Can Someone Help me Out?

[MattMJB0188]

I was wondering if there is someway I can get the files off my laptop's hard drive. My Toshiba laptop broke this past may and hasn't been turned on since. It just died ): I want to know if there is some way I can get the files off of that hard drive. The computer was bought in August of 2007 so the hard drive should be new. Is there some device or cable that I can plug into the hard drive and transfer files on to my desktop. Like something I can pick up at best buy. Thanks

 

[blackroseMD1]

Have you taken the hard drive out of the laptop? I would imagine, although I don't have much experience (none actually) with laptop hard drives, that it would either be a SATA or IDE drive that you could just plug into another computer and transfer the files over.

 

[MattMJB0188]

I bought it in August of 07 so I'd say SATA. I could really do that, plug it into my desktop? The sata connector might fit what about the power connector? It wouldn't fit in a desktop?

 

[LPDad]

You want/need to get this VERY HANDY little Item:

Newegg.com - Rosewill RCW-608 USB2.0 Adapter For IDE/SATA Device (Include Protection case) - Adapters & Gender Changers

Pull your laptop harddrive out (or ANY harddrive for that matter), attach it to the above adapter, then plug directly into the USB of your Desktop (or other laptop) computer.

Provided the drive itself is not completely shot (if it is still functional) then you will be able to transfer the data to another computer or Disk.
Using the above adapter ANY attached harddrive (IDE, SATA, Laptop) will show up as an extra drive on the computer you plug it in to.

Very Handy. I use it to Format/Partition Drives, Use as extra storage, it is VERY useful for getting rid of nasty Virus/Trojans on other computers (where they keep comming back each time your reboot)-- plug the drive into your uninfected computer and Run your Virus/Spyware/trojan elimination hardware...(just be careful not to "click on" or use any of the programs on the infected drive-- just Scan/Clean/unplug).

If the drive is completely SHOT, Finito, Non-Functional, D-E-A-D, No Work, Kaput...then your only option is to send it in to a specialty company that will charge you thousands of dollars to recover the data.

You can get an Idea if the drive is still servicable by going into the BIOS of your computer. If your drive shows up (and gives stats in the bios) then you can probably recover your data.

In any case for $25 you will have a very handy tool.

 

[joel406]

Ther are interfaces you can get to connect your hard drive to a USB port. They should be avalible at your nearest computer shop or CompUSA has them. I have never seen them at BestBuy. Thay are around $30.

 

[MattMJB0188]

You want/need to get this VERY HANDY little Item:

Newegg.com - Rosewill RCW-608 USB2.0 Adapter For IDE/SATA Device (Include Protection case) - Adapters & Gender Changers

Pull your laptop harddrive out (or ANY harddrive for that matter), attach it to the above adapter, then plug directly into the USB of your Desktop (or other laptop) computer.

Provided the drive itself is not completely shot (if it is still functional) then you will be able to transfer the data to another computer or Disk.
Using the above adapter ANY attached harddrive (IDE, SATA, Laptop) will show up as an extra drive on the computer you plug it in to.

Very Handy.

If the drive is completely SHOT, Finito, Non-Functional, D-E-A-D, No Work, Kaput...then your only option is to send it in to a specialty company that will charge you thousands of dollars to recover the data.

You can get an Idea if the drive is still servicable by going into the BIOS of your computer. If your drive shows up (and give stats in the bios) then you can probably recover your data.

In any case for $25 you will have a very handy tool.

That looks like an amazing tool. Here's the thing... the laptop DIED in May. Basically shut off and never again powered back on. Plugged in with adapter no lights no nothing. I was told it was the 'motherboard' so IMO the hard drive should be ok. I physically removed it. Is it possible for the data to still be there, I never plugged it in another computer or anything just removed it. Its been 6 months and its just been sitting there not turned on or anything. But even if it didn't work thats a handy tool.

How's this one?
Laptop Repair Help Accessing notebook hard drive using USB enclosure

 

[LPDad]

ADDNDUM.. And, you being located in California (where NEWEGG is Located) you should have it in 1-2 business days.
(When I ordered mine, they shipped from the CA store, and I had it the next day)

 

[blackroseMD1]

How's this one?
Laptop Repair Help Accessing notebook hard drive using USB enclosure

That should work perfectly actually.

