Retrieving files from harddrive


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Retrieving files from harddrive


    Hi there,

    I'll try and round up my problem quickly basically was running windows10 (upgraded from 7) on my alienware computer then all of a sudden the other day the motherboard went pop!
    So as i have files and photos that aren't backed up anywhere i really need to access the HDD to take the files only.

    I plugged the HDD(sata) into our other home computer but it just won't recognise it.
    However if i plug only this HDD in it boots into windows repair but... all the option fail to work when it loads.

    I am in a bad position as have wedding photos on there and other stuff that i really should have backed up.
    Thing is the HDD should be fine i just cannot get it to work like a slave drive or whatever to take the files i need.

    Thanks for reading
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #2

    shinobi61 said:
    Hi there,

    I'll try and round up my problem quickly basically was running windows10 (upgraded from 7) on my alienware computer then all of a sudden the other day the motherboard went pop!
    So as i have files and photos that aren't backed up anywhere i really need to access the HDD to take the files only.

    I plugged the HDD(sata) into our other home computer but it just won't recognise it.
    However if i plug only this HDD in it boots into windows repair but... all the option fail to work when it loads.

    I am in a bad position as have wedding photos on there and other stuff that i really should have backed up.
    Thing is the HDD should be fine i just cannot get it to work like a slave drive or whatever to take the files i need.

    Thanks for reading
    Hi shinobi61 and welcome to Tenforums.

    Sorry to hear this. It doesn't sound good. You could try a data recovery program like Recuva and see if it can read the drive. Sometimes recovery programs will be able to read drives that Windows can not. However, if the MB failure affected the drive somehow, you may be looking at professional services to get your wedding photos back.

    Edit: No OneDrive? No Dropbox? No Google Drive? Nothing?
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #3

    Try this

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...s-dead-os.html

    I will be glad to answer further questions.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    I would just get a hard drive enclosure. A 2 1/2" enclosure can be powered from just the USB port but the 3 1/2" needs an external power source. You can pick one up at Best Buy, Staples, or your local computer shop. You can find them cheaper online but you have to wait for it to arrive.

    I have one one of these and it works well. You can find them cheaper on eBay but they don't come with the external power source for 3 1/2" drives.

    IDE SATA to USB 2 0 Adapter Converter Cable for 2 5 3 5 inch Hard Drive HD HDD | eBay

    I like it because the hard drive always runs cool. They can get hot in an enclosure if you are using it for long periods of time.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi guys thanks for replys, so i tried recuva, couldn't find the drive in there.
    I am just now installing linuxmint to usb and try that i have tried a similar method with Ubuntu USB stick and the drive showed on there
    It actually showed the 2 partitions OS & DELLUTILITY however i couldn't open them it said locked or something.
    Anyway i will report back after i try mint.

    Thanks again!

    Edit: ok the drive shows in mint labelled Harddrive: 1TB but cannot open it it just says Unable to mount.. or something similar

    Some more info though, now when booting the PC it shows a screen i presume to be this computers Raid utility screen it lists both harddrives like so.

    Port Serial Size ______
    0 WD................... 935.1GB Non RAID DISK
    2 SG..................... 935.1GB SMART EVENT

    So smart event i think indicates a bad HDD or whatever but it does show here in this screen also if i press F12 on startup to the boot menu it also shows both hard drives there aswell.

    Summary
    HDD shows in raid manager on boot
    HDD shows in boot menu
    HDD does not show in windows at all
    HDD shows in linux mint but not able to open

    Thanks for reading!
    Last edited by shinobi61; 10 Mar 2016 at 04:07.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #6

    Yeah, you've got some serious damage to the drive.
    One other free recovery program is EaseUS.

    Failing that, you might want to consider Steve Gibson's SpinRite, (assuming this is a "spinner" and not a SSD). It's $89 if you've never purchased it before. This would be an alternative, or a step to try before going to "clean-room" professional recovery services, (example), which charge approximately $1-2,000, depending on the failure mode and amount of data to be recovered.

    GRC

    Purchase Download

    SpinRite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I've never used it personally, but it does have a good testimonials for data recovery.

    Just depends how badly you need your data back.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Ok i have had no luck so far, will using an external housing or cables (USB?) make the drive work any differently?
    I figured direct into the motherboard like a normal HDD would be the same?
    Thanks
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #8

    shinobi61 said:
    Ok i have had no luck so far, will using an external housing or cables (USB?) make the drive work any differently?
    I figured direct into the motherboard like a normal HDD would be the same?
    Thanks
    Should make no difference, unless for some reason the cable you are using is no good.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Ok so before i try and get a professional to try and read the drive i'm gonna grab some cables when i buy the new PC they are cheap enough just incase i have a dodgy cable or something.
    To clarify on the motherboard i have here at the moment i got 2 blue SATA ports and 4 black ones.
    The blues are numbered 0 & 1 then black 2 to 5.
    In which port should i have the working OS from this computer and which port for the presumed broken drive?
    Thanks.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    Working drive would go in SATA 0, broken hard drive in SATA 1. CD/DVD Rom drive(s) in next numbered SATA ports.
      My Computer


 

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