File Recovery

[Spindle]

Hi

Rather than highjack the XP thread I'll start a new one.

Recently my laptop died, I was running Vista and I'm pretty sure the registry became corrupt, to cut a long story short the computer siezes up just after it loads the desktop.

I've subsequently bought a new laptop, this time running Windows 8, however as I hadn't backed up most of my files from my previous laptop I though they were now lost.

Would I be correct in assuming, (from reading the XP Help thread), that I can buy an interface to allow me to recover the contents of my old HDD onto my new laptop? If so, could someone advise what I need to get or link me to where I could find the info, (in laymans terms please ).

I'm not trying to recover programmes, just photos spreadsheets and CAD files.

Regards Mick

 

[Dangermouse]

You might try putting your old hdd in an external case and plug it into your new laptop. Then you might be able to access.

 

[defsdoor]

You just need an Sata to USB adaptor (if its an Sata drive) . A laptop hd can be powered from USB fine. I've got one somewhere that came with an SSD you can have if its useful.

 

[mseries]

such devices sometimes known as Hard drive caddies are cheap (< £10) on eBay and good enough for occasional use. If you manage to salvage your files you could go onto reformat and partition the old drive to use a backup device or offline storage. I the drive isn't damaged you could pop it back in the PC and reinstall an OS and have a usable machine again.

 

[Lons]

such devices sometimes known as Hard drive caddies are cheap (< £10) on eBay and good enough for occasional use. If you manage to salvage your files you could go onto reformat and partition the old drive to use a backup device or offline storage. I the drive isn't damaged you could pop it back in the PC and reinstall an OS and have a usable machine again.

+1

I've done exactly that several times and keep one as extra backup for work stuff and another for photos. I have 7 spares of various sizes and all but the early low capacity are very useful.

Just an aside for anyone who has a mechanically faulty hard drive - take it to bits - as well as destroying your data permanently, it will provide a very powerful magnet for the workshop.

Bob

 

[dm65]

Have you tried safe mode ?

If that doesn't work, one of the many boot cd's available on the internet, plus a usb stick, will give you a copy of your files

 

[Lons]

You can't get a much cheaper solution than this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-2-5-SAT ... 1e7e5d50df

or usb3:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-inch-SATA ... 2a3032f3cb

Check the size of your HDD first to ensure you get a caddy that supports the size - there are loads available and somewhere, I've seen one that holds both 3.5 (std desktop hdd) and 2.5 (laptop / notebook drives)

Bob

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Thanks all

I've tried starting in safe mode but it still won't boot up so I'm going to give a caddy a try - silly not to at those prices.

Anyone know if Windows 8 will be an issue, both of the caddys that Lons linked to don't list Win 8 compatability - is this just the advertising being slow in keeping up with the times?

Regards Mick

 

[mseries]

I think it will be OK. Windows 8 is essentially Windows 7 under the covers, just a different user interface.

 

[Sheffield Tony]

I was going to suggest dipping it in acid, but this isn't the metalworking section, is it ...

 

[Lons]

Hi Mick
What mseries said. I'm pretty sure all of them will run under Win 8. The first link says it does in any case

Supports Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 / 8

Bob

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Well I'm a really happy chappie - Wednesday evening I ordered one of the caddies suggested by Lons:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-2-5-SAT ... 1e7e5d50df

It arrived this morning and I have now recovered all of my data - next step will be to try re-installing an OS and revitalising my old lappy.

Brilliant

Thanks all Mick

 

[mseries]

Hi


It arrived this morning and I have now recovered all of my data - next step will be to try re-installing an OS and revitalising my old lappy.

Brilliant

Thanks all Mick

Excellent. Have a try with Linux - there is no registry to get corrupted, go on, what's to lose ? If you can't get on with it, start again with Windows