Cloning a MAC HDD to a new HDD (With Windows)

[Anthony Gnesotto]

Hey guys,

So I've been searching around for a good portion of the afternoon and I can't seem to find a difinitive answer to what seems to be an easy solution.

I have a Macbook pro that has a failing hard drive. It's in such a bad state that I can't boot the machine and run cloning software on it. With that being said...

I'm wondering if there is a program that I can use on my Windows machine that I can hook the bad hard drive and a good hard drive in a bay with and then clone them from there.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If said Mac has intel cpu, which most do unless you go back to the days of the g4/g5 processors or before, if you have a recent copy of parted magic or other linux distro, you should be able to boot it up and ddrescue and have it skip bad sectors.

Also, if memory serves, you can actually attach an external drive to it, and boot the machine from install media such as a disc, or these days it is probably usb(been a few years since I was really into working on macs), but you might be able to install Mac OS to the external drive and then do your recovery from there.

 

[lcoughey]

Whether you use a Mac or Windows, you are still stuck with the same issue...the drive is starting to crash and either of them will be happy to kill your drive for you.

1. Best option - seek the assistance of a data recovery pro where you have the highest chance to get the best recovery possible
2. Better option - seek the assistance of a fellow TN member who has a RapidSpar and get them to image the drive for you, if they can
3. Good option - image the drive with ddrescue within Linux

If you start at option 3 and work your way to option 1, each attempt will reduce the chances of the next. Although it can and is usually done in that order, the best way of doing is to go directly to the best you are willing to pay for.

Cheers!
Luke