My iMac died. How to get back my data?

[Caezar]

My Core Duo iMac finally died after a period or random shutdowns and kernel panics. Now, I just can't turn it on anymore.

I am afraid that the logic board is to blame which will cost an arm and a leg to repair. I am also reluctant to bring it to repair as I would not want the repairmen to have a look at my hard-disk content (photos, personal finances files ,etc.).

If I don't repair my iMac and buy a new Mac, how can I retrieve my files and applications to install them on a new machine? Can I open the iMac, get the hard disk and connect to it as an external HD? I think this will enable me to get back the files (iLife libraries, Excel files, etc.). But will it enable me to get back my applications?

 

[skunk]

You can get back everything on the disk by hooking it up as a external HD.

 

[Techguy172]

Get a cheap hard Drive enclosure and put the drive in plug it into your computer and transfer.

 

[Caezar]

Thanks Skunk, but how would I do that? If my iMac were still working, I could boot it in target mode. But when accessing the HD as an external drive how to transfer the apps? Is there such an option in OS X?

 

[adamfishercox]

Have you attempted to boot it into Target Disk mode? It may work. If not, crack it open and pull out the drive and put it in an enclosure. There are online instructions, and you dont have to be too careful getting it open, cuz, well, it's already dead.

 

[skunk]

The drive will have a standard connector, and so will the enclosure. You just have to plug it in and fire it up.

 

[Macky-Mac]

..... when accessing the HD as an external drive how to transfer the apps? Is there such an option in OS X?

i think the "migration assistant" will do that for you