c@d.e3 did test Bob asking:
Can someone please suggest software or other methods to extract files from a crashed Macintosh hard drive?
Bob known as Justin Thiesen did make answer saying:
The solution, I'm afraid, is a bit arcane, but I'll try to detail it in as clear and precise manner as possible.
It's not possible to retrieve the information off your hard disk with just the equipment you have at hand. Unfortunately, data retrieval is a tricky business, and requires a gentle hand and some persistence. (not unlike many other endeavours) Solitude is good as well - if you have someone looking over your shoulder, you'll probably never manage to concentrate long enough to get anywhere.
First off, you have to get hold of the official Apple Data Retrieval Terminal (tm). (ADRT) Very few computer stores have one, and those that do are likely to demand that you surrender your machine and $$$$, claiming that you're not skilled enough to manage this on your own. Don't believe them - they're all pigs. Since you seem really worried, I suggest that you call Apple up, and request that they lend you one of the ADRT's - it's probably somewhere in your warranty agreement. If they seem confused by the acronym, you might have to call it an Apple ///, as that is the in house term. Don't believe their protestations - the support people just don't like to hassle with anything that involved. This is obviously covered under warranty, so demand your rights. Note that the Apple /// is Apple Computer's 3rd generation data retrieval machine, and is particularly advanced, so you need to make sure they ship all the appropriate documentation with it.
One thing that you probably don't realise is that your problem is related to the year 2000 time change that OS developers around the world are scrambling to bypass. The appropriate software (Apple will just ship you the basic set, not at all suitable to your problem) must be obtained from Sierra On-line; it's called Time Zone. Along with your exact latitude and longitude, it should allow your to correctly recalibrate your hard drive so that it is synchronised correctly with the new Global Positioning Signals sent out by the orbiting Japanese atomic clock just sent up last year on the shuttle.
Once you acquire the two essentials, it's time to set up.
First you need to connect the ADRT to the hard drive. This requires a SCSI to DB-9 connector. If you can't find one at the computer store, a quick trip to your local Radio Shack, along with a few minutes stripping wires, should get you set up. Now that you've hooked the back of the ADRT to the hard drive, you need to connect to the Internet through your ISP. Do a search on Yahoo for the atomic clock in Greenwich, and once you've connected to that, you should be ready to synchronise your computer simultaneously with both the clock in orbit and the standard on earth. At this point, you're almost ready for Data retrieval. Put the Time Zone disk in the drive, turn the ADRT on (don't worry about an antenna - the case is particularly large in order to accommodate a built in flattened parabolic one. Now follow the on-screen prompts on the ADRT to retrieve your missing data. If your Macintosh acts a little strange, don't worry, it's just reconfiguring the kernel.
(Note: if the ADRT acts funny, it may be a particularly over abused specimen. The fix involves picking it up a few inches and then dropping it to realign the temperamental flux capacitor.)
Due to the arcane nature of the problem traveller did also make answer saying:
There isn't a software means, you have to go for the hardware. First, take the cover off the
Mac. Make sure it's still running. Now, first you have to prepare the system for the violent
extraction of data. For this it needs to be as clean as possible. Get a bucket of bleach and pour
it on the hard drive.
Wait 10 minutes, then go back to the computer and begin the
extraction process. For this part you will need a heavy duty screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to
pry the hard drive cover off. If it's recalcitrant, use a hammer and chisel.
Once you have
the cover off, get the strongest magnet you can find, and place it next to the hard drive. First,
have a stack of floppy disks between the hard drive and the magnet.
Now rap on the hard
drive 3 times and say "Please download, Please Download". Repeat this nonstop for 2 hours. If for
any reason you stop, all data will be lost, so whatever you do, don't let yourself be
interrupted.
This method is not foolproof, but if you do this exactly right, you should be
able to recover most of the data. If you don't, then you allowed yourself to be distracted and
the transfer failed.