MacBook disk corrupt for no reason. GCSE's at stake PLEASE HELP!! :D

Target disk

Got another Mac handy? If so, connect the two via Firewire. Make sure the working mac is on, then boot the one you're having trouble with whilst holding down it's 't' key. This will put that mac into 'target disk' mode and your faulty drive should (theorectically) appear as a connected drive in the other's Finder.

I can't promise that will work, but it's worth a go as it will let you access and transfer any files on the faulty drive.

 

Bah! Typical!

I think there's some way of mounting a drive connected via ethernet, too, but I can't remember how. Anyone else care to pitch in?

 

Boot off of an ubuntu CD, then copy the files from your HD (if you can get them) to your USB drive.

 

RE: Macbook Disk corrupt

You have 2 options
1) buy a firewire 400 to 800 converter to connect the 2 computers ( get it at bestbuy)
2) Or remove the drive from the laptop and put it in an external enclosure.
The first one is definitely a cheaper and less stressful option

 

His MB doesn't have FW. I knew this would come back to bite people in the butt sooner or later.

 

Aye, that was a silly mistake for Apple to make, although it was soon rectified.

I reckon that the only option you're left with is removing the drive from your Macbook, putting it in an external enclosure, and connecting it to your iMac. Not free if you don't already have an external enclosure, but no doubt more worthwhile than re-writing all of your coursework! And you can probably get your folks to pony up for an enclosure if you explain it's an important part of your education

 

Boot into the 'try ubuntu from cd' bit and it will boot straight off the CD - it has saved me and my mum a couple of times

 

It's been a long time since I used Ubuntu but maybe you could try opening the terminal and type in 'sudo nautilus' (w/o quotes) and it should open the file manager in root mode. I think?

Always be careful while running sudo commands, you can really mess things up.

Maybe someone with more terminal knowledge can jump in...

 

I might bring your computer to a professional and ask them to help you copy your files off of it. It'd be nasty to make a mistake in Linux and end up exacerbating the problem.

The Genius Bar at Apple Stores will sometimes do this if you beg, and the price for the service can cost up to $150, but may be free if you're lucky and ask nicely . Are your GCSEs worth $150?