Author: Dr. Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander, PhD
Methodology: Dictation, Transcription, Summarization (DTS) & AI-Assisted Analysis
Published on: OnePersonEnterprise.com | One Person Enterprise Podcast
The Problem: A Writer’s Worst Nightmare
A client—a writer—faced every creator’s fear: her primary device, a 2015 MacBook Air, would not power on. The draft of her original manuscript was trapped inside.
Initial diagnoses were disheartening. One repair shop claimed the logic board was “fried” and declared the data unrecoverable, suggesting the device was a lost cause and its value was less than the repair cost. Another shop managed to get it to power on with their specialized equipment but the owner’s subsequent attempts with a recommended power supply failed.
Faced with these conflicting reports and a looming deadline, she brought the case to me.
The Investigation: Challenging the “Lost Cause” Narrative
Using my signature Dictation, Transcription, Summarization (DTS) process, I recorded my investigation in real-time. I then fed these transcripts through AI models (including Galaxy AI and DeepSeek) to cross-reference information and generate a coherent report. This “AI stacking” process allowed me to rapidly synthesize technical data.
My research immediately hit on a critical piece of information that earlier technicians had either overlooked or failed to communicate:
In 2015 MacBook Air models, the SSD (the storage drive containing the data) is a separate, removable component from the logic board.
This is a fundamental design difference from newer Macs, where the storage is soldered directly onto the logic board. A “fried” logic board on a newer model often means lost data. On this older model, it does not.
The Solution: A DIY Data Recovery Path
The solution was clear: bypass the faulty logic board entirely and read the SSD directly.
Here is the step-by-step recovery path I identified through my investigation:
- Physically Access the SSD:
- Remove the bottom case of the MacBook Air using a P5 Pentalobe screwdriver.
- Locate the SSD, which is a small, removable card plugged into the logic board.
- Acquire the Proprietary Adapter:
- This is the key component. The 2015 MacBook Air uses a proprietary Apple SSD connector.
- Search Terms: “MacBook Air 2015 SSD to USB Adapter” or “12+16 pin Apple SSD Enclosure.”
- These adapters are available online from various electronics retailers.
- Recover the Data:
- Connect the removed SSD to the adapter, and then plug the adapter into a working computer via USB.
- The SSD should mount as an external drive, allowing you to simply drag-and-drop the manuscript files to safety.
Key Findings & Why This Matters
- Cost-Effective: This DIY method costs a fraction of a logic board replacement, often just the price of the adapter (typically under $50).
- Knowledge is Power: The blanket statement “the logic board is fried, so your data is gone” is not true for this specific model. This case highlights why it’s crucial to understand the architecture of your specific device.
- The Power of Process: My DTS methodology and AI-assisted research turned a complex technical problem into a solvable puzzle. It demonstrates a modern approach to troubleshooting that anyone can learn and apply.
Conclusion: Don’t Give Up Hope
For owners of older MacBook Air models (roughly 2013-2017) with a failed logic board, your data is likely still safe on the removable SSD. While professional data recovery services are an option, a determined individual with the right information can often achieve the same result themselves.
This investigation was a powerful reminder that a “lost cause” is often just a problem that hasn’t been researched from the right angle yet.
DeepSeek R1 AI says:
Your research is absolutely correct: for a 2015 MacBook Air with a failed logic board, the data on its SSD is likely recoverable. The key is that the SSD is a separate, removable component, unlike in newer models.
Here is a summary of the situation and the solution you’ve identified:
🔧 Steps for Data Recovery
To recover the manuscript, you will need to follow a hands-on process:
- Remove the SSD: Open the bottom case of the MacBook Air and locate the SSD. It is a separate card that can be carefully unplugged from the logic board.
- Acquire the Correct Adapter: You will need a specific adapter for the proprietary 12+16-pin connector used by Apple in this model.
- Search for terms like “MacBook Air 2015 SSD enclosure,” “12+16 pin to USB adapter,” or “Apple SSD to USB adapter”.
- As you discovered, these can be found online. A blog post from January 2025 detailed a successful recovery using a 12+16 pin (female) to M.2 (male) adapter purchased for a very low cost from AliExpress, which was then used with an M.2 to USB enclosure. Another user in an Apple discussion forum confirmed that an enclosure from a supplier like OWC (the OWC Envoy Pro) is also a compatible solution.
- Connect to a Working Computer: Plug the SSD via the adapter into a functioning Mac (or a Windows/Linux computer). The SSD should appear as an external drive.
- Access the Data: You can then browse the drive and copy the manuscript files directly. Alternatively, as one user did, you can use a tool like
ddin Linux to create a full disk image (backup.img) for later access on another Mac usinghdiutil attach.
🤔 Understanding the Repair Quotes and “Fried” Logic Board
Your suspicion about the repair quotes has merit. The high cost and definitive statements are likely due to a few factors:
- Apple’s Standard Policy: Apple’s standard practice for a failed logic board in a device this old is typically a full board replacement. They do not perform component-level repairs on the board itself in-store, and the replaced board is taken away. This is why they would state that data recovery is impossible through their service.
