Apple Mac Mini 2018 - Issues... help please.

[russy01]

Afternoon,

We have a very new (4 month old), 2018 Apple Mac Mini. Out of nowhere its stopped working - cannot be turned on. We have tried multiple power leads etc, but it's dead.

Apple want to take it back and replace and cannot guarantee data recovery. Our local computer place took it apart and realised they were unable to remove the HDD/Storage - thus returned it to me having done nothing. I think they were saying something along the lines of the HDD being integral to the main board, i.e I assume they were expecting to unplug the drive and simply install in another machine to recover the data.

Before I start ringing around random repair places, does anybody here know whether it's easy to recover data from this machine?

Thanks.

[Bikerjon]

You need to go back to Apple with that one. The storage is soldered directly to the logic board so typical data recovery methods don't apply. It could just be a power supply fault.

[tim0409]

I agree that you really need to go back to Apple; not only is the SSD soldered on, I think the latest Mac Mini has the T2 security chip, which makes data recovery pretty much impossible by a third party. Apple can transfer data if the board is partially functioning -
https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recov...

[thebraketester]

Easy no. Possible yes.

[devnull]

Don't take it anywhere except Apple. Only Apple have the full suite of correct tools to repair these (like it or not).

Out of curiosity, is your data on that drive really that valuable? (Used to work in a similar sector and 'valuable data' to some people used to mean things like shoppiing lists, christmas card lists, community centre posters and other stuff that really wasn't valuable).

If it was valuable, why wasn't it backed up? I know it's a typical smug question to ask, but we live in a time where access to reliable and simple backup solutions has never been easier.

Also: It's a Mac - are you sure your data isn't already sitting on icloud? Sign into your icloud files online and have a look if they are there.

Edited by devnull on Friday 4th October 08:57

[russy01]

devnull said:

Don't take it anywhere except Apple. Only Apple have the full suite of correct tools to repair these (like it or not).

Out of curiosity, is your data on that drive really that valuable? (Used to work in a similar sector and 'valuable data' to some people used to mean things like shoppiing lists, christmas card lists, community centre posters and other stuff that really wasn't valuable).

If it was valuable, why wasn't it backed up? I know it's a typical smug question to ask, but we live in a time where access to reliable and simple backup solutions has never been easier.

Also: It's a Mac - are you sure your data isn't already sitting on icloud? Sign into your icloud files online and have a look if they are there.

Edited by devnull on Friday 4th October 08:57

Back up issue with Time Capsule, so not backed up properly.

Data would be handy but its not the end of the world if its lost - its just a case of convenience if we can recover. Plus time is money, the cost of data recovery more than pays for the recreation of said files.

I'll be popping into the Apple shop, thanks for your help.

[OlonMusky]

devnull said:

Don't take it anywhere except Apple. Only Apple have the full suite of correct tools to repair these (like it or not).

I'm sorry but what a load of misleading BS. Apple never do component level repairs, which is what would be needed here, and that is why he was told that they cannot guarantee data recovery (as they will give him a replacement, which will also most likely be a refurb).

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts. It can be a very simple fix - there's loads of instances proving this - and it won't require him losing his data, only because Apple.

[thebraketester]

OlonMusky said:

devnull said:

Don't take it anywhere except Apple. Only Apple have the full suite of correct tools to repair these (like it or not).

I'm sorry but what a load of misleading BS. Apple never do component level repairs, which is what would be needed here, and that is why he was told that they cannot guarantee data recovery (as they will give him a replacement, which will also most likely be a refurb).

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts. It can be a very simple fix - there's loads of instances proving this - and it won't require him losing his data, only because Apple.

Correct. But you do have to be very very careful who you let do the repairs

Google Louis Rossmann. Component level board repairer in NYC.

[Bikerjon]

OlonMusky said:

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts.

Sadly this isn't true with the latest models that have the T2 chip. To have any chance at all requires a special rig which makes it well beyond the reach of an independent. If you know different then by all means tell us!

[OlonMusky]

Bikerjon said:

OlonMusky said:

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts.

Sadly this isn't true with the latest models that have the T2 chip. To have any chance at all requires a special rig which makes it well beyond the reach of an independent. If you know different then by all means tell us!

