i've had a laptop for a few years, dropped it a few times, finally most parts decided to fail (network card/pcmcia slot/usbslot/floppy/cdrom drive/battery doesn't work anymore). my friend decided to tear it open to have a side project, but i still need the files on the hard drive, how can i get the files from my hard drive if it won't turn on, where can i go, or what kind of device should i buy?
2006-08-10 08:02:38 · 7 answers · asked by creditcardrabbit 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Assuming the hard drive has a miniIDE connector, they make cases that you can put the hard drive into and then plug it into a USB port on your computer and access it as an additional drive on the computer. Then just drop and drag the data off it. Do a search for "USB 2.5 inch hard drive enclosures" and you should be able to find them for sale.
2006-08-10 08:10:15 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The easiest option is to probably buy a USB to IDE (2.5") adapter. This way you'll just use this with the hard drive and plug the USB end into a new laptop or a desktop or whatever. You'll then be able to access it like any other hard drive.
I'd be a little aware though as if dropping the laptop so many times caused some non-moving parts to die, I'd have to wonder how the hard drive with it's movable parts is fairing.
2006-08-10 14:59:02 · answer #2 · answered by youcefsanders 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove the hard disk and connect it to a working PC with a laptop drive to IDE adapter.
If the drive is still working you will be able to copy the files onto the PC.
2006-08-10 08:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you Buy a new laptop, you can transfer the HDs and copy the necessary files to a flash drive or a CD/DVD.
To transfer drives, I would check out an awesome vid from CNET's Learning campus
2006-08-10 08:11:07 · answer #4 · answered by James A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With an adapter you can connect a laptop harddrive into a desktop computer. Then you can read the entire harddrive, if it still works.
2006-08-10 08:08:21 · answer #5 · answered by rscanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to send it somewhere to get a professional to recover your data. An ad in PCWorld leads to a company called ESS Data Recovery Labs:
www.savemyfiles.com
I think they are your best chance of getting your files saved.
2006-08-10 08:10:44 · answer #6 · answered by sethjt1991 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if your friend has a laptop, get him to connect it to that laptop and dl your stuff that you want to keep... otherwise, you might have to take it to a shop..
2006-08-10 08:08:49 · answer #7 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