An interesting challenge... maybe.

My old computer broke down after my graphics card broke and eventually caused the startup files for the OS (Windows XP Pro) to corrupt and make the contents of the computer basically inaccessible. We tried re-installing the files by putting in a disc with the on and hacking into that bit where you can type in your own commands. But no... That was being an arse. So, it came to throwing it out.

I did however, save the hard drive (the stock one), because it had some rather precious data that hadn't been stored anywhere else on it, including many valuable compositions, ideas and a particular way of arranging my menus and folders I haven't been able to reproduce, or I suppose, remember.

I don't know how everything is on the hard drive. I dunno what else got corrupted, I'm thinking it may be limited to the System files as the graphics often caused system upsets and random restarts et cetere. And sometimes the odd random file needed to be erased because it was corrupted, instead of massive folders of stuff. What I would like to know is a way to SAFELY access it and see how everything is, and extract all the data if it's OK. Preferably to my new computer here. Can anyone help?

Eternal gratitude to those with solutions and suggestions,
- Callum.

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So you tried to re-install Windows XP but failed?

I don't really see what you're asking. If you want to access your data on there, which is probably corrupted. Wouldn't see a reason why not to. Just the HD up and see if you computer reads it.

Yeah, it's gots one of those 32-pin things, it's the stock HD as I said.

And well, if I latch it up to my new computer, then I won't be able to access it, because it doesn't have an OS.

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Hook that hard drive up to your new computer as a slave, and use it just for space, and you should be able to access every file on that hard drive, even tho its dual disc the main one will boot up and the slave(which is the one you installed) will still be accessible like every things on the master hard drive.

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OK, so I just find the right cable?

And I do I have to worry about corrupted files? Not so long as I don't touch them?

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scan everything before you open any documents or programs, your anti-virus software will quarantine the corrupted files

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have you tried a sledge hammer?

You don't need an OS on the HD to open the files on it. Or atleast I don't think you do. Just plug that bad boy up. And like 666 said, scan it first.

Sorry, graf's suggestion seems more feasible.

On a serious note, I was actually not thinking. I thought you meant just whacking out this new computer's one and getting in the old one. I wouldn't have anywhere to put the files.

So is it a case of finding the right cable, then? It's got one of those big, long connector things like on many stock HD's. Remember, this thing is bare technology, naked circuits and STAMP chips, not handy little USB sockets and shiny shells.

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Fide the cable that runs to your master hard drive. Ones you find it you should see that it not only has that one main connector but 2-3 more under it. You may have to go into system bias to set it up and make it slave but thats pretty simple.

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OK. Thanks a lot, guys.

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How did it go, where you able to save any of the files?

do not hook it straight into your computer!!!1 baaad

go to an electronics surplus store or something, and buy a "portable hard drive kit"

it will cost you under 10$, and will come with a box and a cable. Your harddrive will fit perfectly in the box, and then you will be able to use the cable (USB or Firewire depending on what you buy) to hook it up to your computer. Then it will be treated as an outboard drive and it will be harder for it to fuck up the shit on your good compooper.

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Haven't had a chance to hook it up yet, Requiem.

And now that the_bleeding here has suggested otherwise...

Do you think I could get these things online in Britain? Point somewhere (i.e. with a link) if you decide to look and see anything. I am gonna have a look myself.

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Ust do an internet search for the stuff and you should be able to find something. Or you can go to a computer store.
As for the thing with the cables, that all depends on what kind of cable your current HD is hooked up with. There are two types of connections primarily used for hard drives: IDE, (aka PATA), and SATA (serial ATA). SATA is the newer technology with the higher transfer speeds and smaller connectors. They are really easy to tell apart.

While your old HD is obviously IDE, I don't know what the new one is. The way you can tell this is by opening up your computer and seeing if your hard drive has a thin red cable with a small black connector plugged into it. If it does, it's a SATA. If it has one of thsoe really wide 32-pin cables, then it's IDE.

