Comments on: How to save your MacBook Pro hard drive http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:28:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jak http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-26866 Jak Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:28:29 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-26866 Writing from Jakarta. I got flashing question mark on my macbook screen. Reseller here said they would provide a replacement hardisk for free as long as i give my current hardisk to them. Is that kind of requirement also being used by other reseller outside Indonesia? Btw, i reject their offering since i believe this broken HD is mine! Writing from Jakarta. I got flashing question mark on my macbook screen. Reseller here said they would provide a replacement hardisk for free as long as i give my current hardisk to them. Is that kind of requirement also being used by other reseller outside Indonesia? Btw, i reject their offering since i believe this broken HD is mine!

]]> By: Justin Flavin http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-21877 Justin Flavin Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:42:19 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-21877 You can add me to the list - MacBook Pro thats only 2 weeks old! Same symptoms - spinning beachball freeze, power off button, power on - white screen of death. tried everything. now i'm in disk utility via the install disk and its seeing the 250 gig drive as "unformatted" (!!!) in all my years of using Linux , even with hardcore kernel panics , i've never lost data. there was always a way to recover. not impressed at all. You can add me to the list – MacBook Pro thats only 2 weeks old!

Same symptoms – spinning beachball freeze, power off button, power on – white screen of death.

tried everything. now i’m in disk utility via the install disk and its seeing the 250 gig drive as “unformatted” (!!!)

in all my years of using Linux , even with hardcore kernel panics , i’ve never lost data. there was always a way to recover. not impressed at all.

]]> By: Chris Lee http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-19450 Chris Lee Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:39:29 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-19450 I use a lot of computers and have had many hard drives die on me. The whole technology of hard disk storage is pretty incredible -- but fragile. When you first use it, it gives you the impression of perfect infallibility. But this is an illusion! It's not a question of IF your disk will die, but WHEN. SO FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BACK UP YOUR PRECIOUS DATA!!!!! I can easily understand everyone's pain here, since I myself have experienced no end of headaches due to hard drives dying, usually at the most inconvenient times possible. But talk of class action lawsuits seems like a way of distracting yourself from the hard lesson you should be reflecting on -- your own responsibility for the disaster: "Next time I'll back up my data religiously!" PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PEOPLE -- take the time to save yourselves from ruin. Just get SuperDuper, and it will make a bootable backup for you -- that means, if your hard disk dies, you can just boot from the backup and continue working as if nothing had happened!! I use a lot of computers and have had many hard drives die on me. The whole technology of hard disk storage is pretty incredible — but fragile. When you first use it, it gives you the impression of perfect infallibility. But this is an illusion! It’s not a question of IF your disk will die, but WHEN.

SO FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BACK UP YOUR PRECIOUS DATA!!!!!

I can easily understand everyone’s pain here, since I myself have experienced no end of headaches due to hard drives dying, usually at the most inconvenient times possible. But talk of class action lawsuits seems like a way of distracting yourself from the hard lesson you should be reflecting on — your own responsibility for the disaster: “Next time I’ll back up my data religiously!” PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PEOPLE — take the time to save yourselves from ruin. Just get SuperDuper, and it will make a bootable backup for you — that means, if your hard disk dies, you can just boot from the backup and continue working as if nothing had happened!!

]]> By: Pierre http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-9933 Pierre Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:53:18 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-9933 How do I save files to DVD in a macbook? How do I make copies of a DVD with a Macbook? How do I save files to DVD in a macbook? How do I make copies of a DVD with a Macbook?

