Getting your files back
Good news first: the MacBook A1181 keeps your files on a separate drive (a hard drive, SSD or Fusion Drive, depending on the configuration). If the Mac itself has died, the drive is usually fine and we copy everything straight off it.
If the drive is the part that failed (clicking, very slow, not showing up, or the Mac stuck on a flashing folder), stop using it. We image the drive first, then recover from the copy, so nothing more is lost.
If FileVault was turned on, we need your Mac login password to unlock the copy.
This model
- Model number
- A1181
- Model identifier
- MacBook2,1
- Processor
- Intel Core 2 Duo
- Released
- 2007
- Where your data is
- Removable drive
Same model number, different year: MacBook (13-inch, Late 2007), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Board faults we repair on this Mac
- Liquid damageTea, coffee and water spills corrode the board within days. Switch off, don't charge, and bring it in.
- No power or not chargingFailed charging chip, MagSafe board faults and shorted power rails.
- No picture or no backlightBacklight circuit, display connector and fuse faults on the board.
- Failed previous repairBoards another shop has given up on, or quoted to replace, are worth a second look.
Questions
MacBook A1181: data and repair
Can you recover data from a dead MacBook A1181 with no backup?
Yes, in most cases. The drive can be removed and read even if the Mac won't start.
Will a replacement logic board keep my data?
Yes. The data is on the drive, not the board, so it moves across with the drive.