My wife was reading blogs on the Internet and the computer just shut down for no reason. Then I smelled something burning. So I unplugged the power cord. After a little while, I tried to turn on the computer, but it won't come on. My wife is going crazy since she had her dissertation stored on the hard drive. Is there any way to retrieve the data without paying a fortune? Help needed!
2007-02-20 17:50:39 · 7 answers · asked by heyldoer@sbcglobal.net 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
As other have said, the first thing to try is to remove and place the hard drive in a second computer and see if it works there.
If it does, then simply replace the burned component in your machine, replace the hard drive and restore your machine. If your motherboard got fried, you will probably have to reprogram your basic settings upon startup. If you're unsure how to do this, bring the whole machine into a computer tech.
If the hard drive isn't readable from a different machine, you may still be able to recover your data and get it transferred to a CD-ROM to reinstall on a new hard drive. There are companies that specialize in data recovery from damaged media. They remove the platen from the hard drive unit and use a special reader to read the raw data and transfer whatever can be saved onto a disc. I've listed a couple below for you just in case - worst case scenario...
2007-02-20 18:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lucky there wasn't a fire, may have lost more than your computer. If you don't know anything about the inner workings of your computer, take it to a qualified repair tech. The files on the HD may be very important, but you don't want to burn your house down either, and it has happened.
Sounds like the power supply went south, which isn't a big deal. And as others have stated, if the HD is ok, your files are still there and retrievable. Doesn't sound like all is lost, even if you have to buy a new computer, you'll have an extra HD.
Make it a great day
2007-02-20 18:41:56 · answer #2 · answered by Hokiefire 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a problem with the computer power supply, or perhaps a short circuit somewhere. I suggest that you take the system to a competent repair shop for diagnosis and repair.
If you prefer, you can simply detach the HDD, then bring it to another computer, change the jumper on that drive to slave, plug it into the IDE or SATA cable, and read the data from the "slave" drive.
But, if you are not computer savvy, all the above is just technospeak; so it would be better to have a relaible repair person look at it.
2007-02-20 17:58:20 · answer #3 · answered by InspectorBudget 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes just take your hard drive out and put it in a freinds computer, nearly all computers will have the option to have 2 hardrives installed, then just copy the files you need over and put it on a cd rom etc
2007-02-20 17:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by toymod 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Install the hardrive on an other computer as a slave (little plastic thing on it) And copy the data you need on the main harddisk of this other computer. You may ask someone who already upgraded/built computer for safety.
2007-02-20 17:55:43 · answer #5 · answered by Narsche 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Check if the motherboard is burnt, the big flat greenish plastic.
If it is, it may not cause much data fault, and just replace the hard disk to a new PC.
2007-02-20 17:54:23 · answer #6 · answered by IIDX Chem 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
in case you opt to shop some thing on it, all you need to do to view or use this is to click on your "my computing gadget" shortcut, and then click on the icon of your new hard rigidity. in case you dont have a shortcut to "my computing gadget" on your laptop, you are able to attain it by potential of clicking on the "start up" button, or by potential of suitable clicking the "start up" button and clicking "come across".
2016-10-16 03:53:57 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