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    How do I get info off hard drive if laptop won't turn on?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by ViperSurf, May 13, 2010.

  1. ViperSurf

    ViperSurf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Go figure, looking to buy a new laptop anyway and today I run into my 1st issue in 4 years of ownership. when I turn on my computer (pavillion dv8305) it turns off while booting. Now my battery has been dead for like 2 years but I always have it plugged in anyway when using it. Let's just say if it can't be fixed to turn on how can I access my info on the hdd? I have documents and some files/programs I need.
     
    ViperSurf, May 13, 2010
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  2. ViperSurf

    ViperSurf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Now the battery icon I remember would show some % but it would hold a charge, so even plugged in it would just say 50% or something like that. And I could swear it recently started showing 10 or 0%. Wonder if that's the issue? Either way worst case how could I get documents I need from the hdd? Thanks
     
    ViperSurf, May 13, 2010
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  3. Imperfect1

    Imperfect1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Try removing the battery and plugging the cord directly into the laptop. That's what I had to do, and it saved my bacon!!! Computer turned on, no problem.
     
    Imperfect1, May 13, 2010
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  4. ViperSurf

    ViperSurf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Doesn't work, I don't think this computer ever turned on without the battery in as I've tried that before.
     
    ViperSurf, May 13, 2010
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  5. dave.ladner

    dave.ladner Notebook Evangelist

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    You could try buying a new battery for it, seeing if that fixes the issue, as you'd have a hard time selling it (if you planned on it) without a battery in the first place.

    However, I believe places like Futureshop (Canadian only?) or other equivalent computer stores have a service that lets you bring in a hard drive and they plug it in (if its not dead) and take all the information off of it.
    You can then burn stuff to DVD's or put it on an external hard drive if you have one.

    Depends where you go though, and not sure on prices.
     
    dave.ladner, May 13, 2010
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  6. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    get an external USB cage and pop your drive in it, then use any other computer to pull the data off of it like an external drive.
     
    crazycanuk, May 13, 2010
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  7. snohman82

    snohman82 Notebook Guru

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    crazycanuk's solution is by far the easiest, and you can pick up a hard drive enclosure from anywhere between 5-20 bucks online. i did this when i transferred files from my dead dell inspirion 1420 (damn you nvidia!).
     
    snohman82, May 13, 2010
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  8. ViperSurf

    ViperSurf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Will the external cage and drive work with a MacBook pro?
     
    ViperSurf, May 13, 2010
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  9. Netherwind

    Netherwind Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, as long the hard drive is not dead, it will work in a MBP.
     
    Netherwind, May 13, 2010
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  10. ViperSurf

    ViperSurf Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeh I think it's fine, I really think the battery is shot but I'm going to a place tomorrow to see if a battery will work. These laptops will only turn on by power if the battery is in. And I know it recently was saying like 0% or something like that so think the battery is shot
     
    ViperSurf, May 13, 2010
    #10