2011 MBP "dead" due to GPU issue. How to connect IT to a 2018 MBP to retrieve data

[desmotesta]

hello all

My 2nd 2011 finally died, same issues as my 2011 17" (GPU issue)

Here is my issue.. two current and "working" laptops in the house are 2018 15" MBP and 2019 MacBook Air. Both with just USB-C connections.

Previosly, when my 17" 2011 died, I was able to hook up the 15" 2011 via thunder bolt to thunderbolt, reboot "dead" laptop by using "T" key and was able to get to my hard drive for retrieval.
Problem is, I can't figure out which connection/cable I really need to retrieve data from 2011 with thunderbolt.

Do I need a thunderbolt 3 to a thunderbolt 2 cable? any other suggestions? As common as 2011 failures are, I am really hoping someone have been in my shoes before..

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[cmaier]

You can use a thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter with a thunderbolt 2 cable. Apple sells such an adapter. Others probably do too.

 

[Fishrrman]

Another way to get the data and keep using the drive that was inside:

Get a USB3 enclosure like this one:

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

www.amazon.com

(this is cheap, but you'll need either a USBa-to-USBc cable, or a USBa-c adapter to plug it in)

Take the drive OUT OF the failed 2011 MBP, and put it into the enclosure.
Easy job, all you need is a Phillips #00 driver (for screws on the back) and you'll have to "take the nubs/bosses off" the drive once you lift it out -- can be done with needle nose pliers or a TORX T-6 driver.

Now...
- You can get your data OFF OF the drive
and then
- You can erase the drive and re-purpose it for other storage needs. It's always good to have "one more drive" around.

It might be possible to find a similar style enclosure (just needs to accept a 2.5" SATA drive) with a USBc cable "as part of the package"...

 

[caupljx]

Try to just block the machine from using the AMD gpu. You can find very detailed instructions here: https://gist.github.com/cdleon/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0

I followed the instruction in the first comment and now am able to use my 2011 15'

 

[desmotesta]

Thank you all for your responses

Especially caupljx, not only widths work for my 15" 2011 MBP, I also resurrected my 2011 17" MBP. I am over the moon

THANK YOU!!