My old computer with all my short stories and such on it stopped living?
I knew this would happen. It's old... And slow. We didn't have it connected to the internet anymore, I just used it for Microsoft Word as it was the only computer in the house that had it and it's so much better to type on than Word Starter or OpenOffice or Kingsoft. Anyway. I had been meaning to take all of my stories and writings... everything I have ever finished or started on and not finished...all my work... and put it on my new laptop, but I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I posted some of these documents online and transferred a few to the family computer, but all the rest is exclusively on the old computer system.
The other day the electricity went out upstairs for the second or third time and when we got it back on the old computer just wouldn't turn on no matter what I did. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that it's probably never going to be totally usable again (which sucks, it's the only thing in the house with a decent writing system and I'm so used to Microsoft Word), but I just really really need to get those documents off of there. I heard that you can take out the hard drive and access the stored files/memory/whatever somehow but I have NO CLUE how to do this. I need those documents.
What are my options? What other things can I try?? Any help is appreciated.
[ RIP Old Upstairs Computer ]
Update:Okay. Thanks all.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Your HD probably did not die. You can easily and cheaply get your files using an inexpensive adapter and a second computer. Most large computer stores will have this or a similar adapter.
Remove the hard drive from the damaged computer and using the adapter connect it to the second computer via USB connection. The second computer will be able to read the drive and you can move files to a thumb drive or other location.
If all alternate attempts fail, & you've got a lot of valuable files that must be recovered, have a look @ 'SpinRite' from GRC.
Recovers data & fixes HDD errors; disk maintenance; checks cable interfaces; many deep disk checks; etc.
Self contained DOS, so functioning OS not required.
Run it once per month or so to keep the HDD at peak mechanical performance.
About $90 US;
30-day, money back guarantee: no questions asked.
Excellent tech support from English speaking Americans.
How many software items have you seen with that?
THE industry standard.
Google for reviews.
Well worth the money.
https://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm
or
https://www.grc.com/sr/testimonials.htm
If you decide to give this a try, read the help files on what modes do what, cause it can be a tad confusing. Whatever 'mode' you select, don't be impatient: this works slowly, but methodically, and just may pull your drive (or data) back from the brink of doom.
For older systems, make sure to have plenty of ventilation in the tower as it puts extra demand on the drive mechanics, causing elevated heat in the drive.
Correction:
"SpinRite v6.0 recognizes and operates on ALL file systems. It can even be used to repair and recover Apple Macintosh and Tivo hard drives by temporarily moving them into an Intel-based PC. It can also be used to check the health of drives that have not yet been formatted.
SpinRite v6.0 brings along and automatically boots a copy of the FreeDOS operating system, so it will run even if you have no "DOS". It can create bootable diskettes, CD‑R's, USB Flash drives and other media."
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It's a dwonload from the site @ https://www.grc.com/cs/prepurch.htm
Very small (in "assembly language") size.
Download on a working machine> Put the "iSO" file onto a CD or flash drive> insert on the malfunctioning machine> turn that one on. (The BIOS must be set to 'boot' that device first).
Follow prompts.
It may take a while (some systems require 5 minutes...some 5 days), but just let it run. It will notify when it's done your selected chore.
Hi Felecia
The fact that your old pc will not turn on does not mean that your files have been lost.
The power supply is probably damaged. The files on your hard disk should be fine.
Even if your pc is damaged beyond compensatory repair, the disk can always be installed on another system in order to back up your files. (Bear in mind that a total meltdown is also possible, where all components are damaged).
If you are not at ease with pc repair, I would suggest taking it in, where qualified personnel can ascertain the damage & recover your info.
Good luck..
Yes. Removing the Hard Disk and retrieving files is the only way out if the PC isn't booting. Be quick. Taking that your computer is very old, the Hard Disk too is in the danger of dying out. How do you do it? As far as I am concerned, doing itself isn't the best idea. Trust me, you'll end up messing it up. Call a local professional and have it done.
Computer keeps saying no bootable device