Primary HD -> Second Computer to Access Files?

[PianoMan]

Hey all,

Heading to the beach with the family for a few hours before the big game today. This morning, the computer did the not-unfamiliar "no post, nothing" routine. Unplugged everything down to the bare minimum and did a CMOS reset - still nothing. It's the Main Rig system in my sig below.

I'm due for an upgrade, so this might be the catalyst to do so. Question is, can a put the C: drive into another computer an access the files (even the ones in "My Documents")? I remember having an issue a few years back, but also remember being able to access the "My Docs" without a problem on another machine. I iust need to transfer them so I can reformat (possibly with Vista). I was wondering whether to put it in as an additional drive in the second computer, or just swap the primary and boot into Safe Mode. Will either of that work?

If not, I really need to access the files (and yep, I fell behind in my backups - luck would have it that the comp would die), so I may just replace the mobo and/or PSU, once I figure out which is the problem.

Any quick answers would be appreciated. TIA!

PM

 

[imported_nunya]

HERE is how to take ownership of the files if you have trouble accessing them on the new comp.

 

[PianoMan]

K, I'll try that. It'll be a quick check to transfer the boot HD to the secondary, and see if I can get access. Thanks!

PM

 

[PianoMan]

Swapped the HD into the second computer, and I can access the files, no problem at all.

Wonder what happened way back when I couldn't do the same after I upgraded hard drives. I had attached the old HD as a slave and tried to read the old files and couldn't. I ended up swapping back to the old one, booting up, transferring all the files I needed to an external USB, swapping back, and then transferred the files into the new HD.

Hmmph. Probably just screwed something up. Thx for the link, nunya, I'm filing that one away for future reference.

PM