Your CD-ROM is probably connected via a IDE cable. If that is the case, then all you have to do is re-arrange the little plastic jumpers on the back of your old drive so it's a slave and hook it up to the cable that the CD is hooked up to. It's probably gonna have a free connector, but if it doesn't you can just unplug the CD-ROM and use that instead. Once you're done, you can plug the CD-ROM back in.

Anyway, back to the jumpers. On the back of your hard drive, (the old one), you will see a little white plastic thing that is inserted on some pins. That is a jumper. There are more pins around it. Above it, there is a diagram showing jumper configurations. You want to make yours a slave, so just follow the diagram, and put the jumper on the appropriate pins.

Once you've got the jumper where it needs to be, you can hook up the hard drive, start up your computer, and it should boot up from the new drive like normal, and allow you to transfer the files from the old one. The old hard drive should show up in your My Computer. If it doesn't, then you will need to go through your Control Panel and Add Hardware, and what not, but that's neither here nor there, and we can address that issue separately if it comes up. I don't want to confuse you right now by telling you about stuff that is currently irrelevant to the problem you're having.

Let us know how this all works out. The external enclosure idea is pretty good too, and is actually probably a simpler way to do it. Good luck.

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Thanks a lot, well I found out what you mean with the jumpers. Mine says: "No Jumper = DS (Slave)", so do I take off that wee plastic thing on 'CS Enabled'?

I think I might actually just go ahead with the external enclosure idea though. I want to avoid butchering the computer. I'll report back when I get it done.

- Callum.

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Well, after a close read of all your suggestions (which I should have done initially anyway ), I figured my HD is IDE, and that I am going ahead with the enclosure idea.

I am quite excited because some of the data on there is particularly valuable. Can't wait to go through it again.

http://www.storagedepot.co.uk/Enclo.../sc884/p79.aspx I plan on purchasing this one. Thoughts?

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Well, that enclosure there was an inch too short. But I got the right one, hooked it up right and looked around on it, got rid of two corrupted files (both of which were startup System files) and one giant Trojan (Zlob definition, to be specific, a backdoor one that basically tears you an asshole for a hacker to rape you through).

BUT!...

I came to access the documents and they say they are write-protected, and the folder for the old user comes up as empty, even when I do a localised scan on it. But when I did a scan of the whole HD, it came up with things inside the folder, you know E:/Documents and Settings/(User)/eghnaekhjnket, for example, and the folder don't add up to the space used on the hard drive, or the difference between the stated free space and total space. They are definitely there, they have no reason not to be when everything else is intact.

How do I get in?

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Done, now for what I believe is the final stage in this long and gruelling quest.

I am using XP Home I am quite sure, but I followed the advice in the forum and I have now got the User folder to share through using the Network Sharing Wizard or something like that. Although it said it couldn't create the "sharing resource" first time when I went back to the Sharing tab to check the boxes, it allowed me in, and second time I did it, it worked without bother and a little hand appeared under the folder icon. I presume this means it is in sharing mode.

I saw a set of folders therein including the treasured My Documents, I even did a local Norton scan and it came up with some rather important names, but apparently I need to share them individually too. Going to share them, it won't work. It says it can't create the sharing resource and no hand-thingie appears. What do I do now? I already have the sharing thing set up, I don't have to use the Wizard again. But it won't work! Aaaaaah! I even tried changing the share to the user name (which the user folder is shared under). But no.

AAAAAH!

EDIT: I think it is a case of me re-running the Wizard for each folder I want, am I right? If so, I can't find it.

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Come on, guys, help please.

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Sorry I don't understand what you're asking. Wouldn't recommend rephrasing the problemm, I don't know much about Home Networking and Sharing Folders.

I would suggest you to sign up on PCworld and ask for some help.

Yeah, true.

It's just that I have networked the user folder, but it says I have to share the subfolders. And it won't let me.

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This is going to sound simple and stupid but just remove a few files from the sub folder and place them in your My Documents. If those files actually transfer correctly follow and repeat. That is my only advice.

CAn't, as far as I know, it is completely writre-protected. I have no way to access them, as far as I know.

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I think I know what you need - I had this happen to me a few times before.

Follow these instructions carefully, and it should solve your problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

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