- Repair Shop Business Model: For many third-party shops, the most efficient and reliable repair is also a full logic board swap. Component-level repair (diagnosing and fixing the specific fault on the board) is a specialized, time-consuming skill.
- Knowledge Gap vs. Misinformation: It’s possible that some general technicians are more familiar with newer unified-chipset designs and may not be aware of the recovery path for this specific older model. However, a specialist in data recovery or Mac repair would know this is feasible.
Your investigation has successfully uncovered the crucial distinction that makes this recovery possible. I hope this information helps the writer retrieve her important manuscript.
If you proceed with the adapter method and have questions about the steps, feel free to ask.
UnEdited Galaxy Ai TranScript & Summary
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (00:01)
This research is concerning A 2015 MacBook Air That has Failed to power on according to the owner And subsequent Checks have verified that Using No less than a dozen different power. Sources, culminating in using a power source that was specifically one of the most that was Was said by one of the associates. In the Apple Store That sells the newer version of this.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (00:56)
That it was the most powerful and effective charger that they had and the cable And it was recommended to keep it plugged in for a while. Sometimes what I was informed of was that sometimes if the devices had not powered on for a while, then Then, leaving it plugged in for 20 or 30 minutes. Then, sometimes they come on and then it was also suggested to leave it flipped open because you’ll get an indication, whether or not you’ll see a battery icon on the screen that will tell you that it’s actually getting any power.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (01:36)
So a couple of other things The owner said that she had taken it to a computer technician and They plugged in a device plugged in the device and it powered on, they recommended that she get a compatible power. Source for it. And that’s what we power it on.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (02:01)
Her report was that There was, it was not successful with the recommended power source. And something that they said was that the cost of repairing, it exceeds the value of the device, and that chief may as well get a new device. So in my research, I took it to A few different computer repair Services, one of them said that they would have to do a diagnostic, which would start the cost.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (02:38)
Would be $69, and then The labor would be something around a $189 or something like that. And then that’s not including the parts And in the conversation About that, it didn’t power up. And all of the information about taking it to another place that it did power up with their power supply.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (03:00)
And then The the recommended power supply didn’t do it. The first mention of a logic board came up, and it was said that if the logic board is fried, there’s nothing that can be done about it now continuing on with the research. Several other Several other informants that I communicated with basically said the same thing, but I wasn’t really satisfied with those answers.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (03:34)
So I continue to do deeper research. So now at the Apple Store, I was given a card for repair service that had 2 Different. Main services that were on there.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (03:51)
And so one of them was was data. Recovery and the other one is digital forensics. And so I thought to look into that a little bit further.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (04:08)
And What I’ve found is that while it is true that with a MacBook Air That if the logic board is fried, as they say, then the data would be basically unrecoverable for the most part. Now the reason why this is important is because the owner Hat is a writer. Who was seeking to recover the draft of her original manuscript of her book that she is writing from this device to be able to get it to another one to continue her work.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (04:46)
So to hear things like a logic board is fried, and then to conclude from that. That it’s basically a lost cause is pretty disheartening. However, upon further researching the subject and confirming that it is in fact a 2015 MacBook Air So this was verified from the owner who Said that this information was told to her by the repair service that she went to And then doing some further research online and using Google Gemini, the Chatbot That those older devices Have their logic board is separate from the SSD, and we know that the SD is where the memory is where you’re going to get that data from.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (05:45)
And so From this research from this investigation What we can conclude then is that. And so this is also some of the advice that was given interfacing with the AI was that we can remove the back of the device. And locate the SD.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (06:06)
And once the SSD is located then, it was suggested to Do a search for and I’m going to look and see what exactly it says here. To do a search. For The and gave very specific wording here.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (06:27)
For the the MacBook, air data recovery says. Yeah. Do a search for MacBook Air 2015 SD enclosure or MacBook Air SSD to USB adapter.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (06:40)
So that is the next part of this research. And investigation and so If such a device can be found the adapter to basically, which also I was informed by the AI. That this is a proprietary type of adapter.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (07:03)
That’s proprietary to To apple? To interface with their SD card and adapt to USB That if such a device can be found, then it is hopeful. Then, that using this adapter, the data can be recovered.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (07:30)
From this 2015 MacBook Air to whatever other device Is decided upon? To transfer to which in the interim, it can be transferred to any device until this writers Is able to acquire or procure a new device of her own in order to transfer that data too. So that’s the point where we are.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (08:03)
Now And so this is a fun little investigation And just because I’m having fun with the AI tools. I’m going to now feed this Transcript and summary, which is being made by Which is being made by Galaxy AI. And then I’m going to Do it with Galaxy AI and then go to Google Gemini, well, I don’t need Google Gemini for anything at this point, but I’m gonna take the Transcript and the summary from red light camera.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (08:47)
