iMac Broken - can't access the SSD via external enclose

[rich333]

Hi,

My 2010 iMac Broke down so I dismantled it and removed the stock HDD & an OWC SSD which the OS was installed on.

I can access the HDD ok on windows with programs such as Paragon HFS, HFS Explorer, etc. with an enclosure.

But I cannot get the SSD to show up in windows or linux, I no longer have access to OSX. The drive was not encrypted but there was a login user password set.

I have tried 3 different encloses, USB cables, Y cables, etc. They work fine with the other HDD just not the SSD but they are on the old side and only USB 2.0. Do I need a special enclosure for SSD?

What can I do to access the drive?
Appreciate any help! Thanks

 

[Fishrrman]

You didn't say what the symptoms of the iMac "breakdown" were.

Could the SSD have failed?
Unlike HDD's (which often give some indication that they're getting ready to fail), when an SSD fails, it can just "go dark". No access at all.

Could this be the problem in your case?

You know no one who might have another Mac you could use to attempt to access the drive?

 

[rich333]

Thanks for replying.

Failure due to logic board or gfx card, so SSD should be fine.

I can't get access to another mac.

 

[lostless]

Thanks for replying.

Failure due to logic board or gfx card, so SSD should be fine.

I can't get access to another mac.

Is it possible it’s formatted as the new APFS? If so, no windows or Linux version will see it. Only a Mac running High Sierra.

 

[rich333]

The drive hasn't been formatted for a couple years, so I think it would be HFS

 

[Fishrrman]

I reckon these are your choices:
1. Find another Mac and use that to access the drive.
2. Take the drive to a local shop that fixes Macs, and see if they (for a fee) will access the drive, and copy the data onto a PC-formatted drive for you.
3. Send the drive to a professional data recovery outfit (will cost considerable money).

 

[Significant1]

Maybe you had filevault enabled?

 

[rich333]

No filevault enabled.

I have been able to get the drive to show up in "DiskInternal Linux Reader" but it states it cannot open and the label is "(empty)".

In windows disk management the drive shows up "Not Initialized" and when I try to Initialize its says disk cannot to to I/O error.

I took the drive to the local Apple re-seller to copy the drive. I should find out in a day or two if they can get the data.

I'm starting to think that the only problem was the SSD and wish I'd checked if I could boot off USB before i fully dismantled my iMac (I really doubt I can put it back together now). I had the chime and white screen (no logo) on boot, troubleshooting with Apple on the phone (reset pram, etc) did nothing. Took to local store, they couldn't run diagnostic, even over network. They told me it was either the Logic Board or GFX card, neither they could replace.

Is there anyway to test the logic board or gfx card now that they are out of the mac so I could sell them on ebay?