That sounds a bit too dramatic. If e.g. one of the capacitors blows on a machine that has the T2 chip, replacing a capacitor won't cause any issues with T2 chip. And it's usually this sort of stuff that causes these things to fail. An old school way of dealing with this would be to repair but Apple will want to replace the whole board, which happens to have the drive soldered on it hence you lose the data. Then they send these damaged board/components/units to some low wage place in the world where these things get refurbished for a fraction of a price and end up back in Apple's refurbished products. The quality of these refurbed components is another story.

[devnull]

OlonMusky said:

Bikerjon said:

OlonMusky said:

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts.

Sadly this isn't true with the latest models that have the T2 chip. To have any chance at all requires a special rig which makes it well beyond the reach of an independent. If you know different then by all means tell us!

That sounds a bit too dramatic. If e.g. one of the capacitors blows on a machine that has the T2 chip, replacing a capacitor won't cause any issues with T2 chip. And it's usually this sort of stuff that causes these things to fail. An old school way of dealing with this would be to repair but Apple will want to replace the whole board, which happens to have the drive soldered on it hence you lose the data. Then they send these damaged board/components/units to some low wage place in the world where these things get refurbished for a fraction of a price and end up back in Apple's refurbished products. The quality of these refurbed components is another story.

Which is all very well, but go read the OP - the device is 4 months old. To go anywhere except somewhere which is Apple authorized is silly.

[OlonMusky]

devnull said:

OlonMusky said:

Bikerjon said:

OlonMusky said:

He has much higher chances to get his data back and his device fixed if he goes to a good independent who actually does what Apple don't want to do - i.e. repair not only replace parts.

Sadly this isn't true with the latest models that have the T2 chip. To have any chance at all requires a special rig which makes it well beyond the reach of an independent. If you know different then by all means tell us!

That sounds a bit too dramatic. If e.g. one of the capacitors blows on a machine that has the T2 chip, replacing a capacitor won't cause any issues with T2 chip. And it's usually this sort of stuff that causes these things to fail. An old school way of dealing with this would be to repair but Apple will want to replace the whole board, which happens to have the drive soldered on it hence you lose the data. Then they send these damaged board/components/units to some low wage place in the world where these things get refurbished for a fraction of a price and end up back in Apple's refurbished products. The quality of these refurbed components is another story.

Which is all very well, but go read the OP - the device is 4 months old. To go anywhere except somewhere which is Apple authorized is silly.

Not if he wants to keep his data. As this, if you read the OP, was one of the questions. Apple don't do data recovery.

[tim0409]

OlonMusky said:

Not if he wants to keep his data. As this, if you read the OP, was one of the questions. Apple don't do data recovery.

They do in certain circumstances, as per the link in my previous post, which specifically relates to the T2 chip -

"Apple has recently documented a new data recovery process internally for Macs that utilize its T2 chip introduced with the iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro. The new process for repair staff is being introduced due to the T2 chip’s advanced security features including hardware encryption for SSD storage that isn’t compatible with Apple’s previous data recovery methods used on older machines.

Apple notes that the process for data transfer for Macs with the T2 chip will be used when its repair staff are presented with a customer’s machine in need of a logic board repair and when the logic board is “partially functional.” The process also requires that the system can be powered on."

[OlonMusky]

tim0409 said:

OlonMusky said:

Not if he wants to keep his data. As this, if you read the OP, was one of the questions. Apple don't do data recovery.

They do in certain circumstances, as per the link in my previous post, which specifically relates to the T2 chip -

"Apple has recently documented a new data recovery process internally for Macs that utilize its T2 chip introduced with the iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro. The new process for repair staff is being introduced due to the T2 chip’s advanced security features including hardware encryption for SSD storage that isn’t compatible with Apple’s previous data recovery methods used on older machines.

Apple notes that the process for data transfer for Macs with the T2 chip will be used when its repair staff are presented with a customer’s machine in need of a logic board repair and when the logic board is “partially functional.” The process also requires that the system can be powered on."

That's good news, hopefully OP can update us on how he got on.