My In-Laws' computer crashed, its gonna be WAY too much to have it fixed...So, I need to know if it is possible to pull the hard drive from the old one (It was a custo built 'puter), and possibly, some way plug it into the usb, or some other port, in order to put pics (that they don't have ANYWHERE else) onto their new computer(will NOT be custom built...I think they're gonna pick up a cheapo at Wal-Mart)
2006-10-20 03:25:04 · 9 answers · asked by diabl0blanc0 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
If it has crashed, then the hard drive is probably bad and can't be used
2006-10-20 03:32:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have 2 options niether one is that difficult.
1st you can get an external hard drive enclosure. take the old hard drive out of the computer and put it in the enclosure. now not only did you save all the data but they will have a portable hard drive. it takes about 5 or 10 mins total to put the case and drive together. very easy.
2nd you can add the old hard drive to the new computer as a slave. this is also easy you just have to make sure you set the jumpers right. on the old one set the jumper to slave.
how to set a jumper: if you look at the hard drive with the connectors facing you. you will see one set of pins that is much smaller than the other ones and there will be a little plastic piece that covers 2 pins at a time. that is the jumper. now look at the sticker on your hard drive there will be a diagram of how the jumper should be for different settings. look for the slave option.
once thats done open the new pc. it may be set up one of two ways. the hard drive and the cd rom may be on the same ide cable or may not be. if they are on the same cable you will need the ide cable from the old computer.
1st if they are on the same ide cable:(you will need to set the jumper to master in this case) grab the other ide cable. now look on the mother board for where the ide cable attached to the new hard drive is connected. there should be another connector on the motherboard right next to that one. plug the ide cable in there. make sure the red stripe of the ide cable you are connecting is lined up the same way as the new one. next put the hard drive in the slot under the new one or over wherever there is room and screw it in. now connect the ide cable to the hard drive. you will also need to connect a power connector to the hard drive. it will be labeled p some # like p5. if your not sure which one is right look at the other hard drive. it doesnt matter which one you grab there might be a couple loose ones. now close the pc and turn it on. when you log in go into my computer there should be another drive listed now. basically what this does is give them a second hard drive in the computer you can either keep it in there or grab all the data you want off it. place it in the new one then remove the hard drive. its up to you.
2nd (you will need the jumper to be on slave for this option) if they are on seperate cables put the old hard drive in where ever it fits and screw it down. now take either one of the ide calbes which should have a second connector on it and put that into the old hard drive you just connected. you will also need to hook up one of the power cables. labeled p some #. once everytihng is attached close the computer and turn it on. the hard drive will show up in my computer as another drive.
good luck if you need help with any of this feel free to contact me.
these last 2 options are not as hard as they sound.
2006-10-20 10:51:11 · answer #2 · answered by ian6868 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if the drive is damaged, the information can be recovered by companies that do that, but it would likely be expensive. From what I understand they can physically clean the old platters and put those platters into another drive for recovery. Obviously not a cheap process.
2006-10-20 10:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, but it involves taking the new one apart...you have to first disconnect the old hard drive from the old computer. put it into the new computer, make sure you set the jumper setting on the old hard drive to slave. or you can just bring it to a tech. that would be the easiest way. ian6868 has the best answer
2006-10-20 11:00:20 · answer #4 · answered by jester9236 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, go to www.stupidcheapcomputers.net. They have a brand new HP system with a full warranty listed for like $400.
2006-10-20 10:49:21 · answer #5 · answered by MegaNerd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would have to pull the hard drive and reconnect it onto the new computer's motherboard. you could then pull data from it as long as the drive isn't damaged.
2006-10-20 10:30:10 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tell them to go to Circuit City, Office Depot, Staples, or order a Dell. You get what you pay for.
I don't know what "crashed" means. Was it within warranty? Did it just need a reinstall? what happened to make it crash?
2006-10-20 10:34:40 · answer #7 · answered by sophieb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be easier to Slave the old Harddrive in the New PC and transfer stuff that way.
http://www.cyberwalker.com/columns/apr98/041698.html
2006-10-20 10:29:49 · answer #8 · answered by ○Freeman○ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, but you would need a USB with lots of memory place inside, which will be expensive.
2006-10-20 10:33:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