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retrieving files from hard drive

10 years ago

I did it..... recycled an old computer, but saved the hard drive. Now I find I want some of the files off that hard drive. Can I get them without spending an arm and a leg?

Featured Answer

mikie_gw

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

If a tower home desktop just put the drive in as a 2nd hard drive...

Or additionally you can buy a hard drive dock or usb adapter cable & or hard drive enclosure for it and have it as a portable external drive... or perhaps plug it into your router too would be possible as a network drive... with usb, or even an Ethernet adapter.

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Comments (7)

Elmer J Fudd
10 years ago
I'm sorry you didn't think of doing that before separating it from the mother ship.
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ruobet55
Original Author
10 years ago
Me, too......
kudzu9
10 years ago
At least you saved the hard drive...I usually smash mine with a sledgehammer ;-)
User
10 years ago
Something like this works very well and is inexpensive: Rosewill IDE/SATA to USB Converter Your Drive can be an 3.5 or 2.5" IDE Drive or SATA Drive. I've been using one of these for years, much easier than opening up the computer. I usually use it to try and retrieve files for people when their computers crash!

Like Snidely stated; best to have it still in the old computer hooked to the original mother ship! But in my case that's not always possible! This IMO is the next best and cheapest option! You never install the drive back into a computer, it does come with Protective Silicon Cases for Standard or Laptop Hard Drives.
Elmer J Fudd
10 years ago
In addition to the cord adapter bugspop suggests, there are also hard drive docking stations that are sold for about $30. I'd probably favor using one of those, as some USB receptacles may or may not put out enough voltage for the drive connected through just a cord.
ruobet55
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks to all. I ordered a hard drive "thingie", can't think of the name. They only carry them for laptops, and don't have the pc ones in the store!

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