Laptop died - need to get files off it, how?

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:25

Hi guys

So my laptop died, It had windows XP on it and was passworded, it starts up but doesn't display anything. Before it goes in for repair i need to get files off it.

Could i simply take out the 2.5" sata drive, put it in an enclosure then connect to another computer to get the files off it?

The problem is its obviously an XP boot drive, with a password. Is there a way round that? could i enter the password when trying to access the drive?

Hope you can help!

lurkio · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:31

Stick it in an enclosure , attach enclosure to another PC and copy your files off
It should be that easy unless the drive is damaged

dandaman2234 · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:37

Hi,

As long as you connect the drive into your computer as the 'slave' drive once your other computer has loaded windows, the OS should find your drive and install the drivers for it and allocate it with a drive letter. Then it should be a case of going to 'My Computer' and browsing the directorys for your files. (You may need to go into 'Computer management' to allocate a letter to the drive if Windows doesn't do it automatically).

If that fails you could try using an IDE to usb adaptor and searching the drive that way.

hp7909 · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:39

As above & one of this will do.

You could also, if using a desktop PC to recover connect it directly to the motherboard SATA & PSU power connector i.e. just as you would a normal desktop 3.5" drive.

Also, if password protected you might have an issue accessing where the files are located (i.e. C:\Documents and Settings folder) but you could try this.

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:39

Thanks you three, very helpful

much love!

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 15:41

hp7909 said:
As above & one of this will do.

You could also, if using a desktop PC to recover connect it directly to the motherboard SATA & PSU power connector i.e. just as you would a normal desktop 3.5" drive.

Also, if password protected you might have an issue accessing where the files are located (i.e. C:\Documents and Settings folder) but you could try this.

Awesome link!!!
Would have taken me hours to work out how to do that! Thanks mate

SimonC · 6 Jan 2011 at 17:05

Something else you could try, you may be able to connect the laptop up to a tv, I can just plug mine in and it shows up on the tv, or you may have an fn+f key to press, if that does work, then backup what you need.