantaneous bootable cbackup.

I need to recover files from my Hard drive that stopped while decrypting. Enigma for the local computer shops too.

Hello,
Was running osx Lion, newest update. Using Hitachi 320 GB 5200RPM HD. I5, 4 gb DDR3. Mac Book Pro, 13 inch, fall2011. Heres what happened:
Opened Disk Utility Via Launchpad> Utilities upon normal boot into home screen. Ran Disk verify on Mactintosh HD partition and was told the disk needed repair. Restart, cmmd-R upon restart. Run disk utility, verify disk on Main Disk (whole drive), Needs repair: run permissions repair, run disk repair. Completes both processes on my Main disk (the whole 320 GB).... Machintosh HD now is greyed out, and will not unlock with my password to run Verify Disk. Attempt restart in safe mode, fail. Disk utility refuses to recognize drive, Machitosh HD turns to Disk 13 after failed attempt. Select Macintosh HD, Turn off encryption. Attempt password access to unlock and mount, fail will not accept password.
Trying from Terminal/ command line now via cmmd-r restart.... diskutil list.... sees Macintosh HD 3 tiers. will unlock Macintosh HD (bottom tier), but fails to mount. Second tier, says decryption is happening, but no direction is given.
What I have been told by the computer guys I tool it to is that the HD froze while it was being decrypted, and they cannot extract the data. There is nothing mechanically wrong with the HD. I had to buy a new HD, and Keep the old one with hopes of extracting the Data....
What do I do here guys? How do I mount the drive externally to connect to my mac book pro?
Is this drive repairable?
What sort of file recovery program is going to get these files back?
Why did this happen?
Thank you guys in advance.

You could create a new profile, remove the content, and replace it with the entire profile from your old drive.
But you are only asking about bookmarks, though I expect you also meant to include your browsing history so you would want places.sqlite
References:
* Transferring data to a new profile - Firefox - MozillaZine Knowledge Base http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox
* Creating a new Firefox profile on Windows - MozillaZine Knowledge Base http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows
* Profile folder - MozillaZine Knowledge Base http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile
* Profile folder - Firefox - MozillaZine Knowledge Base http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
* Lost bookmarks - MozillaZine Knowledge Base http://kb.mozillazine.org/Lost_bookmarks

Is there a way to transfer files from a hard drive that wont boot up?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for