Late 2012 - SSD Liquid Damage

[PS65]

About 3 weeks ago I managed to spill a jug of tea into my rMBP. #YesIKnowIamARetard

Headlines; it's dead and there's nothing I can do about it.

However, I asked Apple to remove the SSD. There is visible liquid stains on the SSD. Attached is an image to share my pain with everyone.

http://imgur.com/a/XaaCf

The question:

Option (1) I understand I could order an OWC enclosure and see if the SSD works. The problem, I only have another Windows machine, not another Mac and my new rMBP won't be ready for a few weeks (as I am away travelling)

Option (2) - Data Recovery Specialist at c.£400.

Now, I don't mind paying £400 if I have to, but given I need to shell out anohter £2.5k on a machine, I really would like to understand (1) a bit more and would love input from you smart folk about the risks associated with (1) and whether I could cause further damage?

Thank you so much

 

[Audit13]

You could try reading the ssd on a windows machine using paragon software. I have never used this software but the 10-day limited version may be worth a try.

https://www.paragon-software.com/home/hfs-windows/

 

[LarryJoe33]

You don’t have to get a full enclosure. Just get a SATA to USB cable and plug it in to something. A friends Mac? I believe the windows machine could read HFS? I got one from Amazon when I did my SSD upgrade. Im assuming the 2012r has a 2.5” drive and not soldered on?

 

[DeltaMac]

OP's drive is an SATA card, similar to an m2, and not a 2.5-inch SATA.
I don't know if I have seen a simple adapter cable for an m2 card to USB.
So OP needs a card adapter of some kind.
The OP mentioned OWC, who would have the correct enclosure/adapter for that card.

 

[Audit13]

The Macbook uses a proprietary apple connector. I believe the late 2013 and later Macbooks use an ahci pci-e ssd format.

 

[PS65]

Many thanks, everyone.

One question around using an enclosure; if the SSD does have liquid damage, will Option (1) cause further damage? Ie. by doing Option (1) am I impact the success of Option (2).

Also, it's now been 3 weeks since the event happened; by delaying/using Option (1), am I impact the recovery time? I hear issues of corrosion etc?

 

[Patcell]

Many thanks, everyone.

One question around using an enclosure; if the SSD does have liquid damage, will Option (1) cause further damage? Ie. by doing Option (1) am I impact the success of Option (2).

Also, it's now been 3 weeks since the event happened; by delaying/using Option (1), am I impact the recovery time? I hear issues of corrosion etc?

Either are viable options. However, (just my 2 cents) if the data on the damaged SSD is mission critical and not backed up, your best option is to bring it in and pay for the data recovery specialist as soon as possible.

 

[Audit13]

I recommend examining the sad very closely, even with a magnifying glass to look for signs of corrosion.

Clean the ssd with pure alcohol and examine the drive again. If it appears okay, you can try using it in an enclosure.

If the data is essential, take the ssd to a data recovery service as Patcell mentioned.

 

[PS65]

Thanks guys, it has photos and music on. £300 difference for the hassle - not worth risking it - Data Recovery it is. Thanks for the input all

 

[LarryJoe33]

Thanks guys, it has photos and music on. £300 difference for the hassle - not worth risking it - Data Recovery it is. Thanks for the input all

Good luck. Sometimes it takes things like this to start backing up. I have been there! I Time Machine and CCC to a Direct Connected Drive ($35 US for 1TB) and a Time Capsule (2TB) over wireless.

 

[PS65]

Good luck. Sometimes it takes things like this to start backing up. I have been there! I Time Machine and CCC to a Direct Connected Drive ($35 US for 1TB) and a Time Capsule (2TB) over wireless.

The most upsetting this... I purchased a Synology Drive and intended to move over the music and photos the week after! Just wasn't meant to be.
As you say; lesson learned - the £3k cup of tea that taught me always to backup

 

[LarryJoe33]

The most upsetting this... I purchased a Synology Drive and intended to move over the music and photos the week after! Just wasn't meant to be.
As you say; lesson learned - the £3k cup of tea that taught me always to backup

Hopefully you can give the recovery shop the Synology Drive and they can copy everything onto it.