Using another computer to read files from a defective computer
Using advanced tools to read files from a faulty disk
Oct. 15, 2020 - Willem L. Middelkoop
This week I received a message from someone with a iMac that crashed. It contained more than 50.000 photos, covering two decades of personal history. As there was no backup, it was up to me to attempt to safe as much as I could. Could I possibly recover the personal photos?
Continue reading![Crashed iMac on my desk - ready to be opened](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_00_Crashed-iMac-on-my-desk-ready-to-be-opened_500px.jpg)
![Connecting the salvaged disk to another Mac](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_09_Connecting-the-salvaged-disk-to-another-Mac_500px.jpg)
![The display is fixed using Torx screws - it can be a little tricky to remove the screws as the magnets easily catch them!](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_03_The-display-is-fixed-using-Torx-screws-it-can-be-a-little-tricky-to-remove-the-screws-as-the-magnets_500px.jpg)
![Some iMacs require a special cutting blade to cut through the adhesive tape holding the glass on to the Aluminium frame](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_01_Some-iMacs-require-a-special-cutting-blade-to-cut-through-the-adhesive-tape-holding-the-glass-on-to-_500px.jpg)
![It doesn’t hurt to be nice to the damaged disk... “pleasssssse little disky... give me the photos!” - But don’t touch the chips!](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_13_It-doesn-t-hurt-to-be-nice-to-the-damaged-disk-pleasssssse-little-disky-give-me-the-photos-But-don-t_500px.jpg)
![The iMac’s innards are visible after removing the display](/blog/2020-10-15_rescuing-photos-from-a-crashed-imac/images/i_05_The-iMac-s-innards-are-visible-after-removing-the-display_500px.jpg)