1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Computer motherboard died ... disc recov?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Wiry, 2005/09/17.

  1. 2005/09/17
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    My compaq computer screen went gray and computer won't boot up. Compaq says that's usually a motherboard. says that I can probably recover the disc (all my itunes) and my question is can I buy some kind of attachment so I can access the compaq hd from one of my other computers? Or do I have to take it somewhere.

    Thanks
     
    Wiry,
    #1
  2. 2005/09/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    You don't say if the hard drive in question is from a desktop or a laptop.

    If it is from a desktop jumper the drive as Slave and install on one of your other (desktop) computers as a slave and copy your data over.

    If it is from a laptop you will need a 3 1/2" to 2 1/2 " cable converter like this to install the drive in a desktop.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2005/09/17
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    TonyT,
    #3
  5. 2005/09/18
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    You guys are the best!!! I ordered the cable. Now I just have to figure out how to install the drive as a slave. Does the drive stay outside of the computer? Should I have someone do it for me on one of my networked computers or can I do it myself? Will the second drive hurt my regular computer's operating system? Or will the files just show up. I haven't done this particular task before but think it would be great to know how to do this.

    Thanks again.
     
    Wiry,
    #4
  6. 2005/09/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Would help to know which cable you ordered before answering fully.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2005/09/18
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    The one your link came up on. Wasn't that the one I was supposed to order with a laptop?
     
    Wiry,
    #6
  8. 2005/09/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Not sure which of the two options you had taken ....

    I have annotated the diagram from the manufacturer's site. You will need to open upthe case of one of your other (desktop) computers and connect the drive to either the primary (goes to hard drive) or secondary IDE ribbon cables. If you have a single hard drive or optical drive there should be a spare connector on the ribbon cable. If not you will have to disconnect the drive connected part way down the cable and make the connection there. No need to fix the drive in - just support it temporarily.

    I think you can set jumpers on the laptop hard drive to slave. When you reboot Windows should see the drive and you can copy the data on it across to the PC's hard drive. It will not affect the OS on the PC.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2005/09/18
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks, Pete ... this is great information. I really appreciate it.
    I'll let you know how I do.
     
    Wiry,
    #8
  10. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    I received the cable, removed the drive from the laptop and have connected the cable to the laptop drive. Now I am addressing the "set it to be a slave "
    part. The drive itself hasno jumpers on it ... But it had a picture of two jumpers darkened. 1. Does that mean that those are the pins that need jumpers if you are to use it as a slave drive? 2. If I try it without jumpers, will it hurt my desktop harddrive? 3. Do I need to change the bios settings of my desktop? If so, to what?

    4. also, the case that came with it doesn't fit the drive. It's way too big. can I let the drive float inside as long as it's not touching anything?

    Thanks
     
    Wiry,
    #9
  11. 2005/09/23
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Can you post the make and model no. of the drive? This page from Hitachi shows the general arrangement of jumpers for that particular drive - given your make and model hopefully the relevant diagram is available somewhere.
    No, but that will be the setting for Master and is unlikely to show up on your desktop.
    No, once jumpered as slave the bios should pick it up.
    I recall that the case/tray shown in the illustration was to enable fitting into a 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 deive bay. Just support the drive on a piece of cardboard with the circuit board. if visible upwards.
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    The model # of the Hitachi Travelstar drive is #IC25NO60ATMR04-0. I'll go to the site you gave me and check it out.
     
    Wiry,
    #11
  13. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    Additional question ... I got a little jumper thing ... one side has fat holes and one side has little pin holes. Does it matter which goes down?
     
    Wiry,
    #12
  14. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think the dark holes on the drive indicated how not to attach the jumper.
     
    Wiry,
    #13
  15. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    Found the page. Thanks again, Pete. You are always there when there is no hope anywhere else. I will try this tomorrow or the next day and let you know how it works.

    Wiry
     
    Wiry,
    #14
  16. 2005/09/23
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am using the little holes on the jumper switch because the big ones wobble around.
     
    Wiry,
    #15
  17. 2005/09/23
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Depends on the design - those that I have in my box have an external groove at the outer end to facilitate removal. I would think the little pin holes - I think you will find that the jumper will only fit one way - should slide on easily. So long as the two pins over which it fits are shorted out it will be OK.

    Edit - see you have resolved the issue :)
     
    PeteC,
    #16
  18. 2005/09/24
    Wiry Lifetime Subscription

    Wiry Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dear Pete: This is to tell you how grateful I am to you. Everything worked!
    I had one little snafu. When I got the desktop computer open I realized there wasn't an available drive cable. Then I remembered that one of the drives was an old zip drive that I never use anymore. (Remember those?)
    Anyway, I disconnected the cables from that drive and attached them to the new drive and waa laa (sp?) it worked. I now have my drive from my destroyed laptop up and running as a slave on my desktop which is connected to my laptop via my home network which means that I can retrieve it all at will. Now I just have to figure out how to move the i-tunes and i-pod files so they read. I will try their support desk.

    One little thing that I should mention in case that anyone else tries this. When the laptop drive comes out, it has an attachment on it that makes it connect to the laptop. This had to be gently removed on my drive before it would connect to the cable converter. Just thought I would mention it because at first I thought it wouldn't work.

    Anyway, I don't know what I would do without you.

    Wiry
     
    Wiry,
    #17
  19. 2005/09/24
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Wiry

    Delighted to hear that you have access to your laptop data and that everything went relatively smoothly :)

    Afraid I can't help you with i-tunes and i-pods - that technology is way beyond me :D and, yes, I do remember Zip drives and have a couple stashed away somewhere.
     
    PeteC,
    #18

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...