How can I retrive information safely off of a hard drive from a crashed computer?

Q. A Little while ago my Emachines T2642 crashed. Im only interested in knowing how to collect data from its undamaged hard drive. Please Help

A. The hard drive has the shortest life expectancy of all components, but when it inevitably fails it's always when you least expect it.

It's an inevitability, and it always happens when you're least prepared - the hard drive crash. Sure, you might notice it's taking a bit longer to boot, or there's an occasional click that just doesn't sound right, but it's still a surprise the day your computer fails to boot.

How do you get your data off that hard drive once it's no longer able to boot? Is it still possible? This depends on what exactly went wrong with your drive. It is safe to assume, however, that will the proper method, you will be able to retrieve at least part of your lost data.

Below are five different methods for getting documents, pictures, and other important files off a crashed hard drive.
1. Use an External Case

This method is the most simple available, and for many people it is also the solution they need. Simply purchase an external hard drive case that allows you to plug your hard drive into a computer with a standard USB cable. Remove the crashed hard drive from your computer and carefully insert it into the external case (make sure you ground yourself before touching it), then plug it into a different system and try to open the drive. There's a good chance you'll be able to navigate into your documents and other folders and copy them onto a different hard drive.

2. Use a LiveCD
Don't have access to a second computer for doing as you please? This method will be ideal, then. You'll need to get temporary access to a computer with Internet and a DVD burner. Download a Linux LiveCD - Damn Small Linux is the smallest, but also has issues mounting hard drives. The most simple for an average computer user would be Puppy Linux. It has a larger file size, but should recognize your drive.

Burn the Live CD ISO to a CD and insert it into your computer (the one with the crashed hard drive). Restart the computer and when it the computer logo appears, press F2 (or whatever key for your system) to enter BIOS. Change the boot sequence to CD first, Save and then Exit.

The Live CD will start, simply follow the directions on the screen--don't worry, nothing is being done to your hard drive. The OS will start, and you should see your hard drive mounted on the desktop--something like "60GB", etc. Plug in a second drive and copy and paste the folders over.

3. Data Recovery Software

Do the above solutions have your head spinning? If you want something a little less complicated, you may want to give recovery software a go. There are a number of different free recovery tools available, and you may be one of the lucky users who have success with the programs.

There are a large number of programs available, but the quality of each varies. A good place to start would be Data Disc Recovery--it's free, easy to use, and works on crashed drives (it can also retrieve deleted files and others). If one doesn't work, try a different one.

4. Freeze It
his method surprises many, but it actually does work (depending on what happened to the drive). The idea is that freezing it will constrict loose parts long enough for the drive to work properly. Make sure you have a computer ready to plug the drive into and an external case. Place the hard drive into a baggy, seal it tightly, and put it in the freezer overnight. The next day, remove it from the baggy and put it in the external drive case. Transfer the data from the drive before it warms too much and crashes again.

5. Get a Pro

If all else fails, you either have to accept that the data is gone or, if the data is really important, take the hard drive to a professional. It will be expensive, but there's a good chance a pro will be able to retrieve some of the data for you.

http://laptoplogic.com/resources/5-ways-to-retrieve-data-off-a-crashed-hard-drive


Retrieve Information on a crashed Hard Drive
http://recover-deleted-files-africa.blogspot.com/2009/03/retrieve-information-on-crashed-hard.html


Data Disc Recovery (Software)

Data Disc Recovery is a free hard drive recovery software made available by DAGsoft, it can efficiently scan and recover data from crashed hard disk data in FAT and NTFS format. Besides standard hard disk file recovery data, DDR can also:

* Recover data lost by �shift - delete� on FAT partitions
* Recover any data fragments from drive
* Search drive through many criterion
* Searching data directly on HDD, for example scanning free clusters in search for our file

Download Data Disc Recovery (version: 0.9.9.10)


PC Inspector File Recovery (Software)

PC Inspector file recovery is a hard drive data recovery software, if DDR failed in recovering your hard drive data, do give PC Inspector a try before you pay for a shareware, some of the key features of this free hard drive crash data recovery tool:

* Works even if the boot sector or FAT has been erased
* The free hard


How can i upgrade my computer to windows 2000?
Q. i have windows 98 and i want to upgrade to windows 2000 for free. is their something i can download to do that? and is it easy?

A. Today, Microsoft will not allow you to install an operating system without it being registered!

Too, why would you want WIN2000, Microsoft support for that OS is dying?

Here are major issues that you should consider doing any thing to your present computer!

