How to Transfer Files from Broken Desktop and Laptop

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RTY12

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May 10, 2014
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I have a broken desktop and laptop. I want to transfer files on both to my new desktop. The hard drives in both desktop and laptop are believed to still be working. Is there something economical that I can use on both to transfer to my new desktop? The hardrives are:

Desktop: Maxtor D740x-6L
Laptop: Western Digital WD800VE Enhanced IDE
 
Solution
spdragoo
The desktop hard drive should be able to be added to your new desktop. Not so sure about the laptop drive, especially since they're usually smaller (2.5" vs. 3.5"), & you may not want to buy a mounting bracket just to download the files.

However, that's more if you want to permanently use the drives. If you're just looking to access the files before tossing them, you want something like this: http://www.microcenter.com/product/285941/EZ-Connect_USB_to_SATA-IDE_Adapter

I've used this multiple times in the past to retrieve data from failing drives before they're unrecoverable. The one I have came with a power connector (both SATA & Molex-style connectors), plus the adapter has both 3.5" & 2.5" IDE and SATA connectors on it.
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RTY12

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May 10, 2014
45
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4,530
I removed the hard drive from the laptop. Another person told me I can buy an enclosure and transfer files that way. I am not sure I can remove the desktop hard drive. Probably I can. Is there something (like a cable) that I can use to transfer from desktop and laptop hardrives?

On the broken desktop, how can I add it to my new PC?

 
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spdragoo

spdragoo

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Oct 17, 2011
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The desktop hard drive should be able to be added to your new desktop. Not so sure about the laptop drive, especially since they're usually smaller (2.5" vs. 3.5"), & you may not want to buy a mounting bracket just to download the files.

However, that's more if you want to permanently use the drives. If you're just looking to access the files before tossing them, you want something like this: http://www.microcenter.com/product/285941/EZ-Connect_USB_to_SATA-IDE_Adapter

I've used this multiple times in the past to retrieve data from failing drives before they're unrecoverable. The one I have came with a power connector (both SATA & Molex-style connectors), plus the adapter has both 3.5" & 2.5" IDE and SATA connectors on it.
 
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Solution
spdragoo

spdragoo

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Oct 17, 2011
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Depends on if it's a SATA drive or not. It might also depend on how easy it is to hook up the drive & transfer the files. Yes, you can a) open your case up & install the drive in another bay, hooking up the data & power cables, b) make sure that the new drive isn't 1st in the boot order in your BIOS, c) copy the files you need, d) wipe the drive, & e) repeat steps b & a in reverse order; or, you can forego the bay installation, just leaving your case open for the few hours (or days) that it might take to transfer the files; or he can use the transfer device & not have to reboot his PC or even open his case.

The latter was extremely nice the last time. I kept having issues transferring data from the WD Black to the secondary WD Green (was using Linux Mint DVD as a temporary OS), where it would freeze up after maybe 20-30 minutes. After buying new drives, I realized that the problem was the data port on the Green -- the plastic tab had broken off a few years back, & was stuck in the data cable. It was much quicker to simply unplug & reconnect the USB cable on the external adapter than to reboot my PC every time.
 
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