Question re: Swapping Hard Drives Between Computers

emh

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Apr 5, 2013
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My wife's computer (a Lenovo G 405) is stuck on the logo screen during the boot process. Last night, I went through a bunch of possible solutions that I found online and none of them worked. The computer is still stuck.

I also have a Lenovo (G40). I was thinking of temporarily putting my wife's hard drive into my computer to see if I can at least access her files (she has a major project due on Saturday!). I also want to put the hard drive from my computer into hers to see if her computer will boot with my hard drive installed.

Both computers are running Windows 10.

Just wondering if there's anything that I should be worried about in doing this. I'd like to help my wife with her problem but I don't want to do anything to damage my computer in the process or lose any files from my hard drive.

I guess I'm wondering if putting her hard drive into my laptop has the potential to cause issues with my laptop if her hard drive is damaged? I also don't want to damage my hard drive by putting it into her computer. Is that possible? Also wondering if Windows will need to be reinstalled or not? Since we're both running Windows 10, I hope not but I'm not sure.
 
Solution


maybe = Sometimes it would boot, sometimes it doesn't.
No actual damage, but just not booting.
However...if it is a faulty/failing drive, the more you mess with it, the greater chance of making it completely unreadable.

This is why I suggested getting the critical data off it first. Then diagnose, fix, etc.

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Swapping drives and trying to boot is a 'maybe'. There is no 100% yes or no.

Right now, the critical thing is her files on that drive. Not the OS or other functionality.
I'd suggest getting an external USB dock, and connecting that potentially faulty drive externally. Save whatever files you can from it.

Once you have that, then you can proceed with diagnostics on the G405, up to a full reinstall if needed.
 

emh

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Apr 5, 2013
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Thanks!

"Swapping drives and trying to boot is a 'maybe'."

Can you say more about this? A maybe in what sense? Maybe it will work, maybe it won't? Maybe I'll damage my computer, maybe I won't? Or something else?

 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


maybe = Sometimes it would boot, sometimes it doesn't.
No actual damage, but just not booting.
However...if it is a faulty/failing drive, the more you mess with it, the greater chance of making it completely unreadable.

This is why I suggested getting the critical data off it first. Then diagnose, fix, etc.
 
Solution

emh

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Apr 5, 2013
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"However...if it is a faulty/failing drive, the more you mess with it, the greater chance of making it completely unreadable."

Okay good to know! We're headed to the repair shop later today (getting stuff off a hard drive is a bit outside of my expertise) but I wanted to see if there was anything I could do in the meantime.

Thanks for your help!