User level: Level 1 (9 points)My 2010 MacBook Pro video card died, producing only a blue screen. I lost the instructions on how to TRY to transfer data from old to my current 2024 MacBook Pro via a Thunderbolt-USB-C cable. When cable is connected to both, nothing happens. I believe I am missing a step.
Posted on Sep 28, 2026 2:16 PM
User level: Level 10 (162,806 points)Sep 28, 2026 6:27 PM in response to games88
Another option is to remove that Mac's hard disk drive, install it in an inexpensive ($10 - $20 or so) USB enclosure, and use Migration Assistant to transfer its files. If MA does not work, you can probably move them using the Finder in the usual manner.
Apple provided hard disk drive removal instructions for your model MBP here (archived):
If you had used it, Time Machine would have provided an easier alternative: Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support
User level: Level 1 (9 points)Sep 29, 2026 3:06 PM in response to HWTech
the 2010 model is a 15" model. So, before I extracted hard drive (John Galt's good recommendation), I followed your Safe Mode idea, and wow, this action opened the computer to all of my apps! I guess my video card is working after all, no more blue screen. Thank you HW!
User level: Level 10 (87,747 points)Sep 28, 2026 2:28 PM in response to games88
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)Sep 29, 2026 12:53 PM in response to games88
Try booting the 2010 laptop into Safe Mode to see if that makes any difference.
I'm assuming this is a 15" model?
User level: Level 1 (9 points)Sep 28, 2026 4:01 PM in response to BobTheFisherman
Thank you Mr. Fisherman (ha ha), very helpful. However, the Migrant assistant is requesting old Mac have updated OS system before it can transfer. I cannot access old computer-just a blue screen appears. I may be at at the end of the road...
User level: Level 10 (162,806 points)Sep 29, 2026 3:45 PM in response to games88
That specific model (MacBookPro6,2) was notorious for premature GPU failures. Thousands of reports on this site alone. Enough for Apple to issue a rare recall program which has long since expired. It's quite astonishing that one has lasted as long as it has.
The failure mode typically manifests in indications of failure before it fails permanently — exhibiting symptoms exactly as you described, so you dodged a bullet. Take it as an opportunity to create a backup: Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support. Do it now.
User level: Level 10 (148,617 points)Sep 29, 2026 2:38 PM in response to games88
If this is a 15-in model, there is a whole lot of completely different stuff to try.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256366766