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Switching Hard Drives to new computer

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by berryfremont, 2009/05/15.

  1. 2009/05/15
    berryfremont

    berryfremont Inactive Thread Starter

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    My old laptop's screen is broken so I can't see anything, but it still turns on. The thing is there is a file that i need on it. Is there anyway I can take the hard drive out and put it into another computer without messing the other computer up? Or, is there some kind of chord I can buy that allows me to view what is on the broken screened computer on a tv or other computer? Thanks for your response
     
    berryfremont,
    #1
  2. 2009/05/15
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    There are several methods...But using a USB external enclosure would be a good idea. You could use it as a backup device...
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


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  4. 2009/05/15
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Try plugging an external monitor into the laptop - use the Fn key plus the appropriate key to toggle between laptop/laptop + external/external monitor.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2009/05/15
    berryfremont

    berryfremont Inactive Thread Starter

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    could someone please explain how to use an external enclosure? Is it possible to take out the hard drive on the damaged computer and put it into my new computer? Or will this mess something up? As you can tell I am new at this
     
    Last edited: 2009/05/15
    berryfremont,
    #4
  6. 2009/05/15
    Lukeno1

    Lukeno1 Well-Known Member

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    An external enclosure is simple. You buy it, stick the laptop HD in (make sure it's a 2.5 inch enclosure...), connect the USB cable end to the new PC, and theoretically it should appear. Alternatively (assuming you have a full PC now, and not a laptop), you could buy a 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch adaptor from someone like Maplin, and use it in the new PC, as a slave hard drive. I know about using these adaptors, as I have a 3.5-5.25 inch one in my PC ;)
     
    Lukeno1,
    #5
  7. 2009/05/15
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Post #3 is the most straightforwad way of seeing what is on the computer and copying a file off, given that the suggestion works & assuming you have a desktop monitor to use and that it is a screen fault and not a motherboard fault on the laptop.
     
    PeteC,
    #6

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