Apple said ERASE my Hard Drive! [ iMac Crashes at Password Log-In | Data Recovery ]

My iMac would get to the Password screen but when I enter the password the mac would freeze. No amount or PRAM or NVRAM resetting would do the trick. A clean OS install didn't work. I removed physical RAM in case that was the issue. Nothing helped. Turns out importing the data onto a new drive solved the problem. Such an easy solution should be on Apple's solution radar. It's such a catastrophic blow to lose a drive. Sorry if you are dealing with the same but maybe this will help you.
Worked out because I installed a larger drive that was Solid State and now the computer is running better than ever.
The backup that failed was a Western Digital MyCloud. Works great, until it doesn't.

[@brianwilson1446]

As a Windows user I've watched some of the Apple problems and it has not made me want to switch. I'm glad you found a workaround to get your data. I rotate a couple external Western Digital backup drives. And I'm also using iDrive to save my data to the cloud everyday. It's a relatively low cost option, especially when they give you the first year for a few dollars. Even though I've had 3 new Seagate Barracuda drives fail on me in the last 2 years, I still haven't had to fully test the iDrive recovery process, but I'm happy to know it's available.

[@batbawls]

Here's a comment for the UA-cam algorithm. Apple should hear about this craziness!

[@edwynstapel3033]

Maybe also get A Nas system for your backup.. They work really well. I don't store any data on the Mac it's all on the Nas. With a couple of harddisks for redundancy

[@apex007]

Thanks, I am sure this will help someone. You helped me years ago (Sep 2015) with your dishwasher pump replacement video. I was unemployed and buying a new dishwasher wasn't an option. Was able to fix it for $40

[@AdamDIY]

That's awesome! Is it still working?

[@apex007]

@@AdamDIY It was 2 years ago when we sold the house.

[@michaelpadovani9566]

Adam, you need to check out Louis Rossmann's channel

[@Warzau]

Apple stinks. So many times their solutions are restore or wipe clean. WTH?! If you have any issues. Call OWC they helped me to fix issues with my iMac.

[@overdbus]

Look at trying “spinrite” to save the old drive .

[@AdamDIY]

Thanks I'll check it out.