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Getting files off a hard drive of a broken pc

Last answer on Oct 28, 2009 10:12:08 am GMT Cinderella86, on Jun 27, 2009 2:00:30 am BST 
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Hello,

Ok so I have an old Dell laptop with a broken motherboard so it doesn't turn on or anything. The hardrive is functional though because it was new when the computer decide to die. I really want to get my files off of it. How would I go about that the only plug in spots on the outside of the hard drive is a headphone jack and a microphone jack. What can I do without spending butt loads of money? Also I have an even older Gateway laptop with a corrupted hardrive is it possible to get my files off that computer too? My current laptop is a HP. I just have terrible luck with computers.

Thanks.

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1

fea_ture, on Jun 27, 2009 12:41:58 pm BST
  • +1

Hi,

you can connect the hard drive to a desktop computer and then get all the data on it.

   
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2

peter barnes, on Jul 8, 2009 2:54:14 pm BST

Yeaa but how and where do you connect that hard drive to?? thats the bit im having troubke with ykno. do i need some sort of extra connection that accepts the hard drive to the back of the pc??

   
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3

Jimbowman, on Jul 31, 2009 11:53:10 pm BST

Peter,
I'm also trying to solve this. From what I've seen so far, the drive you are switching over plugs into the main hard disk in your pc (the one that does work). You need to switch the disk you are trying to recover over to slave, by switching a jumper.

The information about how to do this might be on a sticker on your harddrive - if not, you can find it in the manual or on the web site of the manufacturer.

I haven't done this myself yet, so make sure you read up on how to do it before you commit to doing anything.

   
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4

nobo, on Aug 11, 2009 5:40:41 am BST
  • +4

Easiest is to get an ide/sata to usb converter, they are actully quite cheap 12 bucks on ebay or newegg, mabey 30 from a local shop. They have instructions with them, but for the most part they are pretty strait forward, just be careful not to bend the pins while connecting them up. Once you are all plugged in, your computer will see your hardrive you just hooked up as another hard drive. Copy files where you want them. If you run into any problems, google "taking ownership of a folder." You probably won't have to, just a little help for you up front if you run into problems.

   
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5

trdummy, on Oct 23, 2009 10:53:03 pm BST

Well... I somehow manage to have a drink on the table next the laptop that leaked. The motherboard fried and no longer turns on just like the first post on here. The problem I'm running into is that after putting the drive in an external closure and plugging it up, the hard drive will not initialize or format on device manager. The error that comes up is cyclic redundency check. Any ideas? Thanks in advance... - TRdummy

   
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6

 Hollanda, on Oct 28, 2009 10:12:08 am GMT

Multiple options. If the drive has an IDE connection, it might just be a jumper problem. If it is a SATA drive, then most likely your hard drive was fried along with your motherboard. You can try plugging it in directly to the motherboard of a working computer and try some different computers, but judging by what you are telling us, I fear the worst

   
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