Old MacBook Pro 16" w/Snow Leopard and can't offload files

[silverlakerCA]

I want to secure delete the old MB Pro running Snow Leopard. But any external drive I attach isn't recognized and I'm unable to offload the files elsewhere.
I'd really appreciate your suggestions.
On top of that the trackpad is shot so I have to use an external mouse.

 

[Amethyst1]

I want to secure delete the old MB Pro running Snow Leopard.

What MacBook Pro model is it? (There are no 16inch models capable of running Snow Leopard.)

But any external drive I attach isn't recognized and I'm unable to offload the files elsewhere.

How is the drive connected (FireWire, Thunderbolt, USB?) and what file system does it use?

 

[silverlakerCA]

What MacBook Pro model is it? (There are no 16inch models capable of running Snow Leopard.)


How is the drive connected (FireWire, Thunderbolt, USB?) and what file system does it use?

Sorry, 15", you're correct.

 

[DeltaMac]

If you can't connect anything external to backup the drive, you may find that it is simpler to take the bottom off, remove the internal drive, put THAT drive in a USB enclosure. Then, you can connect the drive to whatever you like.
When you have the files backed up, you can format it, then reinstall the drive.

Looks like the trackpad area might bulging a bit... Which is Another Reason to remove the bottom. You will move the battery to get there. You should make sure the battery looks OK. Swelling should be obvious. If you are not sure, you can place the battery on table/desk, just to check that the battery lays flat. Swelling battery might also explain why the trackpad doesn't work now.

 

[Amethyst1]

Sorry, 15", you're correct.

What file system does your external drive use? Snow Leopard can’t deal with APFS for instance.

If you have another Mac with FireWire, you can boot the MBP into Target Disk Mode by holding [T] after powering on, connect it to the other Mac and treat it like an external drive.

If you can't connect anything external to backup the drive, you may find that it is simpler to take the bottom off, remove the internal drive, put THAT drive in a USB enclosure.

Good suggestion but it’s slightly more involved on pre-unibodies.

 

[silverlakerCA]

Is there a way to unlock the Macbook Pro to remove the hard drive - and once I get the drive out, how would I move its contents to my Mac Studio? I have so many images and documents I want to save from that old laptop, which I will never use again. As you noted, the trackpad is unusable as it is.
Thank you.

 

[silverlakerCA]

What file system does your external drive use? Snow Leopard can’t deal with APFS for instance.

If you have another Mac with FireWire, you can boot the MBP into Target Disk Mode by holding [T] after powering on, connect it to the other Mac and treat it like an external drive.


Good suggestion but it’s slightly more involved on pre-unibodies.

I used an USB-A to USB-C cable off the Macbook Pro's left port, I see the Target mode symbol on the MB Pro but I don't see it showing up my MacBook Air. Do I need to use a Firewire cable to make it work?

 

[DeltaMac]

Target Disk mode should work with a USB cable. Connect the USB cable between your MBPro and the Macbook Air.
Boot the MBPro while holding the "T" key. You should see the floating icon (and nothing else) while the MBP is in that mode. Boot the Air normally. You should see the drive in the MBPro mount on your Air's desktop. If you don't see the MBP disk does not mount on your MBAir, check the Air's Finder Preferences (settings)/General tab, to verify that External Drives are set to Show on the Desktop

 

[ab22]

Do I need to use a Firewire cable to make it work?

I believe you do - or Thunderbolt : https://support.apple.com/en-by/guide/mac-help/mchlp1443/10.13/mac/10.13

See what OS version the Air has & select it on that Apple page.

**edit** : https://ivanexpert.com/2017/03/mac-target-disk-mode-now-includes-usb-hooray : another perspective

 

[Amethyst1]

Target Disk mode should work with a USB cable.

I used an USB-A to USB-C cable off the Macbook Pro's left port, I see the Target mode symbol on the MB Pro but I don't see it showing up my MacBook Air.

USB Target Disk Mode doesn’t work on a pre-2016 MacBook Pro. It was introduced with the 2015 MacBook.

I believe you do - or Thunderbolt :

Pre-2011 MBPs don’t have Thunderbolt.

Do I need to use a Firewire cable to make it work?

FireWire is the only way. If your other Macs don’t have that, a Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter (Apple sold one but prices have soared incredibly recently) or a Thunderbolt dock that provides FireWire (such as this one, but there are also older TB1/TB2 docks which have it) is necessary.