best solution to retreive hard drive...

[fuel tanker man]

I have an old HP Pavilion 580 that the processor crashed (at least that what it seems like)... The fan broke and I didn't realize it, and it apparently overheated and froze... then on re-boot it won't even get to a blue screen. I think the hard drive is probably still good.

What would be the best way for me to get my photos and other data off that hard drive? Maybe find a junk Pavilion and rob the processor? Or is there some way to remove the hard drive and USB it to my new computer and download stuff from it?

Any help appreciated. I'm a truck driver... not a computer guru.

Dan

 

[OVERKILL]

You can get an external enclosure to put the drive in and hook it up to your new PC.

 

[fuel tanker man]

How can I find out which enclosure I would need?

 

[OVERKILL]

How old is the HP? You could pull the old drive out. If it has 40 pins that the cable plugs into, then you need the IDE enclosure. if it has two, small and flat cables that plug into it, then you'll need the SATA enclosure.

 

[fuel tanker man]

10-4... I'll check.

Dan

 

[defektes]

you may also be able to find replacement CPUs on Ebay for a few bucks too.

 

[ZZman]

When you buy a new computer just pop that drive in it as a second/backup hard drive.

Or have a friend pop it into his computer and then copy your info to CD/DVD or flash drive.

 

[KrisZ]

Enclosure is your best bet, as you can buy them really cheap and you will have a back up drive that can be used on any computer witha a USB connection.

 

[Volvohead]

SATA, $20:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182155

Pop in the old drive, and it should be readable on any machine.

That's the easiest solution, but not the cheapest.

At least you can use it as a local backup drive for the next machine.

 

[punisher]

Let me suggest : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...2-002-_-Product

A lot more adaptable and not limited by enclosure etc. I have 2 of these and I have no complaints.

 

[punisher]

.......or this one, which has also worked well for me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156017

 

[eljefino]

More than likely you have the old IDE with ribbon cables. While you can have two to a controller you may have to mess with "master/slave". Usually your host computer's CDROM is on its own channel, you can borrow its cable and power long enough to copy your data off. Don't even need to put the case on while you work.

 

[fuel tanker man]

great suggestions, all...

It looks like I've got a SATA and I'll probably go on and order an enclosure, because as was mentioned I will be able to use it on other computers if need be.

Thanks again to all.

Dan