How to get data out of a defective HDD ?

[darkhorse]

Many thanks for this reply

 

[F5ing]

You're welcome. Good luck!

 

[darkhorse]

I have ordered the new HDD now.
It's a 1Tb drive.

I will make 2 partitons.

C:\ and D:\

Then do the install of the OS.

But after, where do I tell the system to install programs on partition D:\ ?.

I need this, because as mentioned the notebook belongs to one of my grandchild,
and if somethin happens in the future, it's good to be able to do a quick repair, and still have the porgrams installed.

 

[F5ing]

If it was me, and this was a machine where I had fairly regular access to for maintenance, I'd install the OS and apps on C:, and use D: for user data. I'd make an occasional image of C: (once a month or more often if stuff is added) and use a regular backup program for the user data on D:.

But again, that's me. Everyone has their own preferred method....

Hope your granddaughter truly appreciates this. Good luck!

 

[darkhorse]

Thanks for the suggestions. I can do a remote access for instance via Teamviewer to do backups on the notebook.
I'm sure she will be glad, as this is an important part of her live to work with the notebook.

 

[gregrocker]

Easiest way to link the data on D to Win7 is using the libraries. Just copy each User folder to D, rightclick on it to Add to Library: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

If you physically move the User folders to D, Win7 backup imaging will want to include D in the image in most cases. User Folders - Change Default Location

 

[darkhorse]

Easiest way to link the data on D to Win7 is using the libraries. Just copy each User folder to D, rightclick on it to Add to Library: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

If you physically move the User folders to D, Win7 backup imaging will want to include D in the image in most cases. User Folders - Change Default Location

Very fine. Thanks for the information. Will study it carefully

 

[gregrocker]

Note that you don't need to copy the User folders to C from backup at all. Just drag them from the external backup to D, then rightclick>link to Win7 library related to each. Some data will inevitably go into C User folders, however everything (C and D) will be visible when you open the related Library folder for Win7.

This is the principle of Libraries - that everything on your computer related to that library (Docs, Music, Pics, Vids, Downloads, etc) can be linked and seen at once - even from other computers on the network.

 

[darkhorse]

Thanks again. But as I'm not close to this computer -normally-, wound't it be an idea to do a preinstall of the OS ?.

How are the partitions made in a preinstalled system ?.

I mean how many, and in such a system what are they for ?

 

[bitkahuna]

if there's no partitions on a hard drive, i believe by default windows will create 1.
you're putting a 1TB drive on a laptop? big drive!
fyi, in my experience emachines are junk.

about windows keys - you can re-use them, but if they're used many times eventually microsoft won't validate them and you'd have to call their # to explain what's going on. i don't blame microsoft on this policy as a way to stop piracy.

 

[gregrocker]

Sure you can run the Recovery disks to make the reinstall easier if you want. Did you make them before the HD went bad?

After running Factory Recovery post back a screenshot of the maximized Disk management drive map and listings and we'll help you create, copy data in and link to a data partition if that's what you want.

I'd also check the maker's Support Downloads webpage for your model computer to see if there is a newer BIOS update which might be needed to recognize such a large HD. Hopefully Recovery disks will run and reinstall the factory image, but you'll have to wait to see.

 

[darkhorse]

Of course one partition is made.
But what I asked for was, how many partitions companies makes, for instance eMachines. Even they are good or bad .

I have this experince with Microsoft, that if you tell them what you have done, there is no problems installing again.

 

[gregrocker]

It doesn't matter how many partitions a manufacturer creates. If you run Factory Recovery from its partition or disks it will determine this for you.

If you want to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 the steps are all there for you to follow.

It's not easy to understand your question.

 

[darkhorse]

Ok gregrocker.

I wil try to make myself a bit more clear.

How are partitions determined for instance at Acer ?

 

[darkhorse]

Another matter.

I normally do install chipset after the OS has been installed.

But for the Notebook in focus, I cannot find the chipset?

Why not ?.

The link for the eMachines G640G is here:

Download Center ( ALL Products )

 

[gregrocker]

An OEM decides on partiitoning based on their particular Recovery scheme, normally adds a System Reserved boot partition which is needed for Bitlocker if user should ever upgrade to Ultimate, then C for Windows and sometimes a D for data since it is popular to link data to a separate partition in case C needs reimaging - the data remains current in it's own partition while just the OS and Programs on C are reimaged.

If the chipset is not listed for a particular OS then it's because the OEM knows it is in the installer as are most chipsets with Win7. I would never change out the chipset from that given by the 7 installer unless performance dictates this, or an element is missing in Deivce Manager - and in that case I would only browse from the Device>Update Driver to the unzipped chipset to pick up the missing device's driver.

All the steps to getting a perfect clean reinstall are in the tutorial I linked.

 

[darkhorse]

All ok. The HDD should arrive today, and I then go for the new install.
Thanks!

 

[darkhorse]

@ gregrocker

I can see, that the version I downloaded from the link you gave me is a N version.

As I installed it, I got this info, when I entered the S/N:

product key does not match the current Windows SKU

Should I find a non N version of the Home Premium I installed, or just activate online ?.

I don't think the preinstalled OS was an N version.

 

[darkhorse]

Sorry!, I can see on the download, that it's the N version I downloaded.
I start over again.

 

[gregrocker]

Correct. The version must match exactly, and I would definitely use 64-bit with 8gb of RAM.