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    Transfer data from internal HD to external HD

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by agentmichaelscarn, Oct 14, 2007.

  1. agentmichaelscarn

    agentmichaelscarn Newbie

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    I have a Dell Inspiron 1420 running Windows Vista. I can't boot into Windows due to a software glitch, so I want to transfer the data from my internal hard drive to an external hard drive. Is there a way to do this by booting from a CD or program on a flash drive?
     
    agentmichaelscarn, Oct 14, 2007
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  2. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    First try booting into Windows in safe mode (press F8 while booting I think?). If that doesn't work... check this out:
    http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page
    (I haven't used this, but it looks like it might help.)
     
    swarmer, Oct 14, 2007
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  3. agentmichaelscarn

    agentmichaelscarn Newbie

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    Thanks -- I can't boot into safe mode, either. I'll take a look, but I don't have a program to burn ISOs either. I'm using my roommate's Mac right now.

    Any other suggestions?
     
    agentmichaelscarn, Oct 14, 2007
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  4. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Pull the HDD and buy either a SATA -> USB adapter or HDD case. Then transfer.
     
    Lithus, Oct 14, 2007
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  5. vaio2k7

    vaio2k7 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have used a free software called Alcohol 120% to burn ISO files to a disc.
     
    vaio2k7, Oct 14, 2007
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  6. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    If you have another computer or can get someone to get it for you, you can download a Linux distro; most if not all Linux distros have a live version. From there you can boot up from the CD and get the files off your hard drive and transfer them to an external.

    Let me know if you need more help.
     
    dimonay, Oct 14, 2007
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  7. NotebookYoozer

    NotebookYoozer Notebook Evangelist

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    NotebookYoozer, Oct 14, 2007
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  8. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    dimonay, Oct 14, 2007
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  9. agentmichaelscarn

    agentmichaelscarn Newbie

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    I'm trying this method: If you type "notepad" or "regedit" from a command prompt, you can copy and paste files from your internal HDD to an external one.

    Seems to be working so far.
     
    agentmichaelscarn, Oct 14, 2007
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  10. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    I didn't know you could do that.

    Could you explain the process?
     
    dimonay, Oct 14, 2007
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  11. agentmichaelscarn

    agentmichaelscarn Newbie

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    Well, you boot from a Vista DVD. Click Repair. Click Command Prompt. Type "notepad". Click File > Open. Then copy and paste the files you want to an external hard drive.
     
    agentmichaelscarn, Oct 15, 2007
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  12. dimonay

    dimonay Notebook Consultant

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    That's pretty nifty, thanks for the info!
     
    dimonay, Oct 15, 2007
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  13. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    What's wrong with using the "copy" command from the command line? Honestly, doing it through notepad sounds like exactly the wrong way to do something like this.
     
    orev, Oct 16, 2007
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  14. agentmichaelscarn

    agentmichaelscarn Newbie

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    Well, you can't see your files, so it's hard to tell what exactly you are transferring.

    It's CTRL+C and CTRL+V in a GUI vs. memorizing DOS commands without a GUI.
     
    agentmichaelscarn, Oct 16, 2007
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  15. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    OK, I see your point. I think I was visualizing something different than what you were explaining.
     
    orev, Oct 16, 2007
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  16. bartle

    bartle Newbie

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    Try using magiciso to burn iso file. it is a good iso burner.
    http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-burnwin.htm
     
    bartle, Oct 23, 2007
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