Transfer Files from Hard Drive After Computer Crashed

[Guest]

My computer refused to boot and, after hearing the cost to fix, I decided on
an early Xmas present and bought a new one. I would like to take the old
hard drive and recover files from it. Is there a way to do that short of
taking the new, almost unused hard drive out of the new computer and
replacing it with the old drive? Any USB tools or Firewire that will hook
directly into a hard drive and allow me to transfer files to the new computer?

Thanks
Bill

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My computer refused to boot and, after hearing the cost to fix, I
decided on an early Xmas present and bought a new one. I would
like to take the old hard drive and recover files from it. Is
there a way to do that short of taking the new, almost unused hard
drive out of the new computer and replacing it with the old drive?
Any USB tools or Firewire that will hook directly into a hard drive
and allow me to transfer files to the new computer?

Yes.
You can purchase an external box and connect the old hard drive up and do it
that way.
You can also put the old hard drive in the new machine as a slave.

You *might* need this information after you do either:

How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Read *carefully* - do not just skim the page and start following steps.
There is important information there dependent on the version of Windows XP
you have.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

My computer refused to boot and, after hearing the cost to fix, I decided on
an early Xmas present and bought a new one. I would like to take the old
hard drive and recover files from it. Is there a way to do that short of
taking the new, almost unused hard drive out of the new computer and
replacing it with the old drive? Any USB tools or Firewire that will hook
directly into a hard drive and allow me to transfer files to the new computer?

Thanks
Bill

You have several options:
- Connect the old disk as a slave disk to the new PC.
- Install the old disk in a USB case, then connect it to the new PC.

From the sound of it you belong to the group of people who
do not believe in backing up their important files to an
independent medium, hence the need to transfer your files.
Have a look at the item "Repair turned into reinstallment...
all my files gone!!", posted here a little over a day ago. This
might be your chance to avoid the exorbitant tuition fee that
the author of the other post had to pay: Use your old disk
in its USB case as your weekly backup medium!

 

[Guest]

Thanks_I'll take your advice about backups in the future-once a month without
fail. Can you give me a little direction as to the "USB case" you referred
to? I've looked online and haven't yet found anything like that description.

Thanks
Bill Falzone

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I probably live in a different country than you do so I cannot give
you specific advice. Suffice it to say that if you walk into any
shop that sells PC accessories and ask for a USB case suitable
for a 3.5" IDE disk, they will give you the right thing. It will consist
of the case itself, an external power pack and a USB cable. The
more expensive ones are suitable for Firewire connections too but
you probably do not need this. Where I live the cost is the
equivalent of US$30.00 or less.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Thanks_I'll take your advice about backups in the future-once a
month without fail. Can you give me a little direction as to the
"USB case" you referred to? I've looked online and haven't yet
found anything like that description.

You live in Virginia?

Something like these - probably Best Buy, etc has it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...nclosure&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=0&Go.y=0