]]> By: Scott http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-6520 Scott Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:26:52 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-6520 Oh yeah, My thought on the heat issue I didn't follow through on. (Sorry my 1 1/2 year old son was distracting me while typing first post) Anyway, the issue of heat has me concerned a little. I am wondering where and how this heat is being generated. It is starting with the hard drive? Or is it something with the processor? Or is there a program or app on OS X Leopard and Tiger that is constantly running and writing to the hard drive, therefore never letting the hard drive breath or take a break? And yes I know that it will write every so often when idle. Though I would like to know where the source of the heat is and how it relates to the dying hard drives. What would cause a hard drive to die prematurely other than constantly being worked and then moved while writing and I don't know possible head contact to the disc surface? Any way, it would be nice to know if anyone else has ideas on this or the angles I pose? I think Apple is partially responsible and the end user the other. I know that some of us have poor computer habits, though just because my fiance is rough on her automatic transmission on her car, doesn't mean I am going to fault the manufacturer for her poor driving habits. So just beware that it takes two to tango and I think that we should look at both parties. I know a lot of people said that they were gentle and didn't do this or that. Well, how we all handle our computers, kids, cars - whatever is subjective. I can say I handle something gentle and someone else might think that I am being rough. Again, all subjective. Yes, laptops are meant to be portable but not handled roughly. Would you handle your desktop tower roughly while running a program or app? No, probably not. Remember just because your laptop is mobile, doesn't mean it is meant to be in motion while in use. Especially rough motion. That is WHY Apple uses Sudden State Motion protection. Oh yeah,
My thought on the heat issue I didn’t follow through on. (Sorry my 1 1/2 year old son was distracting me while typing first post)
Anyway, the issue of heat has me concerned a little. I am wondering where and how this heat is being generated. It is starting with the hard drive? Or is it something with the processor? Or is there a program or app on OS X Leopard and Tiger that is constantly running and writing to the hard drive, therefore never letting the hard drive breath or take a break? And yes I know that it will write every so often when idle. Though I would like to know where the source of the heat is and how it relates to the dying hard drives. What would cause a hard drive to die prematurely other than constantly being worked and then moved while writing and I don’t know possible head contact to the disc surface?
Any way, it would be nice to know if anyone else has ideas on this or the angles I pose?
I think Apple is partially responsible and the end user the other. I know that some of us have poor computer habits, though just because my fiance is rough on her automatic transmission on her car, doesn’t mean I am going to fault the manufacturer for her poor driving habits. So just beware that it takes two to tango and I think that we should look at both parties. I know a lot of people said that they were gentle and didn’t do this or that. Well, how we all handle our computers, kids, cars – whatever is subjective. I can say I handle something gentle and someone else might think that I am being rough. Again, all subjective.
Yes, laptops are meant to be portable but not handled roughly. Would you handle your desktop tower roughly while running a program or app? No, probably not. Remember just because your laptop is mobile, doesn’t mean it is meant to be in motion while in use. Especially rough motion. That is WHY Apple uses Sudden State Motion protection.

]]> By: Scott http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-6517 Scott Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:11:07 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-6517 Hey all, Let me take this approach to this problem. And I am having the same problems with my fiance's macbook 1st release. Originally I pulled the Seagate hard drive after she came to me saying the clicks, screen etc. Her MB had the infamous hot power adapter failure. I wonder if that may have contributed to it since the power adapter issue came first. I replaced Seagate with WD Scorpio. Re-installed 10.4 (with factory discs that Apple sent me even though I bought MB used on Craiglist without any discs). She is now getting the reboot upon moving her MB. It is rebooting quickly and all is fine so far. So basically I got on her butt a little to basically put it to sleep before moving it and when moving it while on, hold it with both hands supporting it from underneath. I have noticed that it reboots for me when I test it by picking it up like she does which is with one hand (usually the left side) as it has for her also and I believe that because of the plastic body that the body "gives" or "bends" therefore either enabling the sudden motion sensor to shut it off preemptively or possible loose contact somewhere inside causing a short and making the MB reboot. Either way, it is obviously not good for the hard drive or the computer in general to have sudden loss of power. And it has happened with and with out the power adapter plugged in. One other thing I am stabbing at here is regarding the mentioning of heat involved with most of the reports of this problem. I have really just begun looking. I am about 2+ hours into this at this point. So at this point, the trick seems to be to gently move and fully support the underneath of the laptop OR go to the Apple symbol and sleep manually and close lid THEN move. I will update with further developments. Hey all,

