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    HD fail recovery help!

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Doodles, Dec 6, 2008.

  1. Doodles

    Doodles Starving Student

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    So, guys, have a problem. My friends computer failed. Everytime he tries to start his vista system, there are apparently corrupted system files. SO, i have a question. Before he sends off his HDD to some company for a 100 bux and 10 days. I think i can help him. Can any1 confirm if i can do this.

    Can i remove his HDD from his laptop (say I know how) then put it either in MY laptop ( i have 3 bays) or in a 2.5 external enclosure and then still pull off all his individual document files? Or does the fact that it doesnt even boot means the files are all corrupted, or just the OS? he needs to kno soon. And i dont wanna say yes i can do this without being sure. He needs that info and im the only computer wiz he knows :D
     
    Doodles, Dec 6, 2008
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  2. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    You can definitely put it into another bay or an external enclosure. You can also use a Linux LiveCD like Knoppix to boot up and save data. Taking it out is the best idea but requires a bit more work. You may even be able to restore/repair the installation with no recovery required. In the future, you may want to suggest a 2 partition system for your friend, this will expedite this process in the future.
     
    gengerald, Dec 6, 2008
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  3. Doodles

    Doodles Starving Student

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    i love having extra drive bays in this baby! lol. Yea, I dont even have it partitioned, cuz i always feel like i'll never know how big to make it... (my program files is always changing sizes)
    so ill just pull it off his drive through my comp. i hope he didnt encrypt
     
    Doodles, Dec 6, 2008
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