I have several external hard drives, most encrypted with FileVault. Some with a 3rd party software called 'Espionage' (FileVault is better).
My MacBook Pro's internal hard drive suddenly started clicking and I can never start it up now. Hardware problem. Always starts clicking when I tried to start my MacBook.
I replaced it with an SSD. However, the old keychain encryption is lost. I still have the passwords but they are useless without the keychain encryption password generated by the computer that is stored in the damaged internal HD.
So am I in ruins with all my data from my internal HD gone and all my external hard drives?
Best Answer
Chances are fairly good that your data is still intact on your old internal drive. It depends on exactly what part failed.
Send your old drive to a data recovery company. Drivesavers is one, there are others. They will do things like replace the controller card, or remove the platters and put them in a working drive.
Expect a bill somewhere between US$1000 and $2000.
For comparison purposes, an external backup drive costs about $150, and restoring a Time Machine backup takes an hour.