←Older revision Revision as of 00:16, 10 July 2019 Line 3: Line 3:   [[Category:Hard Drives]]   [[Category:Hard Drives]]...

Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop

←Older revision Revision as of 00:16, 10 July 2019
Line 3: Line 3:
 
[[Category:Hard Drives]]
 
[[Category:Hard Drives]]
 
== Steps ==
 
== Steps ==
=== Using Your Old Hard Drive as an External Hard Drive (Windows, Mac, Linux) ===
+
===Using Your Old Hard Drive as an External Hard Drive (Windows, Mac, Linux)===
 
#Purchase a hard drive disk enclosure. This is an external system into which you can place a computer’s hard drive in order to run it on another computer via a USB port; essentially, the enclosure will turn your laptop’s hard drive into an external hard drive. Different computers use different hard drive models, so be sure to check your dead laptop’s specifications before making this purchase. For example, if your laptop has a 2.5 SATA drive, you will need a 2.5 SATA USB enclosure.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Purchase a hard drive disk enclosure. This is an external system into which you can place a computer’s hard drive in order to run it on another computer via a USB port; essentially, the enclosure will turn your laptop’s hard drive into an external hard drive. Different computers use different hard drive models, so be sure to check your dead laptop’s specifications before making this purchase. For example, if your laptop has a 2.5 SATA drive, you will need a 2.5 SATA USB enclosure.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#* Unless you have a SATA drive, '''be sure to buy a laptop-sized disk enclosure'''; only SATA-ready enclosures can accommodate both desktop and laptop hard drives.
 
#* Unless you have a SATA drive, '''be sure to buy a laptop-sized disk enclosure'''; only SATA-ready enclosures can accommodate both desktop and laptop hard drives.
Line 10: Line 10:
 
#*Alternatively, you can hook a second external hard drive up to the working computer and simply use the computer to transfer files from the old drive to the new one
 
#*Alternatively, you can hook a second external hard drive up to the working computer and simply use the computer to transfer files from the old drive to the new one
 
#* A Linux computer will be able to read files off of a Windows computer (but not the other way around); unless you understand both systems, however, it is best to use a Windows computer to recover a Windows hard drive.
 
#* A Linux computer will be able to read files off of a Windows computer (but not the other way around); unless you understand both systems, however, it is best to use a Windows computer to recover a Windows hard drive.
#*Mac computers can read hard drives formatted for Windows default NTFS files system, but they cannot write or transfer files to a NTFS hard drive.  Hard drives formatted for Mac's HFS file system can only be read by another Mac computer.  [[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
+
#*Mac computers can read hard drives formatted for Windows default NTFS files system, but they cannot write or transfer files to a NTFS hard drive.  Hard drives formatted for Mac's HFS file system can only be read by another Mac computer.   
 
#Remove the hard drive from the dead laptop. Make sure the laptop is unplugged and the battery is disconnected.  Locate the panel on the bottom of the laptop and remove it. Then locate the hard drive inside the computer and carefully remove it.  You'll probably need ainy screwdriver to remove the laptop panel and hard drive.The location of hard drive is different from one laptop model to another. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's website if you need help locating the hard drive.[[Image:RecoverData from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Remove the hard drive from the dead laptop. Make sure the laptop is unplugged and the battery is disconnected.  Locate the panel on the bottom of the laptop and remove it. Then locate the hard drive inside the computer and carefully remove it.  You'll probably need ainy screwdriver to remove the laptop panel and hard drive.The location of hard drive is different from one laptop model to another. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's website if you need help locating the hard drive.[[Image:RecoverData from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#*On some laptop models, the hard drive may be soldered to the motherboard and unremovable.  If this is the case, you may be able to take the computer to a repair specialist and have them attempt to recover the data for you.  Apple stores have a special tool that can recover data from 2016 Macbooks.  It is not guaranteed that they will be able to recover your data.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Jq1t0u>
 
#*On some laptop models, the hard drive may be soldered to the motherboard and unremovable.  If this is the case, you may be able to take the computer to a repair specialist and have them attempt to recover the data for you.  Apple stores have a special tool that can recover data from 2016 Macbooks.  It is not guaranteed that they will be able to recover your data.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Jq1t0u>
#Remove the disk enclosure’s connector plate and insert it into the hard drive interface. Look for connector pins at one end of the drive to see where to make this connection.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
+
#Place the old hard drive in the disk enclosure. Check where the connector pins are located on the hard drive and connect them to the pins in the enclosure.  The way this is done is going to be different from one model to another.  Check the user's manual that came with the enclosure for further instructions.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#* If you have an IDE hard drive, note that there is a detachable adapter sitting over the interface. Simply pull this adapter off so that the drive will properly connect with the enclosure’s connector plate.
 