 

[LPDad]

Yep, unless your computer underwent a complete electrical short, it sounds like your harddrive should be good to go. I have LOTS of old drives lying around, some of them 10 years old. They all still work-- the problem is most of them only hold 4 GB to 20 GB-- so they are of limited use today...but they STILL work.

get the aforementioned gadget and you should be good to go.
I ONLY have 6 active computers running in my home (all built by me as a stupid hobby-- one for each of the kids, one for the Wife, one as a spare, and 2 for ME)--and I use this adapter all the time,

 

[MattMJB0188]

ADDNDUM.. And, you being located in California (where NEWEGG is Located) you should have it in 1-2 business days.
(When I ordered mine, they shipped from the CA store, and I had it the next day)

LPDAD, thanks for much for recommending this. This is exactly what I have been looking for and the price is perfect. Do you think the hard drive will be ok after sitting there for 6 months? Oh and YOU HAVE BEEN REPPED

 

[torrentg]

Run Spinrite on the drive if can not copy from it.

 

[torrentg]

Yep, unless your computer underwent a complete electrical short, it sounds like your harddrive should be good to go.

HDD fail all the time w/o previous abuse. It's just how it is. All models no matter how good or not, have failure rates. So can't tell.

 

[MattMJB0188]

Yep, unless your computer underwent a complete electrical short, it sounds like your harddrive should be good to go.

HDD fail all the time w/o previous abuse.

That's what I'm afraid of either way I have nothing too lose as there is just a few files I need off this hard drive. I would have everything to gain with that tool LPDAD recommended.

 

[LPDad]

BTW... the problem with your LAPTOP might ALSO have been a powersupply that blew out (they go out more often then motherboards).
If it IS the powersupply, you should be able to find another fairly cheaply..and think of all the fun you can have replacing it (not too hard).
The motherboard, on the other hand, would be a nightmare to replace for someone not used to repairing laptops.

Just a thougt... Take the powersupply out of your laptop and take it to someone who has a tester (newegg has those also) or take it to a computer store..they can test it in about 10 seconds and tell you if that is the problem or not.
Just a thought.

 

[torrentg]

Run Spinrite now then, if all you want to do is get to files. Should fix.

 

[MattMJB0188]

BTW... the problem with your LAPTOP might ALSO have been a powersupply that blew out (they go out more often then motherboards).
If it IS the powersupply, you should be able to find another fairly cheaply..and think of all the fun you can have replacing it (not too hard).
The motherboard, on the other hand, would be a nightmare to replace for someone not used to repairing laptops.

Just a thougt... Take the powersupply out of your laptop and take it to someone who has a tester (newegg has those also) or take it to a computer store..they can test it in about 10 seconds and tell you if that is the problem or not.
Just a thought.

LPDAD, I did that the day after it broke. It was tested and the power supply powered another laptop. The motherboard did die and I was told it would cost $500 to replace. I said F that. I currently have a Dell Studio XPS 16 on the way with the new 720QM processor Only thing I want from this laptop are the files.

 

[mpcrsc562]

i didn't check the newegg link, but a sata laptop drive can indeed use a desktop sata data and sata power cable--i've done it. beside, you'd get better copying speed using it hooked straight to the motherboard rather than usb.

 

[LPDad]

From what your describe, there is a 95% chance that your drive is fine.
Just be careful not to drop it, and keep it away from static electricity. You should have no problem with the static electricity issue, being from Santa Clarita...unless the Santa Ana Winds are blowing....that would be bad, if you know what I mean.

Go for it. You have nothing to loose. and the price is minimal.

 

[MattMJB0188]

From what your describe, there is a 95% chance that your drive is fine.
Just be careful not to drop it, and keep it away from static electricity. You should have no problem with the static electricity issue, being from Santa Clarita...unless the Santa Ana Winds are blowing....that would be bad, if you know what I mean.

Go for it. You have nothing to loose. and the price is minimal.

I know exactly what you mean lol. Thanks again for the recommendation.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Yeah, before you go spending any money though, I would try popping it into a desktop. If it does fit, you should have access to you files without having to spend the extra cash.