Resolved How to get data from dead computer

I have a Dell laptop, Inspiron E 1505 with XP, service pack 3. A glass of regular Pepsi was spilled in the keyboard, it worked fine for a week and then it died. My question is, is there any way I can retrieve any of my data? i work from home and should have backed up while it was working. Thanks for any help.

Dee

 

The simplest way for me:

- remove laptop hard drive, drop it to an enclosure
- live linux distro on another computer
- plug in the hard drive and mount it (if it doesn't automatically)
- save your files to another external drive, just drag and drop

This only works if you're trying to back up and save files. If you're trying to do OS recovery, or save settings and profiles for certain programs... that's currently beyond my ken.

(Also: diet pepsi would have kept your computer running longer, cause it's diet. )

 

First off, I assume no responsibility for your outcome if you try any of these techniques. These are techniques I have used in situations where I was the owner of the laptop and I figured there was nothing to lose. They just happened to work in my situation.

I have done this from time to time: I've removed the keyboard from the laptop and replaced it with a new/used one but not before first trying the technique of washing the gummed-up board in the kitchen sink with mild dish-washing liquid and warm water. I then blow it dry with 100-pound air pressure and place it inside a central air vent for two days.

There was nothing to lose because it was gummed up anyway and laptop keyboards are relatively cheap. I just bought one for a Dell Inspiron 1105 on ebay for $10.99. It arrived today and it works fine.

However, so as not to waste money on a system that will not boot, I would not buy the keyboard before getting the laptop to boot. The on/off switch may be stuck as well and it is usually soldered into the board. I recommend professional help for this or at least advice from someone who has experience cleaning one of these.

Personally, I have removed the main board and all removable parts from it, cleaned its switch with warm water, put it in the same air vent (as above) for the same two days and then reassembled the system. It worked. The nicest part about all this was that I got the laptop with the stuck switch for only $30 and later sold it for (to the best of my memory) about $250.

I have found all of the assembly/disassembly instructions for the laptops I've worked on through Google.

 

You, sir, have proved your awesome.

Having no conept of air pressure... where does one find a vent with 100 lbs of air pressue in it? And, if you don't have that air pressure, how long would you allow components like that to dry before attempting to install them again?

 

You misunderstand. The 100-pound air pressure I use to blow the (excess) water out is from an air compressor of the type one would use to inflate a tire or run a nail gun or other pneumatic tools.

The air vent is one in my home. I simply remove the register, drop in the keyboard and leave it there a few days--at least two.

If you don't have an air compressor capable of 100 pounds, just give it an extra day in the vent.

 

Another note to stress one part of the procedure. Rinse thoroughly with warm water--thoroughly. Be sure you get ALL the soap out.

 

Thanks guys for all yoir suggistions. I have a couple external hard drives and the air thingy. Thr only thing that concerns ne is taking apart my lqptop, my dqugter has warned me many times about taaking apart my laptop. I guess
can chalk it up as a learning experience.

 

I'm retired and I run a small service and support business, mostly for pocket money and just to be occupied. If you get to the point that you want to discard the laptop or just decide to store (and eventually forget) it indefinitely as I've seen some do, don't.

My bet is that the on/off switch is stuck. If you're willing to send it to me, I'll give it a shot and return it within a few days. You just pay the shipping.

I am aware you don't know me from Adam so the only thing I can offer as a reference is to do a Google for "Alex Ethridge" (with quotes) and you'll see I've been around quite a while posting in various boards.

You can also check out my e-bay record by doing an advanced search for alexethridge. I have very few sales/buys; but, it goes back several years.

If you decide on this option, send a mail to AlexZEthridge@ZChaZrterZ.net.

For obvious reasons I don't post the exact address so remove the remove all the Z's and you have it.

 

BTW, there's another Alex Ethridge, I think in Texas. I'm the one in Birmingham, Alabama and I think any Alex Ethridge you find in social networking sites will not be me.

 

How kind of you Alex for the offer. I don't know whether the computer is worth saving, all
usb ports are out of order, the bottom left corner of the monitor is broken and needs a new hinge. In spite of all this I love this computer. Tell me if you think it's worth fixing.
thanks for the off

Dee

 

Shipping two ways will probably be under $30, depending on cost of packaging, so its up to you. But, with all that's out of order and broken, it might be time for a new or newer used one.

