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Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 11:03
Right my old laptop decided to give up on me, i bought a new one. I have lost all my files.
I have removed the harddrive from my old laptop and bought one of the ebay 2.5sata cables to usb and power packs. But it will not connect to my laptop


What can i do? Or anybody got tips/advice
huggy54
3rd January 2010, 12:56
what size is the hard drive? as i had the same problem many times before
davidandrews5343
3rd January 2010, 12:58
how did your old laptop die ?
Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 13:04
hard drive is 80gig in two 40gig sectors, 2.5 sata
the laptop refused to switch on. It kept crashing then decided it wouldnt start one day
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 13:08
tried mounting it externally on another pc?
Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 13:19
how do you mean? Thats what i have dont i think with the sata to usb + power cables setup
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 13:41
Well, if it's not booting it could just be a corrupt system and you could just access the files via the other pc.

I'd buy an enclosure to be honest mate and try that.

SaxGeek
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 13:41
By crashing do you mean like freezing on boot?
Blue screen with loads of white text?

SaxGeek
Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 13:46
i would be using it then it would freeze and i'd have to switch it off on the button.

Then it did get a blue screen
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 13:52
i would be using it then it would freeze and i'd have to switch it off on the button.

Then it did get a blue screen

Okay mate, it sounds to me that you have a corrupt operating system.
Your best bet is to:
Mount the drive externally
Backup all documents you need
Wipe the corrupt drive
Install Windows 7
Put your data back on.

Sorted :clapping:

Let me know if you need any help dude - always up for helping.

SaxGeek
Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 13:56
what would i use to connect the drive to? The drive wont get used again. I just want my files off of it. As i have a new laptop ect
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 14:04
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/182065
That should work. It is 2.5" right?
Sparco_Tom
3rd January 2010, 14:09
is there anything cheaper?
SaxGeek
3rd January 2010, 14:11
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-SATA-TO-USB-EXTERNAL-HARD-DRIVE-CASE-ENCLOSURE_W0QQitemZ290377898497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL?hash=item43 9bdf1a01#ht_2675wt_858 ?
Penn
3rd January 2010, 14:18
So you currently have a sata to USB connector that you're plugging into your laptop to try and recover data from your old drive?

How is the drive being powered, through USB or a mains adaptor?
davidandrews5343
3rd January 2010, 14:21
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-SATA-TO-USB-EXTERNAL-HARD-DRIVE-CASE-ENCLOSURE_W0QQitemZ290377898497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL?hash=item43 9bdf1a01#ht_2675wt_858 ?

if the cable dosnt work then that wont
Sparco_Tom
6th January 2010, 00:38
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-SATA-TO-USB-EXTERNAL-HARD-DRIVE-CASE-ENCLOSURE_W0QQitemZ290377898497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL?hash=item43 9bdf1a01#ht_2675wt_858 ?

I purchased this and used it today. Works perfectly. Now recovered everything and transfered it across to my new laptop.
Then reformatted the drive so its now an 80gb external hard drive