MacBook Pro 15 & 17-inch pre-unibody (2006–2008) Data Recovery

Apple MacBook Pro

Need data recovery for your MacBook Pro (2006–2008)? We carry out this work in-house at our London workshop, with a fixed quote before we start.

These MacBook Pros use standard SATA drives with no hardware encryption, so if the logic board or graphics chip has died the data is usually untouched. We remove the drive, image it and hand the files back on a new drive. Physically failing drives go through our physical recovery process.

About this model: The original aluminium MacBook Pro (before the unibody design) covers the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo models from 2006 to 2008. The big known fault is the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics chip used in the 2007–2008 models, which fails and causes no video or a garbled screen.

Signs it needs data recovery

  • Laptop dead from a graphics fault
  • Drive clicking
  • Mac OS X won’t boot
  • Deleted files

How we do it

Your data is on a standard drive, so first we take it out of the Mac and connect it to our recovery equipment through a write-blocker, which means nothing is written to the drive. We make a full image and work only on the copy.

If the drive has physical problems such as clicking or not spinning, it goes through our physical recovery process instead.

Whether it’s family photos, accounts, a thesis or a year of client projects, we list what we’ve recovered so you can check it before it’s copied to your new drive.

At a glance

Years 2006–2008
Processor Intel Core Duo / Core 2 Duo, ATI X1600 or NVIDIA 8600M GT
Storage Standard SATA drive
Memory Socketed, upgradeable
Battery Removable
Power / charging MagSafe 1

Before you bring it in

Stop using the Mac if a drive is clicking or it keeps restarting, as each attempt can make recovery harder. Make a list of the folders that matter most so we can prioritise them, and have your FileVault password ready if you used it.

Which model do you have?

This page covers the MacBook Pro 15 & 17-inch pre-unibody (2006–2008) (MacBookPro1,1 to MacBookPro4,1; A1150, A1151, A1211, A1212, A1226, A1229, A1260, A1261). The A-number is printed in tiny text on the base, near the hinge. You’ll also find the model in Apple menu > About This Mac. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.

Price

Logical data recovery from £150 + VAT; physical recovery from damaged drives from £350 + VAT. All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.

Questions we’re often asked

Will you need my password?

Only if FileVault encryption was switched on. Without it, we can read the drive directly. With it, we need your login password or recovery key.

Is there a warranty?

Yes, our repairs come with a warranty on the work and parts. Ask us for the terms that apply to your repair.

Book a repair

Call 020 7394 2528 or email info@mac-repair.london with a short description of the fault and we’ll come back with a quote.