Solved Help with personal file recovery before clean install.

[sykoCrazy]

Hi guys,

This is my first thread on Seven Forums so bear with me here.
Earlier this morning i booted my PC and was presented with a BSOD when trying to run 3ds Max. Now i get the BSOD right after the "Starting Windows" splash appears. I've tried every solution i was able to find on the forums with no luck. So i've decided to reinstall Windows 7.
I'm getting close to a project deadline and i would lose significant progress if i did a clean install because i didn't manage to backup my last 5 days of work. So my question to you is this: Since it's possible that the BSOD was caused by a virus, can i do a normal install of windows, backup my files and then do a clean install? Is it safe?

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question and thanks for taking your time to read/reply.

 

[richnrockville]

Sykocrazy, welcome to the windows 7 forum.

I suggest you get another hard disk and install y our windows on it, then after it is all installed you can put the old hard disk in and copy the data from it to your new one. After you have scanned it for virus's and trojans.

Other than that, they make a small usb device that will hook up your hard disk via usb to your other machine and allow you to retrieve data from it.

Good Luck.

Rich

 

[sykoCrazy]

Other than that, they make a small usb device that will hook up your hard disk via usb to your other machine and allow you to retrieve data from it.

Rich

Hi richnrockville,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have a Seagate GoFlex external hard drive that has a SATA to USB adapter, can i use that on my OS hard disk to transfer the files over to my laptop?

 

[richnrockville]

Other than that, they make a small usb device that will hook up your hard disk via usb to your other machine and allow you to retrieve data from it.

Rich

Hi richnrockville,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have a Seagate GoFlex external hard drive that has a SATA to USB adapter, can i use that on my OS hard disk to transfer the files over to my laptop?

Most likely not a great idea. I would spring for one of those around $15 gadgets that plugs into the usb port and the other end to your hard disk (after you remove it from your computer. Then the hard disk will show up on your machine as another drive. Copy all the files you wish to save and then y ou should be in business.

Rich

 

[sykoCrazy]

Other than that, they make a small usb device that will hook up your hard disk via usb to your other machine and allow you to retrieve data from it.

Rich

Hi richnrockville,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have a Seagate GoFlex external hard drive that has a SATA to USB adapter, can i use that on my OS hard disk to transfer the files over to my laptop?

Most likely not a great idea. I would spring for one of those around $15 gadgets that plugs into the usb port and the other end to your hard disk (after you remove it from your computer. Then the hard disk will show up on your machine as another drive. Copy all the files you wish to save and then y ou should be in business.

Rich

I just saved $15, my brother had one of those adapters in a box of cables!

Thanks Rich!

 

[gregrocker]

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start
Clean Install Windows 7
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7