Installing Windows on a crashed laptop problem

[KS1951]

The hard drive on my laptop crashed, wanted to try and retrieve my files. Made a bootable USB drive on my PC, started up the laptop with the USB drive, got as far as "Where do you want to install Windows?". I wanted to install on the same USB drive, it's a 32GB so plenty of space. But the only option showing is "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" and 0.0 MB. Clicking Drive Options didn't help. I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[file3456]

I think you're going about it the wrong way.

You have two easy choices to nab the files off the computer:


1) Use a PE version of Windows like HIren's Boot CD or even a Linux Live OS of Puppy Linux or whatever. With Linux you need to be careful not to install to the drive though. Hiren's would be a lot safer, and it's Windows...

2) Remove the hard drive (HDD) and connect it to a SATA to USB port reader. Plug into a good working computer...

On number 1. Grab Hiren's here.

Grab Ventoy here.


Now use Ventoy to format the USB drive. It won't be apparent Ventoy did anything but rest assured it has.

Now simply copy/paste the Hiren's Boot CD .ISO file to the Ventoy formatted USB drive. Yes, just copy and paste the .ISO file you downloaded from Hiren's to the USB drive.


Now boot it like you did before. You'll get a menu in Ventoy with the option to boot Hiren's. Once the PE version of Windows 10 launches (Hiren's Boot CD), on the desktop chose the "This PC" icon. That's the Windows 10 equivalent to "My Computer." From there you might see your internal laptop drive from which you can copy/paste over files to another connected USB drive.

I say might see your internal drive because who knows the extent of the damage. It could be so bad it's completely gone. There is specialized software to help with that depending on the issue, but depending on how important the data is you may need to seek a reputable data recovery professional. And those guys aren't cheap. You also want to limit your interaction with the problematic drive as using it can make things even worse for recovery.


On number 2: I have this model and so far so good. (Bought it on eBay actually for a lot cheaper back then. No crime, I mean Prime required.

- - - Updated - - -

PS: What's with the Startech horse s**t all over Amazon? LOL I wonder if they too are dubbed an Amazon "climate pledge friendly" product despite being manufactured in the land of ten thousand smoke stacks?


Interesting: StarTech.com - Wikipedia

This article contains content that is written like an advertisement

You bet it does. Read the sources.

 

[KS1951]

Thanks for the reply. Some of this stuff is above my level of expertise. Most of the files lost weren't critical, and the more important ones were backed up. This is my first hard drive crash EVER, my first computer with a hard drive was purchased in 1994.

 

[samuria]

The error says the drive has no paritions its work downloagin free parition recovery that has a bootable option and see if it finds the partions
Top 10 Free Partition Recovery Software 2023

 

[KS1951]

Thanks samuria. Looks like these programs are for Windows 10/11, I'm running Win 7.

 

[samuria]

does any o/s

 

[Megahertz07]

I would say that your drive is dead. (showing is "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" and 0.0 MB)
Time to buy a SSD.
My suggestions (from what I learned the hard way)
- Don't buy a SSD space that you won't use in the next few months. On the future, when you need more space, you would be able to buy a better and cheaper one with the money you save today.
My first 120G SSD that I bought in 2013 cost me US$120 or US$ 1 /GB. Today you buy a 1T SSD for less than US$70 or US$0.07 /GB
- Don't buy the best and also expensive SSD. A cheap SSD may last shorter but with the money you save, in the future, you will buy a much better, bigger and cheaper to replace it. In 2015 I bought a 128G Samsung Pro for US$95. It was the best and most expensive. In 2018 I bought a faster 128G BX500 for US$17.

MX500 is a very good SSD,
To understand SSD different prices, there are different flash memory types.
Samsung QVO vs EVO vs PRO: What's the Difference?

 

[BamaInArk]

The hard drive on my laptop crashed, wanted to try and retrieve my files. Made a bootable USB drive on my PC, started up the laptop with the USB drive, got as far as "Where do you want to install Windows?". I wanted to install on the same USB drive, it's a 32GB so plenty of space. But the only option showing is "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" and 0.0 MB. Clicking Drive Options didn't help. I appreciate any suggestions.

And an FYI if you want to install Windows to a USB flash drive use the Utility called Rufus. You'll still need access to a Windows ISO preferably Win10/11. The Rufus utility allows to to install Windows to a bootable USB flash drive. You just need a fairly good sized flash drive to hold the operating system. I did it once using a 64 G flash drive and fully updated it afterwards.

Are you capable enough to simply remove the drive from the laptop? If so this will be your best option at attempted recovery.

 

[KS1951]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was able to get to the command prompt and had it list all available drives and my HD wasn't one of them. It looks like the drive is dead. So I will plan on buying a new laptop sometime. One with a SSD drive is a good suggestion, but I'm surprised at the small size that comes with them. 128 GB is typical, saw one with just a 64 GB. My laptop which I bought used over 6 years ago has a 294 GB HDD.

 

[Megahertz07]

Most new mid range laptops and up come with at least 256G SSD and Win 11.

Just replace the HDD with a SSD, install Win 7 pro and you're will have a good machine.
I can guide you on reinstalling Win 7 and activating.

 

[KS1951]

Just replace the HDD with a SSD, install Win 7 pro and you're will have a good machine.

That's a good idea, lot cheaper than a new laptop, and I wouldn't have to learn Windows 11.

 

[Megahertz07]

That's a good idea, lot cheaper than a new laptop, and I wouldn't have to learn Windows 11.

Do you have the Win 7 installation files?
What key are you going to use?

For the updates - Single file with all updates - Simplix