Computer dead! 1.5 Terabytes of Data. Projects due soon!! :-(

[ruthless29]

Hi there. My computer just died on me last week. All my projects are due in the next two weeks and they are stored on my C drive. My aim is to recover the files from my main hard drive without having to reformat the computer in the future.

HELP FOR SHORT TERM?
Some websites suggested Knoppix but like I said, my computer is dead. I want to be able to access my files on my WinXP hard drive (C drive) perhaps by plugging it into an External USB 2.0 hard drive and transferring the contents to my laptop. However, if I do this, I risk the drive having to be reformatted. So my question is: How do I access my files in my C:\Projects folder with an external hard drive without making it unbootable in the future?

HELP FOR LONG TERM?I think the reason my comp died is because the power supply of my Ultra Microfly was messing up. Out of nowhere, a few months ago my USB ports stopped working. Then recently my computer started shutting down randomly. I think the CPU fried because of lack of power OR the thermal paste had dried out. So I reapplied some thermal paste. All the fans still work. Some websites suggested its faulty RAM, but I tested the comp my just inserting one stick.
I plan to send all the parts in and get new ones under warranty OR I plan to re-order an AMD X2 CPU from Directcanada, a new mobo and a new Power Supply (greater than 400W). I have 1 CD-ROM drive, 4 HDDs and lots of USB devices running on my computer.

Thanks a million. I appreciate absolutely any input you can provide.

[Kakarot]

if you take out your main drive and make it a slave drive or cable select... adding it to your laptop via usb will allow you to view the files.... I would suggest that.... I have done this often, without having to format

try a new power supply

[adblink182]

buy a cheap hard drive enclosure and slap the harddrive in there and hook it up to your laptop. You never need to format the drive to use them in this way.

[7jaii]

* my aim is to recover the files from my main hard drive without having to reformat the computer in the future.

*I risk the drive having to be reformatted.[B]HELP FOR LONG TERM?

* my power supply of my Ultra Microfly was messing up. Out of nowhere, a few months ago my USB ports stopped working.

I PMed you, I can map out a full solution for your concerns if you're interested. You don't pay if I can retrieve your data, I'll also assist you in determining which component can be RMA'd.

[Amourek]

If you have access to a working desktop machine, you could just plug it in internally.

plugging it into an External USB 2.0 hard drive and transferring the contents to my laptop. However, if I do this, I risk the drive having to be reformatted. So my question is: How do I access my files in my C:\Projects folder with an external hard drive without making it unbootable in the future?

Putting it in an external enclosure doesn't alter the hard drive in any way. When you put it back into your repaired system (assuming you don't change the mobo or at least use with the same chipset), it will boot as normal.

My advice is get an external enclosure and keep it when you've got everything sorted out. Buy an extra hard drive for it to use as backup. Your data is not safe if you only have one copy.

[ruthless29]

Putting it in an external enclosure doesn't alter the hard drive in any way. When you put it back into your repaired system (assuming you don't change the mobo or at least use with the same chipset), it will boot as normal.

hmmm... I just posted another thread about buying a new computer because it'll take too long to get this existing one up and running (sending in each product to get replaced under warranty).

So pretty much I'm screwed if I want to put this hard drive with a new mobo + CPU? Are there any workarounds?
So does that mean that mean that in general when a person goes out and buys a new AMD CPU, he/she HAS to reformat their computer?

[aimfox]

Don't forget, if you pull your hard drive off your case. There's a chance that your hard drive can get ruin so use an anti static bag for the time being or leave it in your case. Maybe you can try buying an enclosure for your hard drive and connect it to your computer with a program that helps retrieve the files off your hard drive. I think I seen a friend doing this before but his was a laptop HD... Or you can go to CanadaComputers for technical help

[Amourek]

So pretty much I'm screwed if I want to put this hard drive with a new mobo + CPU? Are there any workarounds?
So does that mean that mean that in general when a person goes out and buys a new AMD CPU, he/she HAS to reformat their computer?

It's hit or miss... sometimes changing mobos is flawless with just a few drivers that need to be uninstalled/installed... but most of the time when I do it just blue screens and gets stuck in a reboot cycle.

You can always do a re-install without formatting but I prefer to do a clean install. If you've partitioned the drive and have your OS and programs on the same partition separate from your data it's not a big deal.

You could also try this: http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=A...read&arc_id=36

Never tried it myself though.

[robertalan]

Switch to back-up #1, and if that doesn't work, go to back-up #2.

[ruthless29]

I tried both the cable select and the slave method. It asked me to format?! noooooooo!!!!

EDIT for me being a dumbass: I tried with no jumpers and it WORKED!!!!!