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How to access HD on laptop with dead battery?

J

jeremyschultz

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 2, 2006
60
21
Clive, Iowa USA
I have an old MacBook Pro (A1398, 2012) whose battery doesn't hold a charge anymore. The MagSafe light shows green but the MBP can't boot up and the screen shows the low battery along with the charging icon. I'd like to pull the data off it at least.

An article online suggested Target Disk Mode but I think it's the dead MBP that needs to be running in that mode. I reset the SMC and saw no change, but I'll keep it charging and see if it made a difference.

I think my only options are to access the SSD somehow (I don't think it would be removable but I'm not certain if it's on the board) or install a new battery for an old laptop we'd rather replace. And/or take it to Apple and see what they can do.

Jeremy
 
www.ifixit.com

SOLVED: Completely dead MacBook Pro, won't turn on. - MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012

There are 12 versions of this model - yours is a 2012? Newer models will not boot if there is no battery present, and that battery must have about a 15% charge. Try a different battery before you blow up your board fooling with it. Start with the easy, basic stuff; work toward the harder...
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com

1. Remove the bottom and disconnect the battery. Then try plugging it in.

2. Remove the bottom panel and remove the drive. Then connect it to your Mac with a cheap cable.
 
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The ID on the bottom is A1398 EMC 2512 which I can only find listed with SSD, which I'm not sure I can access like a removable HD:

Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup - lookup Apple Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad specs by serial number, order number, model number, model ID, EMC number and more.
everymac.com everymac.com
www.identimac.com

Model Detail - MacBook Pro 15 inch "Core i7" 2.7GHz Nvidia Retina (Mid 2012)

This BTO 'Build to Order' model MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" (Mid-2012 Retina Display) is powered by a 22 nm Ivy Bridge 2.7GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (3820QM), quad core chip with 8MB level 3 cache, 8GB of (non-upgradeable) onboard DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) SDRAM, 256GB or 512GB of flash storage...
www.identimac.com www.identimac.com

At this point I could just remove the bottom and see what's in there. I also think I have another charger for this that I can try, just in case the main one doesn't work. I think I'll also see what the local Apple Store can do.
 
Have a look on ifixit.
You can select by model, there should be photos inside the laptop.
And it will explain if it's doable.
 
I found the laptop's serial number and everymac.com says it's a 256GB SSD. iFixit shows the SSD is easy to remove from this model. Then I just need to learn how to access it as an external drive. I've never done that before but at a glance it looks like I might be able to put it in an external enclosure.
 
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OP:
"I found the laptop's serial number and everymac.com says it's a 256GB SSD. iFixit shows the SSD is easy to remove from this model. Then I just need to learn how to access it as an external drive. I've never done that before but at a glance it looks like I might be able to put it in an external enclosure"

I believe the OP has the first release of the Retina series MacBook Pro (2012).

The drive is removable, BUT... something you need to be aware of:
This drive is of a proprietary design (by Apple) and WILL NOT FIT into "standardized" SSD enclosures or docks.

There may be 3rd party enclosure available, but they will be "few" and pricey.
I -think- Other World Computing might have one.
But the enclosure costs almost $100.

A question to seriously consider:
Is the data on this drive really, REALLY worth that much to you?

An alternative course of action:
Do you live in or near a city of any size?
If so, is there a 3rd-party (NOT Apple) computer shop that specializes in Macs?
I'm thinking that if there is, they might be able to get the data off the drive (and onto another, conventional drive) for less money...
 
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Fishrrman said:
OP:
"I found the laptop's serial number and everymac.com says it's a 256GB SSD. iFixit shows the SSD is easy to remove from this model. Then I just need to learn how to access it as an external drive. I've never done that before but at a glance it looks like I might be able to put it in an external enclosure"

I believe the OP has the first release of the Retina series MacBook Pro (2012).

The drive is removable, BUT... something you need to be aware of:
This drive is of a proprietary design (by Apple) and WILL NOT FIT into "standardized" SSD enclosures or docks.

There may be 3rd party enclosure available, but they will be "few" and pricey.
I -think- Other World Computing might have one.
But the enclosure costs almost $100.

A question to seriously consider:
Is the data on this drive really, REALLY worth that much to you?

An alternative course of action:
Do you live in or near a city of any size?
If so, is there a 3rd-party (NOT Apple) computer shop that specializes in Macs?
I'm thinking that if there is, they might be able to get the data off the drive (and onto another, conventional drive) for less money...
Click to expand...
Sound advice. I just want to say - well put! Bravo sir.
 
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After a day on the charger and no change, I found the old beat-up Apple charger that came with it, plugged it in and it woke right up. The battery reports 0% and needs replacement, but it runs on AC power like the first reply suggested. I've been copying files to the server today.
 
Nice that you got it to work. Was the not working charger a lower wattage than the original perhaps?
 
jeremyschultz said:
I found the laptop's serial number and everymac.com says it's a 256GB SSD. iFixit shows the SSD is easy to remove from this model. Then I just need to learn how to access it as an external drive. I've never done that before but at a glance it looks like I might be able to put it in an external enclosure.
Click to expand...
Just stick it in an enclosure and connect to your new Mac. It'll mount and voila
 
jav6454 said:
Just stick it in an enclosure and connect to your new Mac. It'll mount and voila
Click to expand...
Another comment suggested Apple's SSD probably would not interface with most enclosures on the market, which is probably true due to Apple being Apple and also its age.

I did copy pretty much everything I wanted yesterday. The adapter we had been using was a cheap third-party replacement, which have been crap. One failed on us and this was our 2nd one. Apparently its MagSafe light worked but it wasn't providing power or not at the right wattage. The original adapter is so worn we stopped using it but it still worked. I guess if we want to use this laptop anymore we'll get a genuine Apple charger; iFixit has some refurbished.
 
So... the MBP isn't really "dead" after all...

If it still runs, get what you need off of it.
Then... "wipe" the internal drive using a charger that works.
Then... "hand it off" to someone in need of a Mac...
 
jeremyschultz said:
Another comment suggested Apple's SSD probably would not interface with most enclosures on the market, which is probably true due to Apple being Apple and also its age.

I did copy pretty much everything I wanted yesterday. The adapter we had been using was a cheap third-party replacement, which have been crap. One failed on us and this was our 2nd one. Apparently its MagSafe light worked but it wasn't providing power or not at the right wattage. The original adapter is so worn we stopped using it but it still worked. I guess if we want to use this laptop anymore we'll get a genuine Apple charger; iFixit has some refurbished.
Click to expand...
That's how many Apple Store save data during this types of events. While yes, not all enclosures will work, there are some that will.
 
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