Dropped Laptop, need help to rescue date!

[Kron1666]

Hi folks,

I dropped my old Dell Studio 15, and now it won't boot (it gets to the boot screen with the f12 and f2 options, but they don't work any more), although it still has power going to it. I wondered if there is any way I can get the files off of it by connecting to another laptop?
I have a Acer Aspire D255 netbook that I could use, but am not sure if or how I can connect them together? I also have an Apple iMac (sorry to mention that here) with NTFS reading software if that may help?
I vaguely remember something about connecting them with ethernet cables, but that may just be wishful thinking.

Any advice would very, very much appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[TVeblen]

The best case would be to find someone with a desktop PC running Windows that you can use for this.

If you can connect this drive to a PC as a secondary drive you may be able to get the data off as easy as cut and paste to a USB stick.
Connecting it as a primary drive will probably fail because it will not be able to Start Windows.

The drive in your laptop could very well be an IDE connected drive (if it's pre 2008 then very likely).
The connections in the netbook are most likely SATA.
The IDE connections in a PC for a 3.5 inch drive are different than the IDE connections on a 2.5 inch drive. You will need to find and use a Mini-IDE to SATA adapter, or Mini-IDE to IDE cable to make the connections.

If the Dell HDD is SATA then the connections are straightforward and simple. 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch SATA drives use the same connectors.

The Apple computer is a possibility, as long as it has the correct connectors and can recognize the drive then you should be able to use the software to move the files. But if you run into any compatibility glitches, then go find a friend with a PC.

 

[richnrockville]

Hi folks,

I dropped my old Dell Studio 15, and now it won't boot (it gets to the boot screen with the f12 and f2 options, but they don't work any more), although it still has power going to it. I wondered if there is any way I can get the files off of it by connecting to another laptop?
I have a Acer Aspire D255 netbook that I could use, but am not sure if or how I can connect them together? I also have an Apple iMac (sorry to mention that here) with NTFS reading software if that may help?
I vaguely remember something about connecting them with ethernet cables, but that may just be wishful thinking.

Any advice would very, very much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Welcome to the windows 7 forums.

One way is to remove the hard disk from your broken laptop and connect it with a cheap device (they make ide and sata) that are sold for around $15 in many stores. Then it can be connected to any other windows machine via USB and then you can retrieve your data, If the hard disk had a hard crash, like the head was damaged. then you are most likely out of luck.
You can search via google for usb hard disk adapters and find cheap ones.

hard disk to usb adapter is a good search title.

Rich

 

[Kron1666]

Thanks for your replies.

@TVeblen - the HDD's are both SATA, so I wondered what I would need to use to connect the netbook to the laptop? or to the apple in case no luck with netbook; i'm guessing that we are talking some sort of cable connection, or do you mean remove the HDD from the laptop first? Thanks again.

 

[TVeblen]

You can't connect the laptop to the netbook. The laptop does not run (Windows). So that option is out.

The netbook can only use one hard drive, so you can't connect the laptop drive as a secondary drive.

I like richnrockville's idea. That will work for you to connect the laptop drive to the netbook via USB.

Otherwise, you physically remove the 2.5" drive from the laptop, and connect it to a desktop using a spare SATA data cable and a SATA power connector from the power supply.

If you are not mechanically inclined then I suggest bringing the laptop to a repair shop where they can do this operation for you for relatively little money.

 

[Kron1666]

OK then, I will give that a try and let you know how I get on.

Thank you both!

 

[whs]

Get an external USB enclosure like this one (and there are many other models) and attach via the USB port. Newegg.com - Rosewill RX-DU101 Plastic 2.5" & 3.5" Black USB 2.0 Docking Station

But I am afraid that when you dropped it that there might have been a head crash and that would make the disk unuseable. Only specialized professionals could pull off the data - and that is very expensive.

It is always advisable to equip laptops with a SSD. They are completely shock resistant.

 

[sandman]

I have a Toshiba that the same thing happened to if you really need the data there are people that will recover the data for a price, the one i have here the stylus hit the platter, took it apart to see what was wrong and then put it back together but still no use, i tried every thing possible to get the data off, put in freezer is a popular trick they say tried that, but to no avail useless boat anchor. I told her after install new drive and all her software to kept her boyfriends hands off the laptop and don't drop it again. Good Luck.

 

[Kron1666]

Ok, thanks again folks

I ordered an enclosure and will try to recover the data that way. If it doesn't work, I think I will just have to live with it; I certainly can't afford to involve experts

 

[richnrockville]

Kron1666, one advantage of the cheaper device. it is cheaper than an enclosure.

Rich

 

[whs]

One more little tip. I have revived a HDD and also a USB stick once by leaving it in the fridge (not freezer) over night. You may try that too.