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Macbook air fell in bath! Data recovery help needed

K

K701

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 23, 2012
25
2
I spend a long time in the bath due to a back condition; nothing dodgy was going on (this time). Anyway, it fell in and I whipped it out (Macbook) as fast as I could. I held it upside down and shook it and left it near a radiator to dry out for a few days. I had no rice available. It won't power on, but I want to get the photos and music from the SSD.

It's a Macbook Air 2010/11. I've ordered the special screwdriver. I don't know what reader to get? I'm not a tech person, so I'm unsure. The SSDs seem to change shape as the years go by. Can someone direct me to a specific reader for this Macbook SSD, please? I don't want to spend a huge amount as I'm skint. I live in the UK and Amazon here is full of readers and tech things and complicated language I don't understand.

Any help appreciated as to the recovery? Thanks
 
So heres what you do!

First confirm what year and model you have then look for an external SSD sled that you can hook up the drive to..its all dependent on what year the MBA is. Second its very easy to get to the SSD once you unscrew the back cover on the unit and remove one screw that holds the SSD in place. (if it pertains to your model). If you manage to find the serial number or know what model you have feel free to post it here I can further help with the computer!
 
Thank you for replying Darkxrez.

It's a Macbook Air 11" 2011, serial C02GYHHCDJYC
 
No Problem ! so your looking for this type of enclosure ( http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENVOY11/ ) its a bit expensive at 50$ but it will allow you to make it like an external SDD which you can boot from another mac to ensure your contents are all there! (Again its just an example of an enclosure you can search around for cheaper ones but this one is a higher quality one) Assuming theres no corrosion on the SSD (you could do an alcohol bath on the drive to remove if any using 99% isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush (http://www.amazon.com/Swan-Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-Pint/dp/B001B5JT8C)

Guides for Macbook Air Mid 2011 : https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Air_13%22_Mid_2011

Guide for SSD Removal Macbook Air Mid 2011 : https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2011+Solid-State+Drive+Replacement/6371

Let me know if you need more clarification i hope i didn't get to technical !
 
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Daisy81 said:
Let us know if it works. I'm sorry about the loss of the MacBook Air.

I don't know what the chances of saving the laptop are but here is a guide for attempting to fix water damage on electronics. https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Electronics_Water_Damage
Click to expand...

You would be surprised how well that guide works, i cleaned up a computer with a 2 day old smoothy spilled right into it drenched the whole unit. Took it apart completely then cleaned it several times with alcohol brought the unit back up from the dead minus the CD drive (But who uses those anyway)
[doublepost=1455584631][/doublepost]
K701 said:
You guys are legends, thank you. Can you tell me if this is the correct one. It's on UK Amazon and there are many different types and no descriptions. It has '11' in the title which I guess means for 2011. It's £30, which is just about max of what i can afford. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OWC-OWCMAU3...UTF8&qid=1455584161&sr=8-3&keywords=OWC+Envoy
Click to expand...


Yeah thats the right one not sure where its from since its UK shops but don't worry if it aint the one Amazon is great with returns but thats the same model as from OWC! Also try to search by 2011 Macbook Air SSD Enclosure just incase i gave reference of that one from OWC just to start!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SXIESISSD-C...fkmr0&keywords=2011+Macbook+Air+SSD+enclosure this is also acceptable
 
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I'll follow the guide. Darkxrez, you are the best. I can't thank you enough. I'll get that second one. It's easier on the pocket. Once my mission is complete, I'll post the results.

Isopropyl alcohol is a nightmare to get here now. They used to sell it in chemists, but it was banned as chemists don't have a liquor licence. I used to clean all my electrical music/guitar equipment with it. I hope the SSD is in OK shape. It's the photos I want to recover the most.

I had problems transferring them to a new Mac in iPhotos as they were in 2 locations and only one would work so I deleted them until I had more time to sort it. That never happened. I had an op on my feet and had to dangled them out the edge of the bath as I couldn't get them wet. As I lent to turn the the hot tap on, the Macbook Air slid into the bath. Oh, the horror I felt.

I saw a Youtube vid where some woman was throwing her Macbook Air around; heating it; freezing it; submerging it in water for much longer than mine was in and her dented mess still worked (albeit only when connected to the mains); mine was in for less than 3 seconds. It tried to switch itself on about a minute after and I think that's when it blew.
 
K701 said:
I'll follow the guide. Darkxrez, you are the best. I can't thank you enough. I'll get that second one. It's easier on the pocket. Once my mission is complete, I'll post the results.

Isopropyl alcohol is a nightmare to get here now. They used to sell it in chemists, but it was banned as chemists don't have a liquor licence. I used to clean all my electrical music/guitar equipment with it. I hope the SSD is in OK shape. It's the photos I want to recover the most.

I had problems transferring them to a new Mac in iPhotos as they were in 2 locations and only one would work so I deleted them until I had more time to sort it. That never happened. I had an op on my feet and had to dangled them out the edge of the bath as I couldn't get them wet. As I lent to turn the the hot tap on, the Macbook Air slid into the bath. Oh, the horror I felt.

I saw a Youtube vid where some woman was throwing her Macbook Air around; heating it; freezing it; submerging it in water for much longer than mine was in and her dented mess still worked (albeit only when connected to the mains); mine was in for less than 3 seconds. It tried to switch itself on about a minute after and I think that's when it blew.
Click to expand...

