Need to recover data from crashed hdd....

  • Thread starter Thread starter bakala_2000
  • Start date Start date
B

bakala_2000

My hdd crashed. Wont boot windows.

How do I recover data from the HDD? It is a dell laptop.

Can I use another laptop? Is there a boot CD somewhere that can fix
this?
 
There are a number of ways of trying to recover data from a crashed drive
but it's like writing a book and I don't have a list of url's I can give you
to go read but...

1. If you have another computer that you can install a second hard drive in
and use, (like maybe the one you're using now if it isn't a laptop) you
could remove the laptop drive, purchase the low-cost ($3) cable/pin
converter (CompUSA), and you could install it in the other system and work
on it there. This requires many other steps and makes some hardware
assumptions but if all the moon's are in alignment, it gives you one option
to pursue.

2. You could get a copy of a Linux distro (Knoppix comes to mind) that runs
from a CD. You didn't say if the laptop even has a CD or if its a CD/RW, or
if you have a floppy or a USB device that you could transfer your data to.
Most laptops do have a network connection and/or even a wireless connection
so you could connect to the other computer or network and copy your files
over. This may be more involved than what you want to try.

3. You didn't say what the OS is or what type file system (FAT32, NTFS) but
you can download a number of free boot disc images for CD or floppy and use
those to access the hard drive. A Win98 boot disc won't be able to read the
NTFS files though so you would need a bootdisk that does read NTFS files if
that's what you have. I believe the site www.bootdisk.com will be able to
help you out for making a suitable bootdisk.

4. Take the computer to a repair shop and have them do it.

So if we knew a bit more about what you have to work with, we might be
willing to provide some detailed instructions. Your post was a bit vague.

Bob S.
 
I'll add some more info since I assumed that what you meant is that you knew
the hard drive had crashed and has mechanical problems that have destroyed
the boot record.

I'll assume that there is no mechanical problems with the drive and that you
trashed the boot record or other files somehow.

1. A boot disc will get you to the drive if you have a floppy to run it from
or if your system will boot from a CD.

2. You can try a simple Safe Mode boot or use the Recovery CD Dell provides.

3. On some models, they just partition a small part of the drive and when
the system first starts up, you will see near the top right, Press F2 or F10
or F12 to get to the BIOS (F2 selection) and the other F10 or F12 will take
you to the Repair partition.

Bob S.
 
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