#* If you have an IDE hard drive, note that there is a detachable adapter sitting over the interface. Simply pull this adapter off so that the drive will properly connect with the enclosure’s connector plate.
#Insert the hard drive into the enclosure. Screw it shut if necessary; read the enclosure manual for additional details.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
+
#Connect the disk enclosure to the working computer.  Once the hard drive is placed in the enclosure, it functions as an external hard drive. Connect it to the working computer using the USB cable.
 
#Connect a second external hard drive to the working computer (optional). If you are using a second external hard drive, use a USB cable to connect it to the working computer. Once the drive is connected, an icon should appear on your desktop (Mac) or a notification should pop up (Windows). The computer might also open the drive for you automatically.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Connect a second external hard drive to the working computer (optional). If you are using a second external hard drive, use a USB cable to connect it to the working computer. Once the drive is connected, an icon should appear on your desktop (Mac) or a notification should pop up (Windows). The computer might also open the drive for you automatically.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
#* If your comuter doesn’t automatically prompt you about the new external storage unit, simply open File Explorer on Windows, or the Finder on Mac and click on the old hard drive. File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip.  It's in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.  The Finder has a icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face.  It's in the Dock at the bottom of the screen.
+
#* If your comuter doesn’t automatically prompt you about the new external storage unit, simply open File Explorer on Windows, or the Finder on Mac and click on the old hard drive. File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip.  It's in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.  The Finder has a icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face.  It's in the Dock at the bottom of the screen.
 
#* If the hard drive isn’t recognized at first, try ejecting it and plugging it back in.  
 
#* If the hard drive isn’t recognized at first, try ejecting it and plugging it back in.  
 
#* If the hard drive is not readable, it’s likely that the hard drive itself (and not your computer’s software) failed. If this is the case, you will need professional assistance if you wish to continue the salvage. Be warned that this can be very expensive.
 
#* If the hard drive is not readable, it’s likely that the hard drive itself (and not your computer’s software) failed. If this is the case, you will need professional assistance if you wish to continue the salvage. Be warned that this can be very expensive.
 
#Transfer your old files a working hard drive or computer. Transfer them to either the working computer or to a second [[Copy Files to an External Hard Drive| external hard drive]] by copying and pasting, or clicking and dragging. If you have a lot of large files (ex. songs, movies), note that the transfer could take many hours.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 8 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Transfer your old files a working hard drive or computer. Transfer them to either the working computer or to a second [[Copy Files to an External Hard Drive| external hard drive]] by copying and pasting, or clicking and dragging. If you have a lot of large files (ex. songs, movies), note that the transfer could take many hours.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 8 Version 2.jpg|center]]
#Close Windows File Explorer or the Finder on Mac. When you are finished transfering your files, click the '''X''' icon to close File Explorer or the Finder on Mac.  
+
#Close Windows File Explorer or the Finder on Mac. When you are finished transfering your files, click the '''X''' icon to close File Explorer or the Finder on Mac. The good news is that the dead computer is still physically intact and will probably work fine if you [[Install a New Operating System on Your Computer|reinstall your operating system]] or replace the faulty parts.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 9 Version 2.jpg|center]]
The good news is that the dead computer is still physically intact and will probably work fine if you [[Install a New Operating System on Your Computer|reinstall your operating system]] or replace the faulty parts.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 9 Version 2.jpg|center]]
+
 
#Right-click the USB icon and select Eject. You can now detach the old hard drive.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 10 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Right-click the USB icon and select Eject. You can now detach the old hard drive.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 10 Version 2.jpg|center]]
   
Line 38: Line 37:
 
#* If you have an IDE drive, configure it to “slave” mode before connecting it to the IDE ribbon. The configuration should be noted on the hard drive itself and will involve moving a plastic cap over a particular pin or set of pins (aka “jumpers”) on the hard drive interface. Configuring it to slave mode will keep your laptop hard drive from competing with the desktop’s “master” hard drive during boot-up.  
 
#* If you have an IDE drive, configure it to “slave” mode before connecting it to the IDE ribbon. The configuration should be noted on the hard drive itself and will involve moving a plastic cap over a particular pin or set of pins (aka “jumpers”) on the hard drive interface. Configuring it to slave mode will keep your laptop hard drive from competing with the desktop’s “master” hard drive during boot-up.  
 