DO not take out WIN 98! Your system is running, do not change that!

To change you MUST have 1GB of RAM!
READ your MOTHERBOARD USERS GUIDE!

RAM is cheap, Make sure you have 1GB of RAM and buy a second hard drive for any NEW Operating System that you want to install.

Computer Help Page

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/
http://www.paraglidernc.com/ http://www.bootcd.us/

VISTA Upgrade or Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
http://www.maximumsoftwaresupport.com
PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- �So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?�
Chapter 13: What�s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4007.html
http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/
http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/...
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-100459...
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/...
http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co...

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com

A Good PC Cleaner

http://www.pc-error-cleaner.com/?gclid=COzW8YTD0ogCFRL1YgodAD0pbg

NTFS Boot Disk:

http://www.ntfs.com/boot_disk_includes.htm

To place Active@ KillDisk Pro onto a floppy disk type the following at the command prompt:
COPY G:\KILLDISK.EXE A:
COPY G:\DOS4GW.EXE A:
The above assumes that the G:\ drive is the bootable CD-ROM drive and the A:\ drive is the floppy disk drive.
DOS4GW.EXE is a required file for Active@ KillDisk, Active@ UNERASER and Active@ Disk Image.

http://www.download.com/BartPE-Bootable-Live-Windows-CD-DVD/3000-2094_4-10611130.html


How to reinstall the os system for Lenovo?
Q. Lenovo - its os system cursed.
the laptop is only one year old.
now it only show "please wait while the connection is beeing establish"



1. How to reinstall the os system?
I will use linux, since it is free


2. how to recover the files I saved


3. is lenovo a joke. it shows "please wait while the connection is beeing establish"
it should be being.

A. It may be time to do a factory reset to defaults. Save all data you want to save by preparing this bootable CD:
http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

Boot from the CD and run the Mini Windows XP that is in it. Open Windows Explorer and save everything you need to a flash drive or external hard drive.

After backing up your data, proceed with the factory reset.

Lenovo & IBM Thinkpad Laptop Factory Reset Instructions:
==========================================
1. Turn Off Computer.
2. Press the check button above the power switch marked with an arched arrow. The computer turns on in �OneKey Recovery System� mode.
3. Select �Restore to Factory Default� by the arrow buttons and hit �Enter.� The computer erases all the information on the C: drive, replacing it with factory default data stored in a hidden disk partition. The process takes longer if you have a large amount of data on your hard disk.

To access pre-boot service partition to recover your software:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70803.html

To get a Product Recovery CD or DVD:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...7HWZ#partition

* F1 or F10 to access BIOS (For older models: F2)
* For Lenovo models: Ctrl+Alt+F3, Ctrl+Alt+Ins, or Fn+F1


What do you need to run a web server or a website of your computer?
Q. I want to know what you need to run a web server or website off of a computer and how to set one up. I don't wnat anything extreme just a basic web or website (I don't know proper terminology) server.

A. Any computer, add more hard drives for space,
server software, and max out the RAM that the motherboard will support!

If you talk performance, it is still the same things just more of it.

Better server = larger case that supports over eight hard drives, motherboard that supports dual/quad/2 or 4 CPUs. Redundant power supply. Cooling fans to keep inside of case cool.

Your software: Operating System = Server Software, Web creation software, application software, router, two network cards, Back up server - so, where do you want to go, it is up to your pocket book.

Go to www,Microsoft.com the training site.

Computer Help Page

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/
http://www.paraglidernc.com/ http://www.bootcd.us/

VISTA Upgrade or Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
http://www.maximumsoftwaresupport.com
PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- �So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?�
Chapter 13: What�s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4007.html
http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/
http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/...
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-100459...
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/...
http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co...

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com

A Good PC Cleaner

http://www.pc-error-cleaner.com/?gclid=COzW8YTD0ogCFRL1YgodAD0pbg

NTFS Boot Disk:

http://www.ntfs.com/boot_disk_includes.htm

To place Active@ KillDisk Pro onto a floppy disk type the following at the command prompt:
COPY G:\KILLDISK.EXE A:
COPY G:\DOS4GW.EXE A:
The above assumes that the G:\ drive is the bootable CD-ROM drive and the A:\ drive is the floppy disk drive.
DOS4GW.EXE is a required file for Active@ KillDisk, Active@ UNERASER and Active@ Disk Image.

http://www.download.com/BartPE-Bootable-Live-Windows-CD-DVD/3000-2094_4-10611130.html





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