extracting data from dead macbook hdd

[drum]

My fiance has a macbook whose hdd is dying/dead. I have no experience rebuilding/working with macs.
Can I take the hdd and slave it on a Windows box and try to extract data or will the different file systems prevent that?
Is there another way this is typically done?

 

[TheStu]

You can install MacDrive prior to putting in the MacBook hard drive, that will give you read/write access to the drive.

Or, if you have another Mac (or, in this case, get a new drive for the MacBook), hook the bad drive up externally and get DiskWarrior.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention this.

TIME MACHINE!!! That is all.

 

[drum]

Thanks for the tips, I'll see if I can get one of those ideas to work

 

[Ka0t1x]

I would also call Apple Care to see if the HDD can be replaced under warranty. There was a batch of Seagate drives that are still under warranty even though they're outside of the 3yr AppleCare window.

 

[KeithP]

Doesn't what to do depend on what the problem with the drive is?

If it is a screwed up directory or something similar, booting the with OS CD and running Disk Utility and/or booting with a Disk Warrior CD and running that may solve the problem.

However, if it is sectors dieing on the drive, I am thinking your best bet would be to get Sprinrite, put the drive in your PC and then use Sprinrite to get it into shape. Once that is done, you may still have to come at it with Disk Utility or Disk Warrior once it is back in the Mac.

http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

-KeithP

 

[Illusio]

If the drive is still in a working mac, you can also boot it up in target mode. Hook up 2 macs and start the broken one but hold down the T key. (i believe) and that will mount it as a drive on your working mac.

 

[TheStu]

You will need a firewire cable to connect the two macs, Target disk mode does not work with USB or Ethernet.

 

[drum]

Doesn't what to do depend on what the problem with the drive is?

If it is a screwed up directory or something similar, booting the with OS CD and running Disk Utility and/or booting with a Disk Warrior CD and running that may solve the problem.

However, if it is sectors dieing on the drive, I am thinking your best bet would be to get Sprinrite, put the drive in your PC and then use Sprinrite to get it into shape. Once that is done, you may still have to come at it with Disk Utility or Disk Warrior once it is back in the Mac.

http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

-KeithP

I do have Spinrite actually and the drive is definitely about done since I can hear it clicking when its trying to seek.
Her laptop was under warranty barely So I will get the drive from her and try to spinrite and then use DriveWire http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=39 to get the data off.