Tight spot for retrieving personal info.


  1. Posts : 23
    windows 7 ultimate 32bit
       #1

    Tight spot for retrieving personal info.


    So my dad has a laptop (Toshiba satellite p100 pspadc-ma305c) that my brother has setup an account for his business work, solely for 3-4 programs. Everything else is restricted, from right clicking to viewing any type of files, folders, drives etc... All admin access is only known to my brother.
    Being an old laptop maybe it's time has come to an end. The screen of the laptop is half wrecked, there's big and small stripes all across the screen although it's fine if you use an external monitor. The laptop keeps shutting down quite often when using (according to what my dad said since it has to be on the whole day during his work hours).
    It's been days and my brother has ignored to help see to it and fix it and my dad needs it for work, so my dad might plan to buy a new computer and wants to transfer personal data to the new comp. Having absolutely no access (safe mode locked as well), I have no idea how to save the invoice data for keeps if a full re-install of windows would be needed.
    Is there a way to work around this or would bringing the computer to like Best Buy for service would be a good idea?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #2

    Well, there are a couple of options if the hard drive is still functioning properly.

    1) If you just need to pull documents, pics, videos, etc of the drive. You can remove the hard drive and use a SATA to USB adapter to plug into another computer and backup the necessary files. Here is an example of the device I'm referring to: Amazon.com : Vantec CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter Supports 2.5-Inch, 3.5-Inch, 5.25-Inch Hard Disk Drives (Black) : Computer Cables & Interconnects : Electronics

    2) if you need to access to the programs that were being used. Using the same device as above you can create a virtual machine from the hard drive, this will allow you to use the OS as it was before on another computer. This is an easy to follow guide on how to do that (i believe to view the site you have to create a free account): Reviving a dead PC with physical-to-virtual conversion

    Hopefully this helps. I'm sure there are other ways and I'm sure other members will chime in.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 23
    windows 7 ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks! I actually forgot about taking out the hard drive and use as a usb drive. I'm not so knowledgeable in computers unless i search for my personal use. But seeing all the folders as usb hard drive, is it possible to just copy and paste all that to a new laptop? Since if there's a new laptop, I don't know if the programs will work as they've been installed and programmed on the old one. Also being my dad's work laptop there's few backup programs and others that runs constantly i think.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #4

    Yes, hooking the drive up by USB, you would be able to just drag and drop the files to the new laptop when he gets it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #5

    I recommend asking your brother with admin privileges and passwords to assist you in transferring the data you are concerned about to a external source.
    Hacking around a password protected system is not a good thing.
    Just ask for your brothers help.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 23
    windows 7 ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks for the help! I think I've found the record data my dad might need to keep. I'll mark this post solved for now. If anything in the future I need help solving I'll be sure to ask you guys!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 23
    windows 7 ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Layback Bear said:
    I recommend asking your brother with admin privileges and passwords to assist you in transferring the data you are concerned about to a external source.
    Hacking around a password protected system is not a good thing.
    Just ask for your brothers help.
    Due to certain issues, there's been some miscommunications so I'd rather do things myself and help my dad.
      My Computer


 

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