how can i transfer data from and old pc that doesn't boot?

Question

i have an old pentium II and its system its apparently damaged cause it doesnt boot..what i need to do is rescue the data from the hard drive and save it in my current PC

Answer 1

A few have sort of said my answer, but not sure it is really clear so let me take a go at it. First, can you boot in safe mode? If you can, and you can see you files, you can save them all.

The easist options are to either made your old drive a slave drive in your new system. I would do this if it is the same type of computer..ie desktop to desktop. If it's desktop to laptop it won't work.

The other way is to buy an external usb case where you can pop in your harddrive and your current computer can read from that, as it would any external drive. These are pretty cheap, you just need to make sure you buy the size that matches your hardrive size.

The key is why it isn't booting, and is your data safe? If you have a new PC, it should have a slot for a slave drive. Just look for the thick ribbon that run from the hard drive to the motherboard and there should be an empty plug where you can insert the hard drive. You may need to reboot for it to read it and create a new drive letter.

But if it was me I would start by booting the old computer in safe mode and making sure the drive isn't corrupted. Yell if you need more details. Hope this goes perfectly for you. And a few years ago I saved an entire drive that I was told was gone by tech support by doing this (good thing I've learned some geek lolol). So it CAN be done, and it was really easy too!

Best of luck with it!

Answer 2

Well, since it doesn't boot there are definitely problem areas on the drive- hopefully the problems are confined to the bootable areas.

You can boot from a CD, just to check whether you see files & folders on the drive. Assuming that works, connect it to your new computer as a secondary hard disk, and copy over what you need. Amost all newer computers with SATA drives still have motherboard connectors for old IDE drives, so you should be able to connect it that way, without having to buy an external USB enclosure.

Answer 3

Put the old hard drive in the new PC and plug the SATA data cable into the SATA2 or higher labeled port(the hard drive in the new pc should be hooked up to the number 0 or 1 port on the motherboard). The PC should then boot normally in Vista and you can access the old hard drive from my computer. If XP tries to boot, you need to enter the bios settings. Usually you have to press delete, F1 or F2 right after you turn your pc on. Then find a setting that allows you to put your hard drives in order. The one that is in the number one position will be the one that is booted. You should have no problem dragging and dropping files anywhere you want them on the new drive. To format(erase) the old hard drive, go into my computer and right-click on the old hard drive. Click format and follow the instructions. I'm not sure how it works in Vista but you might have to chose to format in FAT, FAT32 or NTSC. Most operating systems install on NTSC formatted drives nowadays. You should be able to install the other hardware components in the new pc as long as you have the cables and correct connections on the new motherboard. There should be no problem with the DVD burner or floppy, but your motherboard might not have a connection made for the memory card reader.

Answer 4

It may not boot because your hard drive has failed?
If not then you can simply add your hard drive to another PC set as a slave and transfer the data to your workigng PC.
However if your hard drive in your P2 has failed then the more you try to work that hard drive the more your files will be damaged. Sometimes if you freeze the failed hard drive before connecting it to a working pc you can access the hard drive, but this rarely works.
If the files are very imprtant yu can take it into a shop for them to try to recover the files or you could try yourself. I heard if you put the hard drive into a sealed baggy and into your freezer for a few hours then hook it up a working computer to get the data you have a chance of the hard drive working for 10-20 minutes.

Answer 5

if its just the pc itself you can just take out the hardrive and put in in a new computer.. that way you have 2 hard drives.. but if it is the hard drive itself that is the problem then sorry to say you cant

Answer 6

you can take the hdd out and put it in a hdd case then connect it to the usb and copy. or u can put the the hdd inside ur new pc if you have a free hdd slot

Answer 7

You want a bootable diskette that can read the hard disk.