mbp 15 hard drive problem

[matttheknife]

My mbp crashed last night and I have used the disk utility from the snow leopard dvd to no avail. After the repair disk feature runs, it ends in saying the drive can't be repaired and that I should try to retrieve my data.

I have read that people have successfully used disk warrior and other similar utilities in these situations. Just wondering what the forum's experiences have been. I back up with carbonite and I also burned some back up cd's a few weeks ago. Should I waste time and $ trying to salvage the HD and the data or shoudl I cut bait and and replace it. I am a bit reluctant to do the latter b/c it means buying a whole new MS office suite (I don't have the source disks). Again, thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Collin Bl]

What happens if u run the extended hardware test after booting off Install disk that came with MBP?

 

[bobtomay]

The likelihood of salvaging apps like Office to a point that they would work in a clean install of the OS are slim to none with any data salvage tool.

 

[matttheknife]

What happens if u run the extended hardware test after booting off Install disk that came with MBP?

I'm a total newbie, so I appreciate everyone's patience. How do I do this? Do I proceed with the installation process after starting up from the DVD?

 

[matttheknife]

update on problem

As an FYI, I brought the machine to the apple store in Nashua NH. They ran 3 drive tests, which took all day. The time was worth it thought because the were able to repair the drive while retaining all of my data! The best part was that they didn't charge me a dime, even though I was out of warranty w/no apple care. When the tech saw the puzzled look on my face, he said to me, "that's why you bought an apple." I can now return the hard drive and office suite I bought (saving over 200 bucks!). Thanks for everyone's input on this...

 

[bobtomay]

The next time you probably will not be so lucky.

You'd better take that cash, invest in an external drive and get in the habit of backing up your data.

 

[matttheknife]

recommendations for external HD?

I hear you on the b/u. Although I back up with an online service, I will definitely be buying an external hd soon. If anyone has any suggestions, they'd be appreciated!

 

[Collin Bl]

If your MBP has the Firewire 800 socket get the Ext HD with 800 interface and then use Superduper for a bootable back up, then you have reasonable protection with minimal time spent on regular Smart Updates. Look here;
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/13803/superduper%21