No worries! I do this for a living so I had to create an account to help out its the worst feeling but there is a good chance for things to come back ! Keep positive and follow the guides they help the most. Keep us informed of your machine hoping for the best ! If you do land a place to find isopropyl it will help a lot in the situation if not wait for the enclosure and attempt to boot it from another Mac.
 
I will do. I was completely lost and now feel confident to do this thanks to you. I ordered the one on the second link- should arrive Thurs. Wish I could buy you a beer to say thanks. I'll post results soon.
 
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r6mile said:
You can buy isopropyl alcohol from Maplin's in the UK - this is what I bought when trying to unsuccesfully bring back my liquid-damaged (only by a glass of water) Macbook Pro 3 years ago http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/isopropyl-alcohol-400ml-re79l

Needless to say after that I now make sure that my laptop is nowhere near any liquids ever!
Click to expand...

That's great news! Good ol' Maplins. Thank you.

I'm with you on the no liquid near Mac's thing.
 
Hi
I need help with MacBook Air 2012. I accidentally spilled tang(sweet orange drink) on my laptop keyboard. Then I wiped it off and put it in a rice bag for 2 days. Then I took it out and it turned on. All good. Then when the battery was low it plugged it to the adapter and it was not charging. I tried to reset the SME by pressing shift control option key along with power. I tried 20 times. The light flashed and then about 24th time it started charging. I was super happy. However though the keys and the pad doesn't feel the same what it was, but then again when low battery it tried to charge the same thing. It's not charging. I tried SME resetting but nothing is working. I have to take it to store but I am sure they gonna charge a big time. Please help me. No idea what should I do.
 
aks.icebreaker said:
Hi
I need help with MacBook Air 2012. I accidentally spilled tang(sweet orange drink) on my laptop keyboard. Then I wiped it off and put it in a rice bag for 2 days. Then I took it out and it turned on. All good. Then when the battery was low it plugged it to the adapter and it was not charging. I tried to reset the SME by pressing shift control option key along with power. I tried 20 times. The light flashed and then about 24th time it started charging. I was super happy. However though the keys and the pad doesn't feel the same what it was, but then again when low battery it tried to charge the same thing. It's not charging. I tried SME resetting but nothing is working. I have to take it to store but I am sure they gonna charge a big time. Please help me. No idea what should I do.
Click to expand...
Hey,

It looks like either the I/O board is going on the unit this is the part the charger goes into then runs to the logic board or the battery is toasted which needs replacing. If your able to open the unit then inspect the inside you might see corrosion on the inside. Once inside you can unplug the battery then connect the power cord to rule out the battery being the issue or the logic board/ I/O board. The battery in the third hand market is cheaper but of course do the research to find a reliable one. Tang is sticky once it's in the keyboard it will ruin the way it feels/functions. The MacBook airs are the harder ones to replace the keyboards on that's why most people replace the top case that includes a keyboard + trackpad. If you take it to Apple they will offer you a flat rate depo repair around 700-800$ if I remember last from when I worked there since last December.

Below is a guide to remove the battery from the unit if you should need to or want to test it out before apple. It requires a special tool bit which is described inside!

Cheers and if you need any more information feel free to reach out on here. Still waiting to see how the OP fared with his/her unit.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10950
 
Darkxrez said:
Hey,

It looks like either the I/O board is going on the unit this is the part the charger goes into then runs to the logic board or the battery is toasted which needs replacing. If your able to open the unit then inspect the inside you might see corrosion on the inside. Once inside you can unplug the battery then connect the power cord to rule out the battery being the issue or the logic board/ I/O board. The battery in the third hand market is cheaper but of course do the research to find a reliable one. Tang is sticky once it's in the keyboard it will ruin the way it feels/functions. The MacBook airs are the harder ones to replace the keyboards on that's why most people replace the top case that includes a keyboard + trackpad. If you take it to Apple they will offer you a flat rate depo repair around 700-800$ if I remember last from when I worked there since last December.

Below is a guide to remove the battery from the unit if you should need to or want to test it out before apple. It requires a special tool bit which is described inside!

Cheers and if you need any more information feel free to reach out on here. Still waiting to see how the OP fared with his/her unit.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10950
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1458132663][/doublepost]Thank you so much.. Will keep you updated.
 
Thanks for all your replies. It seems a bit hit and miss with water flooding.

I bought the special screw drivers and the SSD reader recommended. The case opened well, no issues. Then inside I tried to undo the SSD screw and I stripped the thread trying to remove it. I just couldn't get it out- the screw metal seemed really soft? Maybe I needed another different special screw driver other than the one that opens the case?

Anyway, I spend over an hour and a half trying to extract it- it was like an operation. Eventually I managed to break the screw off and lift it out. Man, that was a good feeling.

Nervously I attached it to the reader and plugged into my MacBook Pro. Nothing came up, it didn't show on the screen or in 'Finder'. I tried the other USB slot and it DID show. Everything was in there! I got all my photos off! Next is music. Oh yeah!

So a big thanks to everyone that helped me- it is REALLY appreciated.

Ps I could see not rust or water damage. Only fluff in there. I removed it and tried to power in (before I attempted to remove the SSD). It just wouldn't power on. I have no idea what blew.

It fell in the bath and I whipped it out. It was in the for less that 3 secs. The power went off. As I moved toward the radiator, it tried to power itself on again and then it cut out- I think it was this that caused something to blow- electricity going to places it shouldn't? Who knows?
[doublepost=1458415274][/doublepost]I should have re-read the last message and unplugged the battery to test if it was that. I started the 'operation' late at night and just went for it without looking here again first. Apologies for not trying that after your helpful reply.
 
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