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mellomanpr
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April 10th, 2006 12:00
Retrieving data from bad hard drive
Hello all, I have a Dimension 8400 with Windows XP and it was determined that my hard drive is bad and needs to be replaced. However, there are many important files on this drive that I hadn't backed up yet, not to mention numerous pictures I would like to retrieve. Does anyone know how I can get these files from the hard drive and back them up to a disk or flash drive? I've heard that it can be done. The majority of the files are in the My Documents folder. Once I replace the hard drive, can I hook up the bad one to search for the files I need? Tech support said that my drive is bad because the computer cannot read the drive. When I ran the hard drive diagnostics it gave me a Return Code: 7 message. When starting the computer it only goes as far as the Windows logo screen. I can't get to the start menu. Thanks in advance for any help or info that anyone can provide.
shesagordie
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Posted April 10th, 2006 17:00
mellomanprIf the hard drive still spins, then you may be able to recover the data, by installing the drive as the secondary, after you have installed the new hard drive and transfer files.But, if the drive does not spin, then just about your only chance to recover the data, is to employ the services of a data recovery company and will be very expensive.Bev.blackhat_L2
83 Posts
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Posted April 10th, 2006 19:00
also you can try Parallel installation so that you can retrive your data from the hard drive. Please refer to the link below no how to do parallel reinstallation
Microsoft's Windows XP Home Parallel Install step by step
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdparallell/index.htm
Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Parallel Install step by step
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdparallell/index.htm
once you have done with the parallel installation click on start > my computer > local disk C: > documents and folder > and click on the users folder > click on my documents folder > you will find all the data there. on the keyboard press CTRL + A at the same time it will highlight all the files / folder / pictures > right click on anyone file / folder > select the send to option > and click on the cd drive and follow the on screen instruction to copy you data to your cd drive. once you have backedup everything to the cd i would suggest to reinstall the operating system to do that please follow the link below.
Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Install step by step
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdnewhdd/index.htm
Microsoft's Windows XP Home Install step by step
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdnewhdd/index.htm
good uck and god bless
blackhat_L2blackhat_L2
83 Posts
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Posted April 10th, 2006 19:00
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q304449
Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt
1.Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315222 ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/) A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP2.Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.3.
Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
mellomanpr
9 Posts
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Posted April 11th, 2006 14:00
Thanks for all the helpful info all of you. I'm printing this out for future reference. For some crazy reason my computer was able to start up last night. While it was running I backed up all my files onto disk. I'm debating on whether or not to still replace the hard drive though. I'm worried that it will just go bad again at a later date. It's still under warranty until August 2007, but I don't know how much longer this current hard drive will last considering the recent problems I've had with it. Any thoughts on whether or not I should still have it replaced? Is it possible for a bad hard drive to mess up any other components of my computer? Thanks again for your helpful responses. I appreciate it.GETTINGAGRO
16 Posts
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Posted April 11th, 2006 15:00
when you bought your computer it came with a driver disc....on that disk is a diagnostic program ....boot from cd and follow instructions...i would customize test..
check memory, processer, and hard drive ...it will tell you if your hard drive is messed up....if it is make dell hook you up.....i wish i was still under warrantee
GETTINGAGRO
16 Posts
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Posted April 10th, 2006 15:00
if i were you i would turn the computer on and tap the f8 key until you have options
choose safe mode....hope that your computer opens in safe mode......if it does it will ask you if you wanna use a restore point or safe mode; use safe mode .....have an external hard drive pluged in to your system....drag and drop folders...
if you dont have an external hard drive you could start burnin dvds or cds but i dont know if those programs for burnin will work in safe mode....
good luck
if that works or doesnt post your results