>From what you say the sounds indicate hardware failure. IF it can function reliably for long enough to transfer the most essential data than it is possible that it could be transferred to the LaCie - or temporarily put another HD in the Mac (if it can have another fitted). Install new System to it via System CD and then see if he can mount and transfer priority data.
Boot from another source if at all possible. It might be that in addition there is data corruption so DiskWarrior or similar may still be worth attempting - though I would see if I could get the data first. It all depends on whether it stays alive long enough to get the main data off of it. There are data recovery services - look in back of Mac mags - but they are extremely expensive. They have dust free zones wherein they dismantle the drive and in effect temporarily reconstitute the platens to a working drive. Apparently a single speck of dust is enough to kill a HD. At this point everyone reading is probably - like me - thinking of our own back ups! I had a client with a HD that sounded like a ping pong ball being trapped twixt table and bat. Wouldn't stay alive long enough to save anything. No backup. Data = zero. all the best Brian > Just had a call from someone at work (large NHS PC > infested organisation) who by rumour has found out > that I use a Mac. He has on his family's computer > (G4) what sounds like hard drive problems with > grinding sounds and failure to read/start up properly. > Not sure what system is on it. > > Does anyone know of any Mac repair shops/people in the > Dulwich area of London who could save his data? > > I asked if they had any backups and unfortunately the > reply was no. Doesn't appear to have any appropriate > recovery tools, has an external La Cie hard drive but > at the moment I don't know what is on this or whether > it is even Mac formatted. Have asked him to get as > much info as possible from family but not to attempt > to start machine until he has a strategy worked out. > > Any suggestions on how to best deal with this would be > greatly appreciated. > > Many thanks > > Richard > -- Mac UK is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Mac UK list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/mac-uk.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/mac-uk%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
