how to get info off somewhat dead computer? help please.

[HBARleatherneck]

Ok, as I reported before my laptop kind of died. it still turn on. but it reboots it self contantly, but the screen never comes on. so once I get a computer that works, can I use a USB cable to hook it up to the new computer and download the data to my new computer? kind of like it being a harddrive? or is there another way? i know if I can do it, I will have to pay someone. That is bad enough, but I live so far away, and never go to town, that makes it worse. Any help? it is an HP pavillion laptop. (actually it is my wifes computer) my one and only computer mostly died years ago.

the computer worked fine untill the other day, I got on this site and opened one of the USMC03's training picture pages. then the screen went all messed up. like the vhold was off on an old tv. that happened after starting it over several times. then the screen stopped all together. so I never had a chance to grab the stuff off.

you dont think Jeff sabatoged my computer, because i said his thread needed more girls? I am not paranoid.

[iamhunter]

depends on what the problem is.

the first step is to get that hard drive into another machine and see if it's still functioning.

If it is, just grab your data off it.

If the hard drive is corrupted, you'll have to look into some data recovery software.

[CrufflerSteve]

I agree. Try connecting the hard drive to another machine and see if you can pull data off. Desk tops often have extra connectors and space.

After my wife fried my laptop with a cup of tea I was able to get data back by attaching it to a spare connector on my desktop.

I don't think a USB would be useful here. See if you can directly drive it on another system. Laptops have been using SATA for sometime now and that is was I used.

Steve

[testify4]

If the laptop isn't booting, I'd remove the hard drive from it and attempt to bring it up on a working computer.

I have a USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA adaptor I use a lot...I have saved the data from many dead computers with it.

It looks something like this. I don't know if Best Buy would have something like it.

http://www.cablestogo.com/product_list.asp?cat_id=1541&gclid=CIma-4Wd6aICFcl25Qod7TEJxw&cm_mmc=AdWords-_-USB%20and%20Firewire-_-usb%20ide2_2905382361-_-usb%20to%20ide%20adapters_Broad_|-|100000000000000154920&cm_guid=1-_-100000000000000154920-_-2905382361

[HBARleatherneck]

that cable seems like it would be perfect. pull out the hard drive. plug it in, plug the usb into the new computer. thanks.

[Hoosier]

I have an adaptor like the one linked there, and used it to rescue data off an old laptop drive.

H.

[HBARleatherneck]

Thanks to everyone for thier help. Jerrymrc is send me a cable to use. I bought a replacement computer from him as well. Mitch thanks for the help. I have a ton of kids (well 5) and I have most of the pictures backed up, but the last month or so since I backed them up onto cd are there. I also had some VA documents on the computer. thanks again

[Byte Stryke]

As I Said in my PM I have the equipment and the software to recover your drive.

As an FYI if anyone else has a like issue, please let me know.
Usually I can do this for nothing. Deleted files take allot longer. Physically Damaged drives I usually have to charge a small fee for. All of course is dependent on the drive type, size load and damage.
Dead PC data pulls are cake, 10-30 Minutes for an average "My Documents" Save.
Porn Collections take longer :D


and I never charge you to look at it.
Usually don't charge at all.

[Seamonkey]

I've got a set up like the one in the link and they work great. Tiger Direct or New Egg have them as well.

Get the drive out of the old laptop, connect the cables and make sure the physical hard drive is setting where it won't be disturbed while you transfer files. Then power on your old hard drive. On the model in the link you have the separate power on/off switch, some don't have that. If you don't have the separate switch then I'd use the connection from the wall to the power adapter instead of using the connection from the power adaptor to the hard drive.
On some models you may have to wait 20-30 seconds for the hard drive to spin up then connect the USB to your new laptop. You may or may not need to wait before connecting the USB but, for the models I've used, it's pretty much the best way to go.

Caution: do not move the external hard drive around when it is power on. The best scenario is nothing happens. The worst is the internal spinning heads hit the internal spinning platters, scratch them and then it's some serious money for a specialist to retrieve the data.

The new laptop "should" see the external/old hard drive and let you access it to retrieve your data.

On a related note, I'd highly recommend buying a backup system to store your data. I'm not sure what you're currently using but a separate external hard drive would be a good idea. Most operating system offer you a means to do periodic backups or you can buy a program that does it also. Next time you're in town look into a 2-drive NAS or even a single drive external at some of the computer stores. Tiger Direct, New Egg and others offer plenty of different solutions you can check out. Heck, even burning a data DVD would be good.

Hope you get your data back

[Colorado Osprey]

Have you tried starting it in SAFE mode?
Hold down the shift key as you turn it on and it comes on in Safe mode. That should allow you to access the drives so you can transfer data from your computer.

[HBARleatherneck]

I have tried everything but, removing the drive itself. Which I will do. The screen never comes on, so its hard to do much. Thanks for the ideas.

And if I can reciprocate someday, my areas of "expertise" are cattle, horses, goats, slaughter, butchering, milking, etc. I know my skills will be in demand for you guys.

[Ranger]

If you were near Denver I would offer to help you out on this, just bring it over and I can get your data if it's still there. Of course if you want to make the trip to Denver the offer is still good.

[Byte Stryke]

out of curiosity.
where is "pawnee"
is that the Pawnee in Walsenburg?

[HBARleatherneck]

ok, you are missing out. if you dont know where the Pawnee grasslands are. I personally dont go out there much, because I have private land to shoot on. But, for all of you who dont, the pawnee is the place to shoot long distance or short distance. for free. Well, your taxes pay for it. The national grasslands are open to all of you. to hunt, camp, shoot. The real popular place sucks. Too many aholes, without ethics. But, that is about a 20 acre place. The pawnee is 193,063 acres. Antelope, deer, turkey, bald and golden eagles, pheasants, quail, and the list is endless. They all call the Pawnee home. So does this Devil Dog. There is room to shoot out to 1760yds if that suits your fancy. Or set up some targets and shoot your pistols. You can camp and hunt rabbits. Lots of places to take your kids. There is the Buttes, lots of beauty.

Specifically, it is east of Fort Collins 25 miles or so. I am not sure exactly since I dont go that way. But, north east of Greeley 30 miles or so.

[cowboykjohnson]

out of curiosity.
where is "Pawnee"
is that the Pawnee in Walsenburg?
I'm not sure where their reservation or tribal lands are...[Tooth]

[Anton]

my areas of "expertise" are cattle, horses, goats, slaughter, butchering, milking, etc.

Growing up in the suburbs sucks. [Rant1]

[gnihcraes]

... somewhere out by the missle silos... (ok not that far north east)