My Dads Computer Crashed! How can I retrieve files?
John W asked:
Hi, Yesterday my dads computer crashed.
There looks to be only one way to get it normal again… Re-format it. If I do have to do this it is ok but he has some important files on it that he needs for his work.
Is there firstly anyway to completely restore the computer and its files and not have to re-format it?
or
Is there a way to extract files from the computer before I re-format?
hey MD z would Ubuntu work as linux? Do you know a guide about how to do this?
when i tried booting ubuntu 6.6.1 from a live cd it couldn’t access windows? Can I access windows in ubuntu live cd? how?
Tags: Computer Files, Hey, Linux, Restore Files
March 4th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Buy a new hard drive from the store and put it in the computer as the master drive and make the drive that was existing a slave drive. this will allow you to install windows on the new drive as c: and when windows is all insalled you will be able to access the old drive as d:
March 6th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
One should always make back up files about once a week or if you downloaded something recently. Hope you have GO BACK or something like that. This works 90% of the time!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:21 am
1. method is run the system on basic function as using command prompt. Use window 98 or simply dos. use a floppy drive and copy the file into it. If u know how to use dos.
2. Take the Harddisk and insert to a good pc system either as external hardisk (ps: u need to buy a external case to make it a external harddisk!). or insert as secondary drive in another pc system. Then copy out the data.
3. Install linux OS on top of the original windows. As linux program can read windows program. Copy and make the backup for your files.
*Linux Os wont overwrite the windows file.*
Gud luck…
ps: this are the basic 3 way carefull not to spoil the harddisk while removing it. some damage maybe unrepairable.
March 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Best suggestion is to download Knoppix (linux live cd) and burn to cd, then place in the computer (make sure the bios is set to boot from cd) and turn on your machine. You will then boot to knoppix and your drive should be automatically mounted. You can then access the files as normal, and send them to another computer for backup.
This will work only if the hard drive is able to be powered up.
If you have any additional questions feel free to post.
Good luck
Update: ubuntu is a great linux distro. Just make sure you boot via the live cd and not install the OS (overwriting the data)
You’re not accessing “windows” you’re accessing the hard drive which should be listed as an icon on the desktop. Here is a tutorial on how to mount a drive if the drive did not automount. You will need to know where your information is located on the drive (ie. filestructure) but that’s easy.
March 15th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Get a USB Drive bay and use your computer to retrieve the contents