mffox Loc: Avon, CT

Last month I experienced a major crash on my Mac; fortunately all of my photos were on external backups, but the rest of my files were unreachable. The Geek Squad was able to create a recovery drive which I was able to use in putting things back together, but still discovering gaps of missing, erroneous or outdated files. I'm not sure I can trust the system; it's 5 years old and running on Big Sur platform.

I need some guidance. Does the Geek Squad have the expertise to take the Mac as is and give it an overhaul to get me back to normal? or, if I have to replace it, would a transition over to a new Windows device make more sense?

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

* Preface * Not a Mac guy...but it's easier at this point to perform a clean install of the operating system and load the programs you need. System recoveries, in my experience, are only good for recovering any data you might have on that drive before wiping it and starting from scratch.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Why only back up photos?

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I would take your iMac to Apple. Make a Genius Bar appointment and bring it in. Those people know the system the best. The Geek Squad does a passable job, but they may not have the same expertise as the Apple folks.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Excellent advice in my opinion.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I was wondering why the OP would pay the Geek Squad before trying Apple's excellent support.

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

As someone else suggested make a Genius Bar appointment for the most knowledgeable help.
At least do the clean install. In either case backup your FULL system. Apple has Time Machine and there are others. I use Carbon Copy Cloner. It does full backups and can create a bootable copy. I had an OS failure and was able to boot from the copy then restore my system with minimum down time.

Bill

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Agree completely. Apple service department knows the hardware and software inside and out, and are honest in what they will say needs to be replaced once your device has been checked out.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I just want to add my support to this view. There are very few people who have nothing else of value on their computers. Back it all up and use both local (TimeMachine) and cloud backup. IMO, there is no reasonable alternative.

It's not practical or sometimes even possible to back up the apps but all your own stuff, even app settings, can and should be backed up. And, yes, it is possible to "image" a disk for backup but that's another level of effort and, often, expertise. For Macs TimeMachine is the right answer and two alternating target volumes is better.

You have a fire extinguisher, perhaps more than one, in your house and/or garage, right? Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms, too, right? Would you want them to protect only part of your house?

"C'mon, guys..."

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Unless Time Machine images the portions that were corrupt. It may have been and issue that started months before the device failed, and that right there is the bane of technology. I'm not saying Time Machine is not the correct choice, but there are always exceptions and sometimes it's just nice starting with a shiny new OS install

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

I'm not sure I can trust the system; it's 5 years old and running on Big Sur platform.

I need some guidance. Does the Geek Squad have the expertise to take the Mac as is and give it an overhaul to get me back to normal? or, if I have to replace it, would a transition over to a new Windows device make more sense?[/quote]

I have two late 2015 iMacs, one of which suffered a hard drive failure that may be like your system suffered. The one that failed had a 2TB fusion drive which has been a nightmare since new and Apple fixed it twice in the warranty period (AppleCare extended). But alas last summer it died again. I wanted it converted to an SSD system instead of the fusion drive, Apple would not do it.

I went to a local shop that advertised they will do the switch. I had a 1 TB ssd put in and asked them to put the Catalina OS on it. I have all my files on a NAS so did not need a recovery done from the hard drive as it was just programs and junk files. Dropped it off on a Friday and picked it up following Monday. Cost $600 Canadian which is what about $450 US today.

I am writing this note on that computer now, it works as it should have when new. I have not upgraded to Big Sur as yet. I will wait until all the software companies have their products upgraded to use Big Sur.

As to switching to a Windows computer, only you can decide that, they work and they break as well. I have a Windows 10 unit that I use for quickbooks because quickbooks won't do a Canadian Tax version for the Mac. It works but again would cost more than $600 to have the computer and a monitor. Probably around $1500 for an basic one with a very good monitor and a video card that will drive that monitor.

The iMac will last for a few more years if you have it fixed. We have a 2007 iMac 24 inch that is still going strong just can't run the latest OS. It is still used for surfing the net and running some old genealogy programs.

If yours has a fusion drive I suspect that was the problem. And btw while I am a big Apple fan and have heard all the claims of Apple using better components in their units, the hard drive portion of the fusion drive was a Seagate Barracuda one of the worst drives out there. I use Seagate Iron Wolf drives in my NAS and they have been very reliable.

A new iMac is $3000 so the repair at $600 was very reasonable and the computer runs perfectly.

phildee Loc: Oceanside, NY

Micro center stores are an Apple endorsed alternative too.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

The Geek Squad — hell No! Find an apple certified dealer/repair depot.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I have a 5TB (self powered from B&H)on my Mac that will constantly back up man hard drive. Had a problem and just went back to last backup and reloaded.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

I agree

Murray