Let me take this approach to this problem. And I am having the same problems with my fiance’s macbook 1st release. Originally I pulled the Seagate hard drive after she came to me saying the clicks, screen etc. Her MB had the infamous hot power adapter failure. I wonder if that may have contributed to it since the power adapter issue came first.
I replaced Seagate with WD Scorpio. Re-installed 10.4 (with factory discs that Apple sent me even though I bought MB used on Craiglist without any discs). She is now getting the reboot upon moving her MB. It is rebooting quickly and all is fine so far. So basically I got on her butt a little to basically put it to sleep before moving it and when moving it while on, hold it with both hands supporting it from underneath. I have noticed that it reboots for me when I test it by picking it up like she does which is with one hand (usually the left side) as it has for her also and I believe that because of the plastic body that the body “gives” or “bends” therefore either enabling the sudden motion sensor to shut it off preemptively or possible loose contact somewhere inside causing a short and making the MB reboot. Either way, it is obviously not good for the hard drive or the computer in general to have sudden loss of power. And it has happened with and with out the power adapter plugged in.
One other thing I am stabbing at here is regarding the mentioning of heat involved with most of the reports of this problem. I have really just begun looking. I am about 2+ hours into this at this point.
So at this point, the trick seems to be to gently move and fully support the underneath of the laptop OR go to the Apple symbol and sleep manually and close lid THEN move.
I will update with further developments.

]]> By: Irene http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-2613 Irene Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:42:12 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-2613 Ack. I have a 13 month old Black Macbook. On Hitachi Drive #2. When it was 7 months old I had the beach ball of death, followed by clicking sounds and the grey question mark folder. Had not gotten a back up drive yet so lost everything apart from photos. (Although lost around 40 really great ones from a recent trip.) Then got a new drive, last weekend I was beachballed mid back up (!) and when I restarted I got the circle with a cross through it. Tech guys keep saying there is no chance for data recovery, had to force them to try. (But it will take a long time, almost two weeks! they said. Who cares? I want my stuff back you morons). Will be getting it back with, I presume, yet another Hitachi drive. I have a case file with Apple now and they said next time it happens I will get a new unit. But really, after reading this thread, I am thinking why bother? Ever since I had this Macbook, it has been problematic. Consistently freezing, spinning beach ball on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Runs hot hot hot. Does not go to sleep properly, and often hard to wake up from sleep. Needs rebooting all the time. ALL of the above are specifically stated to not be a problem with Macs on their bogus, 'PC to Mac' pages of the website. I adore Mac, but am now beginning to get a bad taste in my mouth. It's like finding out your sports hero is a doper. Hard to believe but it means you cannot trust them any longer. I was planning to get a MBP but now I think I will get a Sony Vaio. More bang for my buck, and a whole lot less frustration. The absolute worst part of this? Mac simply refuses to listen to anyones issues. It's like a religion almost, they completely deny that there is a problem, that there even could be a problem, subtly infer that it is a user error and that you 'should have backed up' (what every freaking HOUR?). I am deeply, deeply, unimpressed. And to be honest I feel a little idiotic for all the years of Mac fandom I have indulged in. Ack. I have a 13 month old Black Macbook. On Hitachi Drive #2. When it was 7 months old I had the beach ball of death, followed by clicking sounds and the grey question mark folder. Had not gotten a back up drive yet so lost everything apart from photos. (Although lost around 40 really great ones from a recent trip.)

Then got a new drive, last weekend I was beachballed mid back up (!) and when I restarted I got the circle with a cross through it. Tech guys keep saying there is no chance for data recovery, had to force them to try. (But it will take a long time, almost two weeks! they said. Who cares? I want my stuff back you morons).

Will be getting it back with, I presume, yet another Hitachi drive. I have a case file with Apple now and they said next time it happens I will get a new unit. But really, after reading this thread, I am thinking why bother?

Ever since I had this Macbook, it has been problematic. Consistently freezing, spinning beach ball on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Runs hot hot hot. Does not go to sleep properly, and often hard to wake up from sleep. Needs rebooting all the time.

ALL of the above are specifically stated to not be a problem with Macs on their bogus, ‘PC to Mac’ pages of the website.

I adore Mac, but am now beginning to get a bad taste in my mouth. It’s like finding out your sports hero is a doper. Hard to believe but it means you cannot trust them any longer.

