I murder computers. I don't mean to, but things happen. Problem is, I have an old Dell P.C. and 2 Dell notebooks that are dead but have data on them that I'd like to retrieve. Is this possible or should I finally just toss them in the trash heap? (This is partially a result of Lainey's post about getting organized. I looked around my office and felt nauseated -- it's definitely time to clean out!)

 

I'm sorry I caused you trouble. I would think a good computer guy/gal could probably retrieve the data and transfer it to another drive on another computer?

I crashed one computer and my local guy was able to put the data on my new one.

 

If the drive has not had a head crash, the data should be recoverable, even if the drive is otherwise dead. They just remove the actual disk and put it into a new drive. If it has had a head crash (where the read/write head touches/scrapes the disk), then chances are more iffy of even getting any information back.

If the computer is "dead" for some reason other than drive failure, you could just install the old drives into a new computer. That's not actually too hard, though if you are not the type to open up your computer and fiddle with the hardware then I advise asking someone else to do it.

 

Not to turn this into a Mac vs. PC thing, but murdering Macs is almost impossible w/o it being a hardware problem.

I have both and I spend 10 times the effort and time keeping the PCs running that I do the Macs. Plus I don't need all those useless utility programs and subscriptions that are absolutely necessary on the PCs. So while I can only second what the others have said about retrieving data now, in the long run a change in computers might solve the prob permanently.

 

As soon as you convince my employer to do so, I'd happily switch to a Mac.

 

mikegarrison covered most of your options. It can be quite pricey to retrieve data from a dead hard drive.

If on the other hand the drive is still functional, even if it's not bootable, you can usually put the drive in another PC, copy the data, and remove the old drive. There is an adapter which will allow you to put a laptop drive into a desktop PC as well.

 

I'll bet that you could talk them into a "Mini Mac". They don't cost any more than a PC. You already have a display and keyboard.

 

Mike & Mike -- thanks. Guess I'll call one of those computer geek places and see if they make house calls.

Dean, don't be holding your breath. For the time being, we have relatively new, working computers. And chances are one of the notebooks will die or be murdered before the PC is.

 

I bought one of these when my laptop's motherboard died, so I could get the data off and onto (ironically) my new Mac Mini. Just take out the hard drive of your laptops (won't fit the desktop HD, unfortunately), place it in, and plug it into your USB port on a working computer. Best of all, it's only $10.

 

Good!