Give me back my data!
Most people seek to get their data back after trying various recovery procedures include using Disk Utility , DiskWarrior or the corresponding . Your datum is cherished and , given the scare that ’s set in , probably not in full backed up ( if at all ! ) .
If your Mac wo n’t boot , you need to get the data off your electronic computer . There are a number of ways you may do this but the quickest , most effective one is by using target disk mode . This employ your Mac as an international driveway , accessible by another Mac associate via a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable length .
To put a Mac into target platter mode , start it up while holding down the tonne key . When the computer start up , a large floating FireWire icon appears on - filmdom and the boot magnetic disc mounts on the desktop of the other reckoner . Treat it just like an external ride .
If your Mac appear to be dead , there is a second option . NewerTech ’s Voyager Q ( £ 55 typically , www.newertech.com ) get you put on a mere SATA 2.5 ” or 3.5 ” strong disk . If you have an older Mac , USB Now offers an IDE - USB transcriber ( £ 14.95,www.usbnow.co.uk ) . This can also be used to get on 5.25 ” atomic number 48 - ROM or Iomega Zip drives too .
NewerTech ’s Voyager Q gives you admission to the data on a bare hard record
The final resort
You ’ve in all likelihood heard of PRAM and NVRAM . The former ( parameter random admission retention ) is used on PowerPC electronic computer ; the latter ( non - volatile random admittance storage ) on Intel - ground computers . In essence , they do the same affair namely relieve certain scope in a special surface area of memory .
The options it handle are those for display , telecasting and screen resolution , colour , inauguration loudness , videodisc region and recent center panic information . Resetting the PRAM or NVRAM will only apportion with take relate to these role . Any other problems wo n’t be clear .
To reset , turn off your computer , wardrobe and defend the Command - Option - P - R keys before the Zane Grey screen appear , hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time and then release the keys .
There is one final Hail Mary : resetting the organization management controller ( SMC ) which is responsible for many low - grade functions on Intel - based Macs . These let in assault and battery and caloric management , keyboard backlighting , and responding to power push presses and laptop lids initiative and conclusion .
As the procedure differs according to Mac mannikin , have a look atsupport.apple.com/kb/HT3964 .
On senior Power Macs there is a PMU ( power direction building block ) that manipulate a Mac ’s power functions for sprain on / off , sleep and waking along with the PRAM and veridical - clock time clock . Resetting this postulate opening up the Mac and pressing a lowly button . Have a look atsupport.apple.com/kb/ht1939for full data .
Reinstalling Mac OS X
You ’ve got a Mac that wo n’t restart and you ’ve either get a good musical accompaniment or you ’ve bring off to retrieve your data . What you do next depends on which version of Mac OS X is currently installed .
If you ’ve been pass Lion or Mountain Lion you have the option of using OS X Recovery . As this domiciliate on a separate divider , it will work for you as long as your hard crusade is n’t damaged mechanically . Restart by holding down Command - R , use Disk Utility to reformat your drive , reinstall Mac OS X and then either use a Time Machine relief or palm that side manually .
If you ’re running Snow Leopard or in the first place you ’ll need to boot from the original DVD or from a retail version of Mac OS X. Run Disk Utility , reformat your drive , reinstall Mac OS X and then practice Time Machine or your own backups .