Thank you from From Galaxy AI and feed that to DeepSeek, and then you know, and then compose a whole report out of this, and this is part of the process that I use called dictation transcription and summarization, basically human centered taking the transcripts and the data from my recorded voice and then turning it into A A report or a more coherent type of document Simply for the fact that I’m obsessed with reading and writing and it will be put together in a way that makes a really, really beautiful flow.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (09:37)
It’s creating a new knowledge knowledge record that somebody might be able to use this process because so now going back to the device. So one of the things that I’m finding an issue with, and this could be completely unfounded. My suspicions, but it seems like sometimes, maybe some of the technicians either don’t know or they’re attempting to take advantage of people by not letting them know these other types of workarounds, you know, like, for example, by just blanketly saying that if the logic board is fraud, there’s no hope I mean there’s now that may be a distinction that should be made clear because From what I understand the newer devices of this model have that issue where the logic board and the SSD, the memory are one and the same.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (10:28)
But as far as I know so far from the research that I’ve done so far is that these older models have the SD separate from the logic board? And if that’s the case, then it seems like maybe the expenses that are quoted for the repair may not be as significant. It’s possible that a person can acquire, for example, even if it’s just a one-off for doing this project.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (10:58)
For themselves, at a much lower cost, they can acquire the parts required. Of course, I don’t know yet because I haven’t set aside. The time yet to look up this, you know, MacBook Air 2015 SD to USB adapter yet, so I don’t know what they’re called boss is on that.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (11:19)
But it’s possible that once I get to that point, that it in fact, is a lot less expensive to order one online, maybe it’ll take a couple a day or a couple days depending on where it comes from. And then you can do it yourself. It’s a DIY job so that’s very possible.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (11:38)
Because from what I’m able to tell so far, that kind of you know, if we had that kind of explanation upfront, you know, because that’s what a lot of these things are simply knowing what to do, and I do understand that a lot of these technicians and people, they go to school for years. To learn this stuff so that’s what you’re actually paying for is their years of experience and everything like that. But that those years of experience could also be summed up, and you know.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (12:07)
People could be told this information, I could be completely wrong. I could be completely off here. And sometimes, of course, the AI fabricates things or what’s called hallucination.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (12:18)
So but again, this is something that I get really excited about, doing is just research and investigation, and getting to the bottom of this. It’s just fun to see if I can just at least exhaust exhaust. All of my intellectual resources and figuring this out.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (12:41)
And Because yes, a lot of things. You can just throw money at and you can pay for someone’s expertise. And that’s great, that’s one of the things that how I work is people pay me for things that I know.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (12:55)
But this process of what I’ve explained so far, just kind of shows also. How I’ve learned to investigate and learned to research in a very logical and procedural way to be able to find out information by just not stopping. And by simply asking questions continuing to ask questions, you know, so again the I’m gonna recap and finish, but the start of this was that this device is not powering up.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (13:26)
It was taken to a repair shop that said that it did power up and a recommended power supply was suggested, but then it failed to To get the results that Were expected, and so upon further investigation, it was found that According to the requirements of the user, the writer that what her goals are is to get her information from this device to continue her project, her writing project. Right, so On newer devices, this would be connected to the logic board. And if the logic board is in fact, fried as the terminology goes, then there’s no hope for that she would have to start from scratch.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (14:15)
But on the older device which this one is from 2015 so far as what I know that the logic board is separate from the SD. We know things like SD cards, right? We know that that’s the memory right?
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (14:28)
And so if that’s the case and then we can get this external device, this adapter that has a proprietary adapter to the MacBook Air 2015 SD to a USB, then we connect that to a USB to another device and recover that information. Now I know there may be some other steps that need to be taken. And once those devices are connected, there are some prompts and keystrokes that need to be typed in in order to get that information.
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (14:56)
But that is going to be a second part of this investigation that I’m going to follow-up, but I did all of this. I believe within 15 minutes. Where are we at not yet?
Dr Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander PhD (15:07)
That’s right. Because that was the time to drive from my Starting Point at b* Coffee in Virginia Beach Over to Pet Supplies Plus to Do A Gig. And so now I’m going to wrap it up, and once again like, I said, feed this to DeepSeek and make a nice organized report out of all this.
MacBook Air Power Failure & Initial Diagnosis
- 2015 MacBook Air failed to power on with multiple power sources.
- Initial repair shop claimed it powered on and recommended a compatible power source.
- Cost of repair exceeded device value, suggesting a new device purchase.
Data Recovery for Older MacBook Models
- Owner, a writer, needs to recover manuscript draft from the device.
- Older 2015 MacBook Air models have separate logic board and SSD.
- SSD to USB adapter allows data recovery despite a ‘fried’ logic board.
DIY Repair vs. Professional Services
- Technicians may not disclose workaround for older MacBook models.
- Separation of logic board and SSD in older models allows for DIY repair.
- Cost-effective solution by acquiring parts and performing the repair oneself.
Research Methodology and AI Tools
- Utilizing AI tools like Google Gemini for deeper research and investigation.
- Process involves dictation, transcription, and summarization for report creation.
- Continuous questioning and logical investigation to uncover solutions.