Computer help

[PeterOz]

Try this
Stick your current ubuntu usb into the usb port on the mac - you will also need another usb to copy files to.
hold down the option key and power on
you should get 2 drives showing.
use tab button to pick the usb - should be labelled as efi with a usb logo
press return key
it will then start to load.
It might stop - just wait a couple of mins and see if it loads

Now it might be a problem to access the mac drive.
Click on the Ubuntu home icon
click on other locations
can you access the drive. - If not what is the error - take a pic
You will need another drive to copy your data to.
DO NOT copy to the ubuntu drive.

I booted off a ubuntu that I use on pc’s and it booted my mac

[PeterOz]

if your file system is APFS Linux will not read it.
This could be the easy way
Under some circumstances, you may need to re-install macOS. You can re-install macOS while keeping your files and user settings intact.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/mac-help/mchl338cf9a8/mac

Scroll down the page to
[HEADING=1]Re-install macOS[/HEADING]

[mx_599]

Try this
Stick your current ubuntu usb into the usb port on the mac - you will also need another usb to copy files to.
hold down the option key and power on
you should get 2 drives showing.
use tab button to pick the usb - should be labelled as efi with a usb logo
press return key
it will then start to load.
It might stop - just wait a couple of mins and see if it loads

Now it might be a problem to access the mac drive.
Click on the Ubuntu home icon
click on other locations
can you access the drive. - If not what is the error - take a pic
You will need another drive to copy your data to.
DO NOT copy to the ubuntu drive.

I booted off a ubuntu that I use on pc’s and it booted my mac

Okay, I was going to say my recent Ubuntu thing was going from a windows but it looks like you said at the end you were able to do this
I will investigate this

I have a bunch of 16g usb drives by the way. but anyway let me try this Ubuntu

[mx_599]

if your file system is APFS Linux will not read it.
This could be the easy way
Under some circumstances, you may need to re-install macOS. You can re-install macOS while keeping your files and user settings intact.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/mac-help/mchl338cf9a8/mac

Scroll down the page to
[HEADING=1]Re-install macOS[/HEADING]

APFS? you mean on my bootable Ubuntu? You mean before I do the above stuff I need to see if there are APFS files first?

[PeterOz]

Apfs is a mac file system that came in with High Sierra.
Because your mac is 2011 the file system should be the older os extended/HFS
We will not know for sure until you boot with linux and then try to access the mac drive.

I would try the linux method first.

Yes I used the ubuntu that I use on windows computers.

[mx_599]

Apfs is a mac file system that came in with High Sierra.
Because your mac is 2011 the file system should be the older os extended/HFS
We will not know for sure until you boot with linux and then try to access the mac drive.

I would try the linux method first.

Yes I used the ubuntu that I use on windows computers.

Okay. 2 quick questions:

1. Honestly, not sure how much file space I need to get my files. I think we’ll under 100gig but who knows, maybe 500. Is this a one shot deal where I need to be prepared to get all my old files? Or can I basically do the Ubuntu boot and see how much data and then if needs be I can shut things down and get the size I need and come back another day?
2. A few months ago I made 2 Ubuntu jump drives and not sure why. I must have been unsure if I did it correct. I have no idea which one I used to load this new computer. They look identical EXCEPT one opens up this “2nd drive” that comes and goes with the USB drive. See photo. Which of these 2 Ubuntu USB should I use? The normal one or the one that opens up the 2nd imaginary drive?

[PeterOz]

Or can I basically do the Ubuntu boot and see how much data and then if needs be I can shut things down and get the size I need and come back another day?

Yes
Or you can network to another computer and copy files across.
Ubuntu should not be a 1 shot method.

If both sticks boot, then either one should be fine.

[mx_599]

Yes
Or you can network to another computer and copy files across.
Ubuntu should not be a 1 shot method.

If both sticks boot, then either one should be fine.

Sorry to drag this out! lol

Hey, I am thinking of getting a 500gig usb jump drive on amazon before I do this because I think that is plenty storage for all my devices and on this Mac you are helping me with. I am not the type that needs terabytes I do not think

Anyway, is it okay to use 500gig jump drive as a back up device or is this frowned upon? should I be getting a solid state external drive? or older style external hard drive?

[PeterOz]

My personal opinion would be an SSD external drive.
If the price is within your budget I would be looking at a 1TB drive.
I would also be looking for a brand name.
E.G Seagate, WD, Crucial etc.

[mx_599]

My personal opinion would be an SSD external drive.
If the price is within your budget I would be looking at a 1TB drive.
I would also be looking for a brand name.
E.G Seagate, WD, Crucial etc.

Okay let me look at these online. Maybe some are at amazon
standby…

[PeterOz]

Could you read the mac drive with Linux?

[mx_599]

Could you read the mac drive with Linux?

I didn’t try yet, I am afraid.

I sort of want to get that SSD first so I can get files all at once when I try.

Don’t quit the forum yet! :LOL:

[Bruce]

@mx_599 - any progress?

[Bruce]

@mx_599 - threads are closed if there has been no activity for a few days.

Have you gotten that SSD yet?

[PeterOz]

Looks like he has given up which is a shame.