Need to read NAND Flash Chip - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: sawtooth500
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 09:34:34 am
content: So yes I messed up...I have a Macbook A1534 (12" Early 2015) with the NAND flash memory chip soldered on the main logic board. Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash I believe. Actually it's my wife's, that's why I feel super guilty at this moment.So I was changing the battery in the computer as the old one was dead. I had changed plenty of mac laptop batteries before, so I really thought nothing of it. This one was a pain. Turns out the old battery was glued to the case... in the process of getting it out I managed to puncture it which caused some sparks... I was annoyed but that was it.So then I put the computer back together, and lo and behold it wouldn't boot up. Double checked everything, still wouldn't boot up. Then I thought perhaps when I punctured the battery what it it caused a surge and then burnt out the main logic board? Yeah I messed up...So now this is beyond my skill... but is there anyone here who has the ability to de-solder the NAND chip from the logic board, put it into a reader and read it to get the data back? It's not encrypted and there is no damage to the chip. My wife works from home and no it's not backed up (I know, I know...) and my guilt level is super high right now as this is going to cause her to have to re-do about 2 weeks worth of work.I'm looking for someone located in the U.S. - I can overnight you the logic board. Of course, I am willing to pay via Paypal. If you're willing and able to do this, please let me know!

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 07:13:32 pm
content: ...and this is why I don't buy computers with nonremovable storage...Disconnecting the batterybeforeattempting to remove it would also be a good idea.I second the recommendation for Louis.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 09:32:51 pm
content: I think there is a way to read eMMC NAND Flash content using an SD card interface:https://www.gillware.com/forensics/blog/articles/flash-memory-amnesia-resurecting-data-direct-read-nand-memory/There are NAND chip sockets if you manage to unsolder it from the motherboard:https://www.amazon.com/ALLSOCKET-Programming-Interface-Chip-off-Recovery/dp/B01E3QR70WThere different NAND chip packages and you need to find the correct adapter.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 10:22:16 pm
content: MacBook should be able to boot from external power with battery disconnected but not with a shorted out battery, so maybe try that first? Apple have their in-house SSD controller making data recovery from NAND dumps nigh impossible.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 11:39:17 pm
content: I agree that you should send the motherboard to Louis Rossmann and try to repair it. Removing the NAND Flash chip will make any future repair more difficult and you will need to buy a new macbook.

author: abraxa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2017, 05:41:19 pm
content: Honestly, I'd get a quote from professionals like Kroll OnTrack and see what they say. If indeed it's true that reading the raw data from the NAND won't yield anything because Apply uses a custom SSD controller, you're in trouble. I'd bite the bullet and let someone handle this who has done exactly this kind of data recovery before. As much as I respect Louis for what he does, I'd be surprised if he has actual data recovery experience.

author: abraxa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 08:50:26 am
content: Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but if you intend to say "why not just ask Apple?" then I'd say: sure, that's an option as well. I do however assume that they'll refuse working on this when they see that someone "unauthorized" tried to replace the battery and broke something as a result. I may be wrong, sure, it's just my gut feeling.