OS X 10.10 crashed; Need to reinstall OS, but need to backup files

[kousha]

My laptop no longer works (it freezes on the boot up screen with a No sign). I took it to the Apple Store and they said that I need to reinstall the operating system.

I wanted to back-up the file, but they said it cannot be done because of the FileVault feature, the data is locked and secured. This is unacceptable that if my OS crashes, I cannot back up my hard drive! I was thinking of at least taking out the HD, and connect to another computer and recover my files before formatting it, but apparently that's not possible.

What are my options?

 

[Apple_Robert]

It isn't Apple's fault (re: You saying it is unacceptable...).

You could try putting the drive in an enclosure and connecting it to another Mac and see if you can access anything files. If that doesn't work, which I don't think it will, if there is a problem with the drive or OS and Finder can't recognize it enough to access, I think your files are going to be lost.

Use this as a hard lesson and do regular backups going forward.

 

[kousha]

It isn't Apple's fault (re: You saying it is unacceptable...).

You could try putting the drive in an enclosure and connecting it to another Mac and see if you can access anything files. If that doesn't work, which I don't think it will, if there is a problem with the drive or OS and Finder can't recognize it enough to access, I think your files are going to be lost.

Use this as a hard lesson and do regular backups going forward.

No, it is Apple's fault. I took it to the Apple Store, and they said that you CANNOT take it out, put it in an enclosure and connect to another computer, because of this new feature they have added in Yosemite that is intended to keep your files secure and encrypted.

So what you are suggesting (which is what I was hoping to do), according to the Apple Store technicians, is not possible. They told me there is nothing that can be done. All you can do, as they claim, is format the HD from Disk Utility in safe mode, and reinstall the OS and lose all your files in the process.

 

[Apple_Robert]

No, it is Apple's fault. I took it to the Apple Store, and they said that you CANNOT take it out, put it in an enclosure and connect to another computer, because of this new feature they have added in Yosemite that is intended to keep your files secure and encrypted.

So what you are suggesting (which is what I was hoping to do), according to the Apple Store technicians, is not possible. They told me there is nothing that can be done. All you can do, as they claim, is format the HD from Disk Utility in safe mode, and reinstall the OS and lose all your files in the process.

The problem is that FileVault 2 relies on the boot volume and recovery partition to function properly. If you were able to remove your drive and connect it to another Mac etc. you could still lose your data just by trying to access it outside of its normal start up parameters. At this point, you don't have much to lose, from what I can see. You need to know what you are doing and have the right tools, in order to do what you are wanting, especially if it is a newer machine. If you move forward, you do so at your own risk.

If I were in your Mac shoes, I would chalk it up to a hard lesson learned, erase the drive in Disk Utility, and reinstall. The chances of you being able to retrieve data are slim to none. You could call around to data recovery services but, that would cost you a lot of money with no guarantee.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

you should be able to boot into recovery mode and decrypt the drive, then you can get your files off the drive.

or Boot your Mac into target disk mode from another mac, connected with a thunderbolt cable.