Solved Desktop not working: I need my hard drive back!

[BinkerNate]

I have a problem that's causing great heartache and headaches, and it's my desktop.

As I said here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...-s-dvd-player-destroyed-disc-into-pieces.html

I was playing a PSX game when all of sudden, I heard a loud pop from my hard drive and then it restarted. The tray was stuck, and I couldn't get the game out for a while (I knew it took a little moving of the front just to open it to pop in a disc, but that didn't work). I thought the tray was busted, until I finally got it to open, the disc was in pieces, with more inside. Because the tray was open halfway, with the computer trying to close it, it lead to a blue screen and restart. By leaving the tray fully opened, my computer ran fine.

Under advise from the previous thread; I decided to take the desktop to Geek Squad to get it repaired and upgraded with a Blu-Ray drive. Then a day later, today of this posting, I was calling GS for some updates, and each one was worst than the other:

- The BD drive wasn't working out, as picture was choppy.

- They couldn't get the desktop to turn on right, as it only showed the windows logo and nothing else (not running Windows).

- They failed to get the data out onto an external hard drive.

After that, I took my desktop back and got a refund. Took it home, took the DVD drive out, leaving the hard drive inside, and all it does is...nothing. If I load Windows repair, it loads the files, then nothing but a black screen, until an random picture after 15 minutes and it stops. If Windows normal, it shows the logo, then tries to do whatever for 5-10 mins before rebooting again.

I really need someone's help. While I'm in the process of getting a new computer, it's not as important as my hard drive. Everything that's mine is in that hard drive; images of loved ones, videos and music of any variety, important notes and documents relating to my medical leave and financial, whatever's there from hard work and alot of time, etc. I need all of that back, because I will never get those again.

I was thinking of putting the DVD drive back, since I had cleaned the disc debris out from it, and seeing if that would work, as when I turned it on before unscrewing the back/side, I could hear my desktop trying to work with the drive,but wouldn't the results be the same?

I need help to get my hard drive and everything inside back. There has to be a way. Please, can anyone help me?

 

[BinkerNate]

Will this work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dDSfee32PU

 

[derekimo]

Have you tried this?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

 

[BinkerNate]

Have you tried this?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

I don't get what he's saying in both the post and vids, but basically, I don't think that'll work because my computer doesn't function. As I said, once you turn it on, it doesn't load Windows. So that's why I'm assuming that I need to do something relating to the hard drive itself, without the use of the desktop. If that post suggests that,then I'm not seeing it.

P.S. Just so everyone knows, I'm using a laptop currently due to the issue.

 

[derekimo]

What that does is boot from an alternate source, you don't need to be able to boot into windows with that.

What you are doing in that tutorial is booting a separate OS on a separate external flash drive.

Once that is done, you navigate to the hard drive with windows on it, while you are in there you gather the files you want and move them to another drive (external) that is accessible.

 

[Slartybart]

I'm concerned that the more you try to boot the more you run the risk of possibly damaging the hard drive or corrupting the data.

If you can wait until you get the new machine, you could then add the drive in as a secondary. The data will be easier to recover that way.

I know that isn't much help in the short term, but it is unclear what GS did to the box. Better to have a running machine to use in recovery. It is possible to recover data from a drive on a non booting machine, but it is a more difficult task.

The other suggestion if you need immediate access to the data is to purchase a HD enclosure and access the HD on another machine.

Bill
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[BinkerNate]

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.

@derekimo: I'm sorry, it's just that I couldn't follow it. To the point that, you saying that it was about booting from another source, I didn't even get that from the topic.

@Slartybart: More reason to get the adapter. I don't want to risk losing what I got completely.

 

[derekimo]

No problem, your choice to get an adapter is probably your best move.

 

[Slartybart]

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.
...
@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)

 

[BinkerNate]

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.
...
@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:
http://www.officemax.com/technology...2RlJTJibWF0Y2hhbGxwYXJ0aWFsJk50dD11c2Irc2F0YQ

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/3-5-ser...044&skuId=5190535&st=enclosure sata&cp=1&lp=2

 

[derekimo]

Either one of those should work for you,

Your hard drive inside your computer will look like this,

When you put it in one of those enclosures it will connect via USB to your other computer.

 

[Slartybart]

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.
...
@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
.

 

[BinkerNate]

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.

 

[Slartybart]

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
.

 

[BinkerNate]

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

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).

 

[Slartybart]

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

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
.

 

[johnebadbak]

2 5" 3 5" IDE SATA HDD Hard Drive Disk Docking Station | eBay

worth a look..has usb input as well as cards

 

[BinkerNate]

But I already bought it and it will arrive tomorrow.

Once I get it and set it up, I may just go from there, but if there's a problem I'll post here

 

[Slartybart]

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.

Bootable CD | Version | Size | Link
Home | 8.1.1 Full | 48.34 MB | Local Download

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
.

 

[BinkerNate]

Thanks for that input.

Keep in mind, the new machine is a separate shipment, coming early next week. If anything, I could do the enclosure and connect it via USB to my laptop just to see if it works and I can access my stuff.