dead computer, need hard drive backed up 4

[violetta]

Can you tell me if it is possible to connect my PC hard drive to my laptop to retrieve the data? If so, how? My computer won't boot up and we've figured it's either the OS or the motherboard because startup disks won't work. Its been suggested to reinstall windows before replacing the motherboard, but I have a few things I'd like to keep on my hard drive.

 

[edfair]

Assumption that it is a PATA drive 34 conductors (with or without grounds). If the guess is correct, then no.
You could mount it in another desktop/tower system.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[mainegeek]

or you might be able to mount it into a usb enclosure and connect it to the usb port on your laptop. But, that all depends on the specs of your laptop and the different file stores between the pc drive and the laptop drive.Also, the cost of the enclosure and the possibility of data loss. I am only mentioning this as a possible means,but would recommend slaving the problem hard drive to another pc as Edfair suggested.Maybe to a pc that has a burner and make a copy of all your important data. Perhaps you can check the drives health as well.

 

[billsandi]

I just had this problem, and my secondary internal hard drive had prevented boot of Windows. The problem surfaced when I tried to install Norton SystemWorks 2006.

All I had to do was take the drive out, and initialize with only the primary HDD. Ran like a champ.

Don't know a whole lot of other details yet; computer is in shop. (Actually "I" or "me" above is the shop.) Thought this info could possibly avoid some headaches for you, so I rushed it out.

-Bill

 

[rvnguy]

I would try to boot from the CD/DVD with the OS CD. This should indicate if the system is dead or that the HD OS is at fault.

You can also try a repair install that will leave all programs & files intact if the above works. See the link for how

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Hope this Helps You

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all