[Sakino]

If things cannot get worse with Apple on my end, my motherboard doesn't work anymore. This is after going through 4 15 inch al powerbooks since they were first released. This powerbook alone has been sent in 2 times for things, and it has come back in worse condition than sent in. For instance scratches and half the things not fixed.
Well apple refuses to send me a new powerbook, so I have to send it in. THERE IS A PROBLEM my entire semester worth of school work is on there, I have some of it backed up. I been so busy i didn't back up my last month worth of work and finals are 2 weeks away.

The question is:
How can I access my hd, do I need to take the computer apart. I was at the apple store one day and remember there are alternative routes like hooking two macs together?
Can anyone fill me in if there is an easy way to access my HD with a failed motherboard?

Thanks
Josh

[d.fine]

Don't know enough, but I think you can try FireWire target mode :
__
To transfer files using FireWire:

Shut down the first computer and leave the second computer on.

Connect the two computers using a 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable. (If both computers have higher-speed FireWire 800 ports in addition to the standard FireWire 400 ports, you can use a 9-pin to 9-pin cable with the FireWire 800 ports to transfer data at higher speeds.)

Start up the first computer while holding down the T key.

A disk icon for the first computer appears on the desktop on the second computer. Drag files to and from the disk to transfer them.

When you finish, eject the first computer's disk by dragging its icon to the Trash.

Push the power button on the first computer to shut it down and disconnect the FireWire cable.
--
Hope this helps, good luck

[ibook_steve]

If the motherboard is dead, you can't use target disk mode. If you absolutely need that drive, you'll have to disassemble the machine, remove the drive, and put it in a Firewire drive case. What exactly is wrong with the machine that leads you to think it is a dead motherboard?

Steve

[urrl78]

There is a chance if you are able to take it to an Apple store the genius can back up the data for you after removing the HD. Your warranty may be voided if you try it yourself (new 15" Aluminums). So just see what an Apple rep says before tinkering.

[romeosc]

Keep trying to boot in "Target mode". After 40 or so restarts, I was able to get a friends iBook with a bad logic board to boot and copied hard drive prior to sending in for logic board replacement. Apple will back up your data for $50. He was able to use the backup on his Imac until the ibook was returned with new Logic board!