Desktop not working: I need my hard drive back!

BinkerNate said:

Slartybart said:

BinkerNate said:

I'm looking at USB Sata adapters to connect the hard drive for access, then later, moving it into the new computer. That seems to be the better choice, though I wish I could buy 'em at a store than online.
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@Slartybart: More reason to get the adapter. I don't want to risk losing what I got completely.

OfficeMax has basic enclosures for a reasonable price (in my area anyway)

I'll check them out.

But, an enclosure? Isn't that what my hard drive is "housed" inside my desktop? It's basically what I'm looking for with the USB SATA, right? Could you tell me which ones are right for me? I can't really tell.

Keep in mind what I need: access from old hard drive with current/temp. computer or laptop

UPDATE: I found one from Officemax and one from Best Buy that are Enclosures. Tell me if these are right:
SIIG Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Enclosure for 3.5" SATA 3Gb/s Hard Disks

Dynex 3.5" Serial ATA Hard Drive Enclosure DX-HD303513 - Best Buy

As Derek stated, either will do. I would emphasize that you'll save some money with an online supplier such as Newegg or TigerDirect. I've never had an issue with ship times (usually less than a week).

I suggested this because it is easier to troubleshoot / recover a hard drive when it isn't the boot device. There are two ways to proceed once you have the enclosure.
1) boot existing machine with a utility disk such as Partition Wizard, Recuva, or a Win7 Repair Disc
run utility against the HD with the issue - first backing up/recovering your data (another storage device is suggested - , then diagnosing the drive, and then attempting to repair the drive

this requires that you create the bootable utility disc on a working machine with the same bit depth (32 or 64 bit)

2) The preferred method is to connect the HD to a working machine. I think this is what you meant by
Keep in mind what I need: access from old hard drive with current/temp. computer or laptop

This gives you access to the Internet for downloads, communication on the forum, and familiarity. It might even give you a place to store a backup of your data (that depends on the available space and the amount of data to backup).

Anyway, you're on the right path if you go the enclosure route.

The enclosures at the big box stores are about half the cost of a small HD - you could buy a new HD, remove the problem drive from the machine (don't add it as a 2nd drive), then install Windows on that drive. Once you have Windows on the new drive, you can connect the problem drive as a secondary.

One housekeeping configuration change and then you can easily determine the state of the old drive.

Let me ask this - do you have another PC or one you can use to troubleshoot the drive?

Bill
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[QUOTE=Slartybart;2778613]

BinkerNate said:

Slartybart said:

OfficeMax has basic enclosures for a reasonable price (in my area anyway)

Let me ask this - do you have another PC or one you can use to troubleshoot the drive?

There are 2 laptops, and one computer left in my house. Are you referring to those?

BTW, the plan is to get the new desktop with upgrades that the old one needed, with the enclosure at the same time. Once I get them, I'll have the new one while putting the old files in that, so it can back to normal and better.

UPDATE: Just ordered my new desktop and the enclosure.

I was trying to determine how difficult or easy this was going to be. Your information tells me it will not be that difficult, given that you have a few machines and will be getting a new one soon.

What OS will be on the new DT? Just curious...

Hold off on trying to recover the data until a member can help.

It will be a simple matter to determine the state of the "old" hard drive and data. Depending on what you discover in the investigate stage, one or more utilities will tell you if the data can be recovered.

Excellent plan, when all arrives and you have the new DT up and running - post again.

Thanks,

Bill
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BinkerNate said:

Slartybart said:

What OS will be on the new DT? Just curious...

Windows 8

This is it:
iBUYPOWER Desktop Intel Core i5 8GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive GAMER EXTREME BB750D3 - Best Buy

Slartybart said:

Hold off on trying to recover the data until a member can help.

It will be a simple matter to determine the state of the "old" hard drive and data. Depending on what you discover in the investigate stage, one or more utilities will tell you if the data can be recovered.

I would assume it would easy. Even the video I saw with the enclosure I bought, it's a matter of connecting the HD inside and plugging both ends for power and access (aka the USB).

Thanks for the update.

Placing the drive in the enclosure is a simple matter.

You won't know the condition of the drive or the data until a few investigation procedures on the drive are executed. Sorry if I confused you on that.

Data recovery can be a simple matter or it can be more complicated. The less the data on the drive is accessed the better chance of recovery. To put it simply, put the drive in the enclosure and then we'll go step by step.

Bill
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Ok, do all the setup and Windows updates first

Put the old drive in the enclosure and connect it to the new machine

Post a screenshot of disk management.

If you can see your data, go ahead and copy it to a new folder on the new machine for backup purposes.

If you cannot see you data
Download Partition Wizard (PW)
I'm suggesting the bootable version so you'll have something to boot if you need it in the future, plus it gets Windows out of the way - same software though, just in an ISO file.

Free Download Bootable CD Now!
Free download Partition Manager Software
Scroll down on the page until you see the Bootable CD table for home use.
No code has to be inserted here.
more information: PW Bootable CD

You'll have to burn the ISO to a CD using any burning application.

I won't know what PW options to use until you're all set up and I get a look at what Disk management sees. Then I'll ask you to show me what PW sees.

Bill
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