the scouser Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 My hard drive died on me last week. Windows refused to load and, instead, a message was displayed which said something like "hard disk status = bad. Imminent failure. Back up your data now." However, as Windows would not load, I could not back up my data. I've now bought a new base unit and was wondering if it's possible for me to get any files off the now-deceased old hard drive? There's nothing too important on there except loads of photos of our son which I never copied to CD/DVD and my missus is giving me grief. Thanks for your thoughts. Scouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest endure Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 You need to install the old drive as a slave unit in your new PC to see whether it's possible to get any data off. It's not difficult but better done by somenone who knows the innards of a PC. Could the people who you bought the new base from do it for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the scouser Posted July 8, 2006 Author Share Posted July 8, 2006 Could the people who you bought the new base from do it for you? I bought it from Currys and I get the general impression that the adolescent spotty oik who sold me the new machine knows less than I do (and that's quite an achievement). You're right that I do need someone to do it for me as I'd be scared stiff of messing up my new hard drive, so I'll try and find someone who at least engenders a bit of confidence. Cheers, Scouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronz28 Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 I have heard you can get the old hard drive to work a little longer by putting it in the freezer for a while and then installing it back into your computer and immediately unloading all your data from it. I haven't done this myself but a Google search shows others have and some succeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest endure Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 You can also get them to work temporarily by hitting them with a small hammer - the skill is knowing where and how hard to hit them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 You might try buying a USB housing and put the old drive in it (they should come with full instructions and don't cost much) - no need to open computer and no way you can mess up the present HD that way. After you get or don't get data from the old drive buy a new drive for the USB and use it for backups every week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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