Need help from the experts...

[Mloot]

Short story:

1. Wife's laptop crashed, can't boot back into Windows because of missing or corrupt files. 2 years of geneology data is on laptop. I can only get into BIOS and to the "C" prompt.

2. Is there a way for I can transfer the data files from the laptop's HDD to my desktop (using an ethernet cable or otherwise) before they are wiped by re-installing Windows on the laptop?


TIA for any help you guys can give me.

 

[shoRunner]

pull out drive, get a converter for the 2.5" drive to allow it to use a regular IDE cable and hook it up to your main pc. or get a usb converter for the drive to plug it into USB. or take it to your local repair shop (Best Buy, Fry's...etc) and have them do it for you.

link for usb enclosure

 

[theMan]

i dont think you can use ethernet, but if you reinstall windows, it wont wipe anything. just make sure that during setup, you dont format it. just keep the original formatting.

 

[MustISO]

You can get an adapter to use the laptops drive in your PC.

You could use laplink if you can install it at the C: prompt and move files that way.

You could get the correct network drivers and protocols onto a floppy disk and make an image of the laptop drive using the PC as a host. Something like Ghost or TruImage should work.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: theman
i dont think you can use ethernet, but if you reinstall windows, it wont wipe anything. just make sure that during setup, you dont format it. just keep the original formatting.

easiest / free solution is right here, provided you have a windows install disk.

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: NiKeFiDO

Originally posted by: theman
i dont think you can use ethernet, but if you reinstall windows, it wont wipe anything. just make sure that during setup, you dont format it. just keep the original formatting.

easiest / free solution is right here, provided you have a windows install disk.

Unfortunately, the laptop only came with a Windows recovery disk set, which, if I'm not mistaken, isn't the same as a true install disk.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

 

[lansalot]

Download and boot knoppix. Start it up and use it to network the files over to your desktop machine.

 

[LBmtb]

Originally posted by: lansalot
Download and boot knoppix. Start it up and use it to network the files over to your desktop machine.

I was just about to suggest this also. You can download it here: http://linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=44

It's a 'live' linux that boots right off the cd.

Also see this http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Rescue_FAQ or google for 'rescue knoppix' and you'll find plenty of information.

Good luck.

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: LBmtb

Originally posted by: lansalot
Download and boot knoppix. Start it up and use it to network the files over to your desktop machine.

I was just about to suggest this also. You can download it here: http://linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=44

It's a 'live' linux that boots right off the cd.

Also see this http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Rescue_FAQ or google for 'rescue knoppix' and you'll find plenty of information.

Good luck.

Coolness. 🙂 This sounds like it might be the best option for me at the moment. I'll give it a go tomorrow morning. Thanks a bunch.