talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Hi there, Long story but sadly one of our MacBooks failed. Logic board was bust. Took said MacBook to Apple store on three occasions to be told that it would cost around £500 for a replacement. Was also told that if we didn't want to replace, if we brought in an external hard drive, they would be happy to back up data from MacBook onto it. It transpires that the geniuses are anything but this and after wasting time on three occasions visiting the Apple store, they have resorted to physically removing the hard drive from the MacBook and handing it to me. I have a hard drive cloner which also works as an HDD caddy. I have plugged it in and switched it on (whilst connected to a Mac Mini), I can see the drive, the file structure is all enacted, however if I browse to /Users/User-in-question I can see all of the folders of interest such as: Desktop Documents Pictures etc etc But they all have a red no entry sign over the folder. If I try and access one, it says: "The folder "Documents" can't be opened because you don't have permission to see its contents." I noticed if I right clicked over the external drive, it had an option to De-Encrypt Macintosh HD. I selected this and waited quite some time, but same problem. - I don't think the hdd was ever encrypted in the first place. What can I do to get access to this file structure? I have the local logon details for the MacBook, but it doesn't seem to be making any difference.
sted Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 could you boot off it as an external drive? not sure how mac encryption works but if you can read the general stuff i assume its not drive locked like bitlocker would be. did the original mac ever have a apple account sign in that you could recreate on the new pc maybe signing in with that would give you access 1
Arthur Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 An easy way to access the files and folders would be to login as the 'root' user.
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 An easy way to access the files and folders would be to login as the 'root' user. That's a good idea, how can I get it to prompt me to log in as root? could you boot off it as an external drive? not sure how mac encryption works but if you can read the general stuff i assume its not drive locked like bitlocker would be. did the original mac ever have a apple account sign in that you could recreate on the new pc maybe signing in with that would give you access could you boot off it as an external drive? not sure how mac encryption works but if you can read the general stuff i assume its not drive locked like bitlocker would be. did the original mac ever have a apple account sign in that you could recreate on the new pc maybe signing in with that would give you access Good idea, would like to try but this MacMini is our mac server for the school, don't fancy messing about on this one rebooting.
Arthur Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 That's a good idea, how can I get it to prompt me to log in as root? http://osxdaily.com/2012/01/09/enable-root-user-account-os-x-lion/
TMODAlpha Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 It might just be permissions. You can view permissions at the bottom of the info window. Click the folder to highlight, then command and I.
difinity Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 It's rare that logic boards can't be repaired. What's the problem with the MacBook ? 1
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 It's rare that logic boards can't be repaired. What's the problem with the MacBook ? Hi, this was the exact diagnosis, cost was cheaper than I thought...
Joanne Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 £24 to replace a mobo is WELL CHEAP. Previously I've plugged the old hard drive into a mac, switched it off, when you switch it off hold the option key and you can select that drive as the boot drive. It should then load up OSX as your user will have seen it and you can get to the files that way. How to Boot a Mac from an External Drive or Alternate Startup Disk | OSXDaily
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 £24 to replace a mobo is WELL CHEAP. Previously I've plugged the old hard drive into a mac, switched it off, when you switch it off hold the option key and you can select that drive as the boot drive. It should then load up OSX as your user will have seen it and you can get to the files that way. How to Boot a Mac from an External Drive or Alternate Startup Disk | OSXDaily Yes, labour is cheap, same logic board isn't! This MacBook is over four years old and I can't see it being worth replacing it tbh. Have already tried what you suggest, however have no other MB Pros to use, tried it on iMac it just sits had half way loaded on the Apple Boot Screen but fails to load.
Joanne Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Weird. Sorry no more suggestions. There must be a tool out there for removing permissions on mac folder structures? 1
bald_pig Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 it's possible to ignore ownership on an external drive: https://larryjordan.com/articles/mac-os-set-hard-drive-permissions/
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 Weird. Sorry no more suggestions. There must be a tool out there for removing permissions on mac folder structures? I feel like just dumping it back down at Apple. All it ever seems to be with them is backwards and forwards movements dealing with so-called "Geniuses" who tell you something different every time you go there. Initially, they said they would be able to provide me with all of the info on a blank external drive (provided by me). I have given them said drive and they claim they now can't do that as the Macbook doesn't power up, but they knew that from the first genuis appointment, it even says it on the job card. Then they said they would have to remove the HDD, and I have been left with an HDD in a used antistatic bag with a rubber band around it. Hardly the service one would expect from such a well respected company!
Joanne Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 How frustrating. I've never dealt with apple. I've fixed a couple of macbooks in the past and if they have had one problem another follows shortly. Eg/ failed hard drive. Replaced hard drive. Wouldn't boot. Issue was hard drive cable AS WELL. Well let me tell you I didn't think those could fail so easily, but apparently is an issue in macs. Was only a tenner to replace, but a lot of hours of frustratedness!! "WHY DOES THIS WORK IN MY MBP BUT NOT HIS?!?!??!" I charge extra if someone give me a mac to look at 1
glen_j Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 I've got a 2010 MB pro if you want to send me the drive i'll see if i can get it to boot / back up the data for you. send me a PM if you're interested.
difinity Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Board here cheaper 661-6078 ' Apple Macbook Pro Core i5-2415M 2.3Ghz Logic board – Servercom Or find someone who does component level repair. 1
Fazza Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 It's a permissions issue. Only the user on that particular Mac has permission to read the files. Same as NTFS permissions, just Mac ones! Right-Click on the folder and in the permissions section add the user you are currently logged on the MacMini as to it and then you'll be able to access the files once it has done it's magic. 1
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 It's a permissions issue. Only the user on that particular Mac has permission to read the files. Same as NTFS permissions, just Mac ones! Right-Click on the folder and in the permissions section add the user you are currently logged on the MacMini as to it and then you'll be able to access the files once it has done it's magic. Ahah, that worked perfectly, thanks very much Great, all copying over and ready to go on a more reliable Windows laptop!!!!!
ICTDirect_Dave Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Since the board is knackered anyway, why not try a home reflow? I did this with my 2009 mbp and it worked a treat for another year before it was replaced. Pull the mobo, cover the ports with some foil so they don't melt, place it on some kitchen foil pillars on a baking tray and bake for 12 minutes at 190c. It might be just the thing you need, and if it doesn't work, well it was knackered anyway so you've not lost anything and have had a bit of an adventure 1
ICTDirect_Dave Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Love the sounds of Dave's cooking idea! It works too.
ICTDirect_Dave Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Yeah, they're terrible, but the Galaxy S4 mini was an awful phone!
talksr Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 Since the board is knackered anyway, why not try a home reflow? I did this with my 2009 mbp and it worked a treat for another year before it was replaced. Pull the mobo, cover the ports with some foil so they don't melt, place it on some kitchen foil pillars on a baking tray and bake for 12 minutes at 190c. It might be just the thing you need, and if it doesn't work, well it was knackered anyway so you've not lost anything and have had a bit of an adventure Crikey Dave, that's a new one on me! Not sure if it will help as I did inspect it before it went off to Apple and I suspect it has got water damage, though the user doesn't seem to think so. If you take a look at this image, there is definitely some abnormal discolouration by the battery terminal and some capacitors below...
ICTDirect_Dave Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 You're right, that looks fairly serious. Ignore me, cooking it won't do a thing. 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now