Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Computers and Peripherals : How to access laptop hard disk?

[John D]

Hey,
I dropped my laptop and I have some files I was using that day that I really need to get, but I can't get the laptop to start up.

I would leave the laptop in to get fixed but I really need the files today.

Is there any way I can access it without the laptop itself working?

Thanks

[frankiee]

Remove it from the laptop (make sure you know how), buy a 2.5" Enclosure with USB 2.0 or Firewire and plug it into any computer.

[ThatScriptGuy]

Either that or remove it, and buy a PC IDE cable with a laptop connection on it. (cheaper)

Kevin

[AvailNetworks]

you need one of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-HQ-2-5...QQcmdZViewItem

[The Prohacker]

Originally Posted by AvailNetworks

you need one of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-HQ-2-5...QQcmdZViewItem

Normally if all I'm doing is grabbing data and the drive won't be mounted permanently. I don't like going to 2.5"->3.5" route. I have a IDE->USB adapter, much like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812205001

Although this one is tempting (SATA&IDE):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156017

[frankiee]

I personally don't like the 2.5 -> 3.5 either. But for kvnband's comment, true that before a USB enclosure might have been more expensive, but that is no longer the case. A 2.5-3.5 adapter costs around $10-15, whereas a USB Enclosure is in the same range. As proof:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145368 , for $9.49

And a USB Enclosure is a lot more flexible as well.

[AvailNetworks]

Originally Posted by The Prohacker

Normally if all I'm doing is grabbing data and the drive won't be mounted permanently. I don't like going to 2.5"->3.5" route. I have a IDE->USB adapter, much like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812205001

Although this one is tempting (SATA&IDE):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156017

wow that last one is a nice product indeed. I put it on auto notify, I definately need one of those. I have been using the same raggety adapter for years to grab 2.5hdd's data

thanks for the product info update

[galactic77]

Here is one you can put inside your computer. We use these at the shop all the time and it works great.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108&cat=CBL