 

Let me think about it, I do need the data out it ASAP. I have had a laptop in a shop here 5 weeks and have yet to get it back, I am a little hesistant about putting this one in a loca shop.

 

If all you want is the data, depending on the brand, the hard disk may be easily removed (or difficult). Send me the disk and I'll get your data off and ship it back. Again, no charge except for shipping.

Then there is the possibility of getting a hard disk enclosure of your own and doing it yourself. Click on the highlighted text.

The hard part is getting the drive out of the laptop, which could be difficult or easy, again, depending on brand and model.

What is the brand and model, anyway?

 

It's a Dell Inspiron E1505, I have 2 exteranal hardrives to use for back ups.I have 1 program which I have the disk for, this is not my concern, I have hundreds of passwords that go with this program which I may not be qble to retrieve. The last time this happened to me I thought I had Ghost my computer and it didn't work, lost everything. I don't have a clue of how to open a laptop. I think with directions qnd my husband's I could do it.

 

As for the passwords, whether or not they are retrievable depends on how they are stored. If they are stored in a program like Internet Explorer or Firefox, you will not be able to retrieve them without making that computer run again. If they are stored in a text file or similar type file, you can recover them simply by transferring that file to another disk on a working computer.

This is how it works: That hard disk contains an operating system that is customized to run on only one system, one exactly like the computer on which it is currently loaded. There may be several other computers on which it will run; but, that is purely accidental and finding one on which it will run will be a hit or miss thing. So you understand better what you would be up against in finding a computer on which that operating will run as it is currently loaded, there are probably fewer that one in two hundred computers that have hardware similar enough.

There is one other possibility for a system where those passwords are stored in Internet Explorer or Firefox or other like program: A data recovery specialist who has the skills to integrate the necessary recovered files from your old disk, into another computer, might be successful; but, be prepared to let go of big bucks.

I store my passwords, credit card information and the serial numbers of everything I own in an encrypted Microsoft Word text file. When the file is accessed, I have to enter an eight-character password before it will display. That method makes access to my password file independent of the operating system or any particular computer.

About Ghost and other similar drive imaging programs: Ghost, Acronis True Image and similar drive imaging programs are capable of creating an image that will run on only the system it was created from, or a system exactly like that system. There is some possibility that just a very, very few systems have similar-enough hardware that the restored image will run; but, when the image is restored to one of those similar systems, Windows (XP or later) will present you with a screen requiring you to re-register the OS (operating system) with Microsoft and possibly pay Microsoft for another copy of Windows. If you refuse this offer, the system simply will not run.

See page 24 of this manual for the location of the hard disk. Two screws near the edge of the laptop hold the hard disk in place. Remove those two screws and the hard disk slides out the side like a drawer with a little resistance at the first quarter-inch or so. To protect the drive from ESD (electrostatic discharge), which would make the drive totally non functional and raise data recovery costs into the thousands of dollars, put it immediately into an antistatic bag. If you don't have an antistatic bag, wrap it in aluminum foil. Do not touch any of its electrical contact points or its circuit board. If you take the drive to a local shop for data retrieval, be sure they give you a receipt that enumerates the drive, the cradle and the cradle-to-hard-disk mounting screws. (Shops have a tendency to lose things, sometimes.)

I would tell you to remove the drive from its cradle but for the possibility of ESD by an inexperienced person. ESD isn't likely, even by the inexperienced; but, it is possible and the consequences are dire.

If you decide to get a drive enclosure of your own and do it yourself, here are the first few things to know about the enclosure. First, this is a 2.5" drive. Secondly, it is a PATA drive, also commonly called IDE. The external interface should be USB. I recommend you get one that has its own power supply. I don't have good luck with those that power themselves from an additional USB port. My experience is they will simply disappear from the system in the middle of an operation.

I've given you a lot to digest here so get back if you have additional questions.

 

Directions, you say? These should work.

 

Don't be put off by the complicated look of those instructions. Unless you are attempting a complete repair, you need only to use the part that tells you how to remove the hard disk (to recover the data).

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6400/en/sm/hddrive.htm#wp1123687

 

Thanks Alex for your help. Got the hard drive out, the reat of the computer looks like a disaster. My husband wants to junk it but I don't think I can do that, it's very special to me. Ordered a new computer, so will mark resolved, can't think of qny thing else to do.

 

Glad to help. I wish you luck; but, don't hesitate to come back to this thread in the event you need additional advice.