I was planning to get a MBP but now I think I will get a Sony Vaio. More bang for my buck, and a whole lot less frustration.

The absolute worst part of this? Mac simply refuses to listen to anyones issues. It’s like a religion almost, they completely deny that there is a problem, that there even could be a problem, subtly infer that it is a user error and that you ’should have backed up’ (what every freaking HOUR?). I am deeply, deeply, unimpressed. And to be honest I feel a little idiotic for all the years of Mac fandom I have indulged in.

]]> By: Esperanza http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-2612 Esperanza Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:42:12 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-2612 same thing happened to me last wednesday. im really really worried. is there any hope to have it work. i just have a gray screen and a flashing question mark/folder icon. there are faint clicking noises. has anyone had this problem but recovered their data? or if your hard drive dies completeley, is there any way to get some data back? can professional companies do this? im willing to pay a lot as long as i get all my pictures and music back! someone please help me...i'd appreciate any support same thing happened to me last wednesday. im really really worried. is there any hope to have it work. i just have a gray screen and a flashing question mark/folder icon. there are faint clicking noises. has anyone had this problem but recovered their data? or if your hard drive dies completeley, is there any way to get some data back? can professional companies do this? im willing to pay a lot as long as i get all my pictures and music back! someone please help me…i’d appreciate any support

]]> By: peter r. http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-2596 peter r. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:12:26 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-2596 Add me to the list. I have been keeping pretty good back ups of my data by hand every few days and my photos whenever I empty the camera's chip. This time, I was downloading a movie from youTube and the machine locked up. It would not come back to life. I wish I had heeded the signs this was coming when last week, the HD made weird noises. But alas, I was not reading the signs. MacBook Pro that had just been overhauled by Apple. Its still under the 90 day warranty. But it makes me wonder why everyone is so plagued and Apple appears to not care about it (or indicate here what they think about it all?). I go to the Genius bar in moments to see if they can get the drive back online. Add me to the list. I have been keeping pretty good back ups of my data by hand every few days and my photos whenever I empty the camera’s chip. This time, I was downloading a movie from youTube and the machine locked up. It would not come back to life. I wish I had heeded the signs this was coming when last week, the HD made weird noises. But alas, I was not reading the signs. MacBook Pro that had just been overhauled by Apple. Its still under the 90 day warranty. But it makes me wonder why everyone is so plagued and Apple appears to not care about it (or indicate here what they think about it all?). I go to the Genius bar in moments to see if they can get the drive back online.

]]> By: Boo Boo http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/comment-page-2/#comment-2583 Boo Boo Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:52:02 +0000 http://www.silvermac.com/2006/how-to-save-your-macbook-pro-hard-drive/#comment-2583 AAAAARRRGGHHHHHHH!!! My MBP just dies. No gray screen, no flashing question mark, just plain ol' dead. Won't turn on. This has happened before a few times. Taking the battery out and putting it back in worked a few times, or waiting a while, but this time it's just dead. Thank goodness I kept my old Dell desktop, although it has none of the stuff I've done for the past 5 months since I paid $2,000 for my very first Mac. It is unbelievable how many people are having problems with mbp. The tech guy had me unplug it, replug it, try a different outlet. That was it!! Now I have to send it in. I homeschool my kids and run my own business and USE IT ALL THE TIME. This is so FRUSTRATING!! AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!H!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARRRGGHHHHHHH!!! My MBP just dies. No gray screen, no flashing question mark, just plain ol’ dead. Won’t turn on. This has happened before a few times. Taking the battery out and putting it back in worked a few times, or waiting a while, but this time it’s just dead.

Thank goodness I kept my old Dell desktop, although it has none of the stuff I’ve done for the past 5 months since I paid $2,000 for my very first Mac. It is unbelievable how many people are having problems with mbp. The tech guy had me unplug it, replug it, try a different outlet. That was it!! Now I have to send it in. I homeschool my kids and run my own business and USE IT ALL THE TIME. This is so FRUSTRATING!!

AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!H!!!!!!!!!!!!

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