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#11
It is your choice, but there is little risk of damaging the files you are worried about by removing the disk so long as you make sure you ground yourself and are not carrying a static charge. Same applies to the RAM stick removal.
Booting from a USB is well documented, but involves using another machine to create a bootable USB which you simply plug into your faulty computer before powering up. Basically you need to download a Win7 ISO File form a reputable website (free) and then download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and use it to create a Bootable USB Drive. To be certain it finds the USB you should change the boot order in BIOS and make USB the first boot option - that will stop it trying the HDD first and crashing.
If you happen to already have an installation CD the same thing applies, but set the CD Drive as first boot choice BIOS instead.
Pete
Could you give me a tutorial for the bootable USB in video? Quite hard in text. And where i am supposed to get the ISO if it isn't on offical site. And are you sure it won't mess with the original operation system? Anything else i could try? Since i don't know what the error is even at the boot up. Like 0 info about it.
Hi,
Forgive me, but it looks as if you might be somewhat out of your depth and I have to say that your safest option really is to remove the hard disk and copy the files you are worried about directly off the disk as it is using another PC or Laptop. A USB to Sata III Adapter is the easiest way to do that. I use a StarTech cable, (about £10), but there are cheaper ones readily available.
You are then safe to reinstall the disk, and try recovery or a clean installation if necessary and copy the files back once you have a functional operating system.
Many of the tutorials use different software/methods to create the bootable USB, but for Windows 7, I prefer the 'Microsoft Windows7 USB/DVD Download Tool' which is straightforward and still available from the Microsoft website. There are videos on how to use it as well as how to download a Windows 7 ISO File from trustworthy sources in 2024.
Pete
Hi, Best to remove the drive before buying an adapter. USB to 3.5" adapters are available, but the USB port can only power a 2.5" HDD, so if yours is 3.5" just make sure the adapter you buy comes with an auxilliary power supply (with a UK plug assuming you are in uk) In general older Desktops have 3.5" and Laptops 2.5", can't see the from your video what you have, but you could also get a good idea from searching the Specificatiion for your make & model online.
Pete