BSOD - Need to recover tower data via laptop

Thanks much! I have it ordered. I'll let you know how it goes.

The device worked; I'm definitely seeing the drive. What is missing is all of my desktop. I went into the "Users" folder and received an error message that it was not accessible and access was denied. Meanwhile, it seems to see the recovey partition, but I never used it as a backup for my personal data. Not sure what to try next...

There are a few things you can do. It sounds like the system sees the folder but might be locked if it had a password. You can try to take ownership of that folder (Users). Sicne I don't know what OS you have on your laptop I will post a guide for all three current ones (XP, Vista and 7):

XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Vista: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistas... (second post explains it)

7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Troubl... (third blue link)

Once that finishes it should be open to you to see. I have to do this at work quite a bit and my bench is Windows 7 which will usually do it automatically but some folders like to be a bit trickier than others.

If that does not work for some reason you could use a program called Unstaoppable Copier:

http://majorgeeks.com/Unstoppable_Copier_d2623.html

It will copy anything from a specific folder you select and then to a folder you select.

The second scenario is that the HDD might be going bad. If that is so the sectors might be unreadable. In that case your only option is to try a recovery program. I have used a few and each one has ups and downs.

IF you need to bo this check here:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/01/24/top-10-f...

I have used a few from that list and as I said, each work good in certain areas. Remember only do this part if the above two do not work.

The easiest thing for you to have done was to boot into Linux. To do so create a disk from the ISO you can get, i recommend ubuntu, it's quite simple. www.ubuntu.com
You can basically use Nautilus to navigate through your files of any NTFS file system. If it mounts and your files arn't corrupt which is rare.
And move files like a breeze. You don't even need to install it on your harddrive, just boot up the disk and use "try ubuntu"
You just need a Read/Write disk with 700MB, can buy like 5 at almost any electronic store for like 5 bucks.
I see no reason why to go through all that complicated stuff, or even spend more then 5 bucks to recover your data. Or to go to microsoft support, they don't help. In my experience anyway.

^What I listed is simple and easy without the need for anything beyond a external drive adapter.

Problem with ubuntu is that you have to know somewhat about Linux and you would still need the external drive adapter since most laptops these day only have one HDD bay.

Actually no. You don't even need to use the laptop. She can salvage the data by using the tower. Then just use a flash drive or something to transfer the data.

Still Ubuntu is a bit too complicated for someone who has not used Linux before. I know there are great releases done by people that are ore user friendly but still. This transfers it directly to the laptop and bypasses having to go and buy a bigger thumb drive in case the files are larger than 8GB all together.

Fair enough.

Thank you all for your help, especially Mr. Smitty. I have recovered the data and am breathing easier. The next step is to attempt a 'do over' (as my 5 year old says) for the system and believe me when I tell you, I'm going to have two separate backups from now on.

Best answer selected by ShawsMama.

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey