I have a laptop hard drive question? (Page 1/1)
HIOSILVER! MAR 11, 09:07 AM
Hello all
So my laptop tanked. Im stuck in the windows 10 auto repair loop and it wont boot.

I did some reading where i could remove the hard drive and connect it to another pc via usb to get my files off of it.

The hard drive looks like this one and i havent been able to locate a suitable wire? Can anyone please guide me? I need to get my personal business files and family stuff off this one.

Looks like this.

https://www.amazon.com/SanD...d=1615471207&sr=8-10

[This message has been edited by HIOSILVER! (edited 03-11-2021).]

williegoat MAR 11, 09:29 AM
Maybe this: https://www.amazon.com/M-2-...id=1615472787&sr=8-8

edit: I say maybe, because I haven't looked at all of the details to make absolutely sure that the two devices are compatible, but I am confident (based on the fact that you have gotten this far) that you can do that.

[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 03-11-2021).]

TheDigitalAlchemist MAR 11, 02:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by williegoat:

Maybe this: https://www.amazon.com/M-2-...id=1615472787&sr=8-8

edit: I say maybe, because I haven't looked at all of the details to make absolutely sure that the two devices are compatible, but I am confident (based on the fact that you have gotten this far) that you can do that.




That should work fine (M.2) You may need data recovery software to get the data if the drive is unhappy. (DO NOT "initialize" it if the OS asks you)
theogre MAR 11, 06:33 PM
Is 2 type but look same to most people.
1 uses SATA same as normal HD/SSD.
other uses PCI same as full PCI/PCIx cards.

Means...
some "cards" won't fit some slots.
some slots and "cards" won't work together even if cards are double notch and will fit.

So Read card label carefully and look up name and model/PN BEFORE you buy something to use it on another PC.

If "Laptop" is Chrome, Apple, etc, most likely won't work work on Windows machine. Same problem can happen move across other OS. Is why you Do Not initialize or otherwise change format of the drive. If you do much harder or impossible to get data off.

Some laptops have 1 or more drive security methods. If used, You may not get any data back.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-11-2021).]

James Bond 007 MAR 11, 11:16 PM
Google search: How to fix the windows 10 auto repair loop. That might help. But use caution, you don't want to make your situation worse.
theogre MAR 12, 12:02 AM
If you have data that's important, backup that Before you try to fix the OS. More so since WinX because many "fixes" depends on exact version and updates applied to your machine. IOW Many "Fixes" work for X version but you have Y or Z.

for future backups...
Buy "small" 1TB external USB3 drive.
Copy/past all your my docs etc.

Small "laptop" size drive work w/o added power pack even on pc only use USB2. (but will be slow on USB2.)
USB3 drive is almost as fast as internal HD.
While not "required," use USB safe disconnect in System Tray just to make sure data moving is fully done.
HIOSILVER! MAR 12, 12:28 PM
For a little more detail its an older laptop Id say 5-6 years. Cracked screen. LOL mainly used for billing for my plowing and garage business.
Laptop is an Dell E7447? Dont recall its sitting at home. My work is only willing to reimage it to fix it but they said all data would be lost. They dont work on non work PCs but were willing to make an exception.

The unit i ordered will be here tonight and Ill post pictures of the exact hard drive and unit. Is there a reccomended data recovery software i should use?

I have googled the windows 10 auto repair loop and tried each resolution but none worked. To remove the drive and get the filesis also what I had found. The files is all i care about. Dont care about fixing this thing.
HIOSILVER! MAR 12, 12:30 PM
Just want to say I appreciate you all and your help in this. Despite being fieroless for a long time now I still come here daily. I enjoy keeping up with the builds and even the drama of OT. Its entertaining.
theogre MAR 12, 03:57 PM
Should Not need "recovery" software. Disk tries to boot so all data should be intact and available w/o issues...

If you Did Not enable BitLocker or other Disk Encryption...

If USB... "plug in" old drive AFTER booting another PC.
If use SATA/PCI/PCIx "adapters" or plugged directly into MoBo Slot... Make Sure this drive Will Not try to boot.

go to x:\users\User Name\ (x: will be assign at plugin/boot time)
⚠️ Warning: User Name often isn't = to whatever name you see on screen as your name. Depends just how OEM setup the machine at factory.
Even if they match, Look at all profiles under same folders. Some programs use Public profile to save data.

Copy, at minimum:
My Documents
Desktop
Downloads
My Pictures

To a New Folder on the other PC.
And I Mean Copy. Default is Copy x: to y: if you drag a folder etc. Do Not "Move" or "Cut" if you Right Click them or use whatever.

You may get "can't access errors..." You may need Window Admin powers to access them. WA will get an error but can just click to get access. When you do, often can take some time to change access list for everything in a large folder. Just wait for this to be done.
Windows Users may not get same "error" window.

If you can't find a file...
Try search on the old drive. Maybe X program use nonstandard folder(s). When find nonstandard folders, Copy the whole location not just a file.

Still can't find a file... Maybe is in "system folders" normally hidden to users w/o changing some "Folder Options" in Explorer under Organize/Folder and search options/view.
Most "Temp" and many folders are hidden this way.

If you Did enable BitLocker etc. you likely never get data back on another machine.
Whole point is to stop data sucking when machine/drive is stolen. Recovery Software Won't Help You Here.
BitLocker and some others use TPM hardware in the machine to store encryption keys. Even if you have password, need data stored in TPM you can't move. And many BitLocker users lost or didn't make a backup disk to save TPM data for BitLocker to use later.

Many to most Laptops Have TPM... Trusted Platform Module... and built into the system board. It maybe turned off in "BIOS" if not used. If Turn On, Don't Change the setting. Even if not using BitLocker, other things can use it too.
(Desktops may have them but most buyers don't want to spend money to add them.)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-12-2021).]