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Copy files off a dead Mac Book.
I have a friend's Mac Book that has stopped working. She ask if I can get the files off. The drive is good, but the system is dead. What is the best way to get the files off with a Windows PC? I have tried a Ubuntu Live CD, but the file folders are locked.
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krdunn's pick
The reason the files were locked in Ubuntu is because you don't have the correct permissions. If you run Nautilus as root you will be able to copy the files. After that you will still need to change the permissions on the files. A search on the Ubuntu forums will show how to do these.
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krdunn's pick
I highly recommend installing MacDrive (www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive) on the PC, and then connecting the drive from the Mac to the PC. You'll then be able to copy/move all files you need to the PC.
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krdunn's pick
Not saying that there isn't a less expensive way, but the easiest and quickest way to do this would be with another Mac or by having the local Apple Store retrieve the data.
Assuming that the drive wasn't encrypted, you could try something like HFSExplorer (just the first one Google returned - not a specific recommendation) >>> www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html
Assuming that the drive wasn't encrypted, you could try something like HFSExplorer (just the first one Google returned - not a specific recommendation) >>> www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html
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community pick
If your friend has an older MacBook (one October 2008), you can boot the system (sounds like you can) and have another Apple computer with firewire, you can probably put it in target disc mode to move the files over.
Apple kb here:
support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Apple kb here:
support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
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You can often put the drive from the failed system into an external USB drive case and just plug it in to either a Linux, PC, or Mac based system. While other OS's can can be used for the base station I think from experience that it is best to use a computer running the original OS to extract the files. I keep a couple USB cases around the house (desktop 5.25" and laptop sizes 2.5" & 3.5") just for this reason. There is also a dual docking unit for both SATA & IDE drives that just sits on your desk and you can slide both desktop and laptop drives in it. For SCSI, I use an adapter that plugs into the IDE 5.25" port with a ribbon cable that comes out of the unit and the drive sits on a rubber mouse pad the desk. I picked both units and the SCSI adapter up on eBay for less than $60 including shipping a couple of years ago - if I remember correctly.
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cgi.ebay.com/USB-3-5-2-5-IDE-SATA-HDD-Dual-Docking...
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cgi.ebay.com/USB-3-5-2-5-IDE-SATA-HDD-Dual-Docking...
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