There’s never a good time for a computer to crash, especially when critical data is at stake. Recently, we encountered a 27” iMac with a failed Fusion drive, which required an extensive data recovery process. Here’s a look at the steps we took and the tools we used to bring this iMac back to life. The iMac was set up in Target Disk Mode with the help of a high-quality Thunderbolt 2 cable. This setup allowed us to access the iMac’s hard drive from another MacBook, making it possible to run specialized recovery software to dig into the Fusion drive and retrieve lost files. What’s Involved in a Fusion Drive Recovery? Fusion drives combine a solid-state drive (SSD) and a traditional hard drive (HDD), offering both speed and storage capacity. When they fail, however, they can be more complex to recover than a standard drive. Here’s how we handled it: Connecting in Target Disk Mode: Target Disk Mode allowed us to connect the iMac to another MacBook as an external drive. This feature is critical for bypassing the iMac’s operating system and accessing the drive directly. Using a Reliable Thunderbolt 2 Cable: Quality matters when it comes to cables, especially for data-intensive tasks. We used a Thunderbolt 2 cable to ensure a stable and fast connection, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity during recovery. Running Specialized Recovery Software: We used dedicated software to scan the Fusion drive, which is a time-intensive process. The initial scan alone took around 7-8 hours, as the software carefully inspected every sector of the drive. Preparing for Extended Recovery Time: After the scan, the software needed an additional 3-4 days to recover the critical data. Recovering from a crashed Fusion drive can be a waiting game, but patience is essential to ensure all possible data is retrieved. Final Thoughts Data recovery is never guaranteed, especially when dealing with damaged Fusion drives, but with the right tools and techniques, the odds improve significantly. We’re crossing our fingers that this recovery process yields positive results! If you’re facing a similar issue with an iMac or any other Apple product, remember that early intervention and professional recovery techniques can make all the difference in recovering your valuable data.
