Broken PC

Ok, I don't have the first clue when it comes to the insides of a computer and how things work. So this might be a really stupid question ...

I have an old PC that stopped working and is now literally broken. I've no interest in getting the thing back up and running but it has a few folders on it that I really need (family photos, videos etc).

So my question is ... Is there an actual part of the broken computer I can take out and some how connect to this computer, so I can transfer the files?

Both desktops mate.

Quote :

you can put the old hard drive into your new computer and see if it is
still working without having to remove the new on thats already in it.

Thats what i was thinking, kind of like an external HD?

Quote :

.SATA, ATA.....?

No idea, how do I tell?

Quote :

Do you know what is the problem with your old pc?

No idea mate. It just stopped working well over a year ago.

Couldn't even start the thing, no blue screen or anything like that ... just kept beeping.

I'd had it in the shop 3 times before that and it was an old PC anyway so wasn't worth me paying to get it fixed again. Plus I fucked about with the inside (not having a clue what i was doing) so its probably beyond repair now anyway.

Ok, its ATA

Ok mate cheers.

I've got the HD infront of me now ... it has the red cable you posted above (but the cable says ATA on it).


How easy is it to add this HD as a second internal?

Can I add it, get the shit I want from it, then remove it again?

Most importanty ... is there a chance I will fuck up the good PC/HD?

Yeah, it says 'Serial ATA'


Cheers I'll have a read and decide whether or not to give it a go ... will let you know

Looks simple enough ...

Just this part.

Quote :

Boot up your computer. When you log in to your operating system, it
should recognize the new hardware and ask to install drivers for it.
Use the driver CD that came with the SATA hard drive to install the
drivers, then format the drive if prompted to do so. Once the SATA
drive is installed and properly formatted, it will be ready to use.

I won't have that CD cos its not a brand new HD?

Western Digital

WD1600

Christ, just wait till Pete gets in on the act, it'll be like Geeks 'r' Us.......



Hope it all goes well mate, i wouldnt have the fuckin foggiest meself...

LOL


I can't download that driver ... I've tried registering but its not sending out any email

Right, I'm good to go I think ...

Nip and to the nursery then get stuck in ... if you here a KA-BOOM!, that would be me.

Ta for the help TW, top man

easy bee if you want to turn it into an external hd you can buy a external hd case for a few quid
easiest is put it in your tower ,
if the one in your tower is the same type [sata]you should have no probs as the bios in the mobo should set your drives numbered from 0 to 1,2,3 ect,
if its an ide then your sata drive may try to act like the master drive,

any how we will cross that bridge when we get there
as for drivers you dont need them ,
any way as its a secondary drive all you may need [after you have got your data] to do is format the partition and that can be done through disc management in windows

what os is it as xp does get glitchy with sata it wont recognise them asometimes

Cheers mate,

I've had the comp open and been looking for the last hour or so ... I can't find anywhere for a second HD to fit. Nowhere at all ... I've had a look at other HP Pavillions on the web and they all show a removable case. This doesn't have one though, looks like it was only meant to have one HD?

Its a 'HP Pavillion m1000' btw

So, at the moment, I can't even get the thing in

if you cant fit it you can still connect it and have it hanging loose so you cvan get the data off it post a pic of it open
ext hd case price list
http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=en&source=hp&q=case+for+sata+drive+external&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=3UVOS6TeOZPd4gblhZjyDw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCUQrQQwAg

roland rat wrote:

if you cant fit it you can still connect it and have it hanging loose so you cvan get the data off it post a pic of it open

Oh yeah ofcourse, cheers mate.

I only want to get the stuff from it, will give that a try and hopefully it's not the HD that is damaged.

I asked on the HP support forum btw and the model of PC I have doesn't have space to 'perminantly' fit a second HD ... so it will have to be an external if i need more space.