My old desktop computer has problems and I can’t access any data on it. I bought a new laptop computer and need to transfer the hard drive data from the old computer to the new computer, but I was hoping to find a better way than paying $150 to get it professionally done. Someone suggested that I buy a hard drive enclosure (lets you convert a hard drive into an external plug-and-play USB 2.0 device), but some reviews mention something about formatting.
1. Do hard drive enclosures require you to reformat your hard drive to use them? (If so, this option definitely won’t work for me, because the data I need will be erased)
2. If the hard drive enclosure is out, can you suggest another way to get the information off my old computer? I can’t turn on the old computer, so pulling the information off normally is out. Thanks.
2007-01-22 11:34:56 · 5 answers · asked by Jessica 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
I would not think so, but let's look.
Here is one at NewEgg.com
AMS VENUS DS-2316B2BK Aluminum 3.5" USB 2.0 Black External Enclosure $39.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145656
I do not see anything about having to REFORMAT an existing hard drive in the Specification or User Comments. This is the whole idea of a USB enclosure.
Good luck and Happy Computing!
2007-01-22 11:47:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a hard drive enclosure doesn't require you to reformat your drive. I've done exactly what you're asking about many times for clients who need to get data off a drive from a computer that won't boot.
2007-01-22 19:39:02 · answer #2 · answered by Fix My PC Mike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Formatting any hard disk will erase all the data on it.
You do not need to format a hard drive for a USB enclosure to recognize it.
You can always place the hard disk in a working machine, to retrieve the data from it.
2007-01-22 20:36:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some drive problems can be easily fixed by yourself using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required
2007-01-25 21:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there is no reason you should need to reformat your drive.
2007-01-22 19:42:19 · answer #5 · answered by thadine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