I recently erased my Mac to start fresh, but now it won’t turn on at all. I’ve tried holding down the power button, but nothing happens. I desperately need help because I have important files that I need to recover. Any suggestions on how to fix this?
So you erased your Mac and now it’s basically a paperweight? Well, that’s a bummer, but what did you expect messing around with the system like that? You might’ve corrupted the startup disk or something.
You could try starting up in Recovery Mode (hold Cmd + R when turning it on) and see if you can reinstall macOS from there. If nothing works and you care about those “important files,” it’s ironic isn’t it, given you erased your Mac in the first place?
As for recovering data, Disk Drill for Mac is one option, but it’s not miracle software. Sure, it’s good for recovering deleted files and it’s user-friendly. But it’s also kind of slow sometimes, and can be pricey if you need all the features. Here’s an article, Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software for Mac (Including FREE), to figure out which recovery software might suit your needs best. Good luck, you’ll need it.
It sounds like you’ve erased your Mac’s startup disk, which is why it won’t turn on. Let’s go through some steps to troubleshoot and potentially recover your files.
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Check Power and Connections: Ensure your Mac is properly connected to power and that the power cable is securely connected. Try using a different power outlet or cable if available.
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Reset NVRAM/PRAM:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
- Hold for about 20 seconds, then release.
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Attempt Safe Mode Boot:
- Restart your Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
If Safe Mode doesn’t work, it’s possible that the system isn’t even getting to the point where it can check for Safe Mode.
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Internet Recovery Mode:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold Command + Option + R until you see the spinning globe or Apple logo.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS.
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Check Disk Utility:
- Boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R on startup).
- Select Disk Utility.
- Check if your internal disk appears and run First Aid.
If your disk appears and can be repaired, try reinstalling macOS again. However, if it doesn’t show up, your disk might have failed, or you could be facing a hardware issue.
Since you need to recover important files:
- Use Data Recovery Software:
- If you have access to another Mac, you can remove your Mac’s internal drive and connect it externally using a SATA/USB adapter or enclosure.
- Alternatively, you can use software like Disk Drill (Download Disk Drill for Mac users here https://www.cleverfiles.com/disk-drill-mac.html) to recover the data if you can boot into an external macOS environment.
For using Disk Drill:
- Download Disk Drill on another Mac.
- Connect your Mac’s drive externally.
- Run Disk Drill and select the external drive for scanning.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to recover your files.
Note: If you’re not comfortable opening up your Mac, it’s best to take it to an Apple Store or a certified repair center. They can extract the data more safely for you.
If the drive is fine but the system won’t boot, reinstalling macOS using Internet Recovery generally works. If there’s significant data loss, data recovery tools like Disk Drill are invaluable for bringing back lost files before you perform any new installations.
Good luck!
Ugh, that’s a super frustrating situation. I’ve been there before. First off, I hate to break it to you, but you might be looking at a bigger issue if it won’t even turn on. Try resetting the SMC or NVRAM, sometimes that helps. As for data recovery, Disk Drill for Mac can be kinda hit or miss, so don’t get your hopes too high. Anyway, if you have an Apple Store nearby, it might be worth hitting them up. They might be able to at least help you get the machine running again. Good luck, bud.
Oh man, been there! If your Mac won’t start at all after you’ve erased it, it could be a few things. First, let’s rule out some basic stuff:
- Check power connections: Ensure the power adapter is plugged in correctly and that the outlet works.
- Force restart: Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart. If it’s a newer MacBook with the Touch Bar, instead hold down the Touch ID button.
If the power steps don’t work, try starting in Recovery Mode. Turn off your Mac, then hold Command (⌘) + R while turning it back on. This should open the macOS Utilities. From here, you might be able to reinstall macOS or use Disk Utility to see if anything is up with your disk.
If you’re worried about your files, you might be in sticky waters since you erased the drive. However, all is not lost. Disk Drill for Mac is a solid option for recovering files from a drive that’s been formatted or erased. It’s worked for me before. Check out this review for more info on it: Independent Disk Drill Review.
But remember, the more you fiddle with the disk, the higher the chance you might overwrite important data, so use the recovery tools carefully!