Retrieving files

[Karnevil9]

Some one gave me an office computer that has crashed. They said it kept running slower and slower until it just died. It is a gateway 2000 desktop, built in 98. I didn't get the operating system from him yet but I am assuming for the moment it wasn't upgraded and is running windows 98. All he wants from it is to be ablew to get his files off the hardrive. Since it is an office computer, he is not interested in fixing it since it will just be turned back in for exchange.

I told him I would look at it, but never having done this I was wondering if you could advise me what I would need to do to get files off of an old hardrive. I have a computer that I can put his hardrive into either as slave or master or whatever. I am of course assuming this is possible to do.

[james8547]

It might not be possible. The PC was built in 98. Usually HDs last only for around 5 years. The drive might have had a physical failure. I'd check if I can get to DOS and then transfer the files from there.

[Force Flow]

Try connecting it as a slave drive in another PC. See what you get from there.

I've had HDD's that have lasted more than 5 years, and some less than 2 months. It depends on a lot of things really.

General rule of thumb is 3 years, from what I've heard.

[Karnevil9]

I have hard drives that lasted for longer myself. If the hard drive has failed then he is out of luck, but if it is still operational, I need to know the method to get to the files and transfer them.

This is a job I am going to do as my free time permits, so I may not be able to return to post a progress update each day. I intend to print out the responses I get and use them as guidence. So please don't feel that I am being rude if I don't reply back immediately.

[Panama Red]

I just did this last weekend with a dying hdd from a Gateway 2000 from 1994. Just install the suspect hdd in another comp as slave (or both set to CS). I used an XP machine. It will show the new drive in My Computer if it's working. Then just click on the new drive, avoid all the Windows files, and just retrieve the data you want from the other folders by copying or moving them to a separate folder on your primary (master) hdd. Worked for me and both hdd's I extracted data from were 95 and 98fe. The 95 was bearing rattling and due to die at any minute, but I got it all.

[Force Flow]

If it does end up dying before all the data is transferred (or you discover it is dead even before you start the transfer), you can use the "freezer trick" as a last resort.

[Karnevil9]

Ahhhh. What is the "freezer Trick"


PanamaRed, Thanks. I was hoping it was something as simple as that to do. I hope it goes as well as your did.

[johnfulford]

I have yet to run into a hard drive that has not been accepted by my xp setup as a slave. piggy back it after setting the jumpers and off you go. may need to reboot after first boot but that's it.

[glc]

Freezer trick is used when the controller chips overheat on the drive - this was a common failure on Quantum Fireball drives. Put the drive in a Ziplock bag and toss it in the freezer for an hour then remove it and hook it up. All it does is buy you some time. The clue that you may need to do this is clanking noises from the drive when accessed and evidence of burned chips on the controller board.

[Karnevil9]

No noises from the drive and no evidence of any burnt chips, so hopefully the drive is OK. I am thinking the crash may be faulty ram. It has three ram chips on it and It behaved the same way as my other computer did when it had a ram chip not properly seated. No beeps, black monitor screen, yet all the fans on the mobo and cpu would spin. Niether here nor there though, since it is not a personal computer of his and will be returned for replacement. I may check it out though just to add to my own experience when I get time.

[Karnevil9]

Success! Thanks everyone. It was as easy as you described. I had to boot a few times as Johnfulford mentioned but other than that it was a snap. Thanks again.

[Panama Red]

Good news, K9! Maybe try reformatting that old drive and see if still works. Whatever brand it is, download the manufacturers diagnostic software and test it. Might just have yourself a spare. Or sell and make a buck.

[Karnevil9]

I would except it is only a 4.5 gig, but thanks for the idea.