#Configure your desktop to recognize the new drive. Plug your desktop back in, power it on, and [[Change Computer BIOS Settings|open BIOS]]. Go to '''Standard CMOS Settings''' or '''IDE Config''', where you will find four settings involving master and slave settings. Change all four fields to auto-detection.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Configure your desktop to recognize the new drive. Plug your desktop back in, power it on, and [[Change Computer BIOS Settings|open BIOS]]. Go to '''Standard CMOS Settings''' or '''IDE Config''', where you will find four settings involving master and slave settings. Change all four fields to auto-detection.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]
#*Th BIOS Settings and menus may be different from one computer model to another.
+
#*The BIOS Settings and menus may be different from one computer model to another.
 
#Exit BIOS and reboot. Your desktop should now automatically detect the new hardware.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 17 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Exit BIOS and reboot. Your desktop should now automatically detect the new hardware.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 17 Version 2.jpg|center]]
#Open the new hard drive. If you’re using Windows, open File Explorer and look for the new hard drive. It's the icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip in the taskbar.  
+
#Open the new hard drive. If you’re using Windows, open File Explorer and look for the new hard drive. It's the icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip in the taskbar. With Linux, the new drive will appear in the '''dev''' directory.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 18 Version 2.jpg|center]]
With Linux, the new drive will appear in the '''dev''' directory.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 18 Version 2.jpg|center]]
+
 
#* If the hard drive is not readable, it’s likely that the hard drive itself (and not your computer’s software) failed. If this is the case, you will need professional assistance if you wish to continue the salvage. Be warned that this can be very expensive.
 
#* If the hard drive is not readable, it’s likely that the hard drive itself (and not your computer’s software) failed. If this is the case, you will need professional assistance if you wish to continue the salvage. Be warned that this can be very expensive.
 
#Transfer the files to the working computer. Use File Explorer to transfer the old files to either the working computer or [[Copy Files to an External Hard Drive|to the external hard drive]] by copying and pasting, clicking and dragging, etc. If you have a lot of large files (ex. songs, movies), note that the transfer could take many hours.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 19 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 
#Transfer the files to the working computer. Use File Explorer to transfer the old files to either the working computer or [[Copy Files to an External Hard Drive|to the external hard drive]] by copying and pasting, clicking and dragging, etc. If you have a lot of large files (ex. songs, movies), note that the transfer could take many hours.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 19 Version 2.jpg|center]]
Line 48: Line 46:
 
=== Accessing Your Old Files through Another Computer (Mac Only) ===
 
=== Accessing Your Old Files through Another Computer (Mac Only) ===
 
#Purchase a FireWire cable. They cost anywhere between $5 and $20.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 21.jpg|center]]
 
#Purchase a FireWire cable. They cost anywhere between $5 and $20.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 21.jpg|center]]
#Borrow or purchase a working Mac. Make sure the Mac has enough space to accommodate the files you want to recover from the dead laptop.
+
#Borrow or purchase a working Mac. Make sure the Mac has enough space to accommodate the files you want to recover from the dead laptop.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 22.jpg|center]]
#*Alternatively, you can connect a second external hard drive up to the working Mac and simply use the Mac to transfer files from the old hard drive to the new one.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 22.jpg|center]]
+
#*Alternatively, you can connect a second external hard drive up to the working Mac and simply use the Mac to transfer files from the old hard drive to the new one.
 
#Connect the dead Mac to the working Mac using the FireWire cable. Make sure that the working Mac is '''turned off''' when you do this.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 23.jpg|center]]
 
#Connect the dead Mac to the working Mac using the FireWire cable. Make sure that the working Mac is '''turned off''' when you do this.[[Image:Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop Step 23.jpg|center]]
 
#Boot up the working mac in Target Disk Mode.  If you are using an older version of MacOS, simply boot up the working Mac and press as it boots up.  Otherwise, use the following steps to boot into Target Disk Mode in MacOS 10.4 or newer.
 
#Boot up the working mac in Target Disk Mode.  If you are using an older version of MacOS, simply boot up the working Mac and press as it boots up.  Otherwise, use the following steps to boot into Target Disk Mode in MacOS 10.4 or newer.


from wikiHow - Recent Changes [en] https://ift.tt/2XBvn5N
via IFTTT