Moribund computers! - Page 2

I think it's possible that you might be able to retrieve the data from the hard disks - when I say "you" I mean if you call a computer shop it might depend on whether the devices failed because of the hard drives or because of something else. Newer laptops have solid state hard drives (SSD) - no moving parts these were more expensive when they came out but are now more affordable.

Thank you for your reply, Lancelot. I had thought of asking the local place and at least taking the aged laptop to them, whilst making enquiries about a replacement. None of it is terrifically important, just a nuisance to have lost access!

Thank you

Ste

Always a chance to retrieve data from a drive, laptop will have either a 3.5 or 2.5 inch drive and desktop prob a 5 inch...i have a couple of rigs i use which give a usb connection and power them...or get an external drive and connect your one inside...any tech guy should be able to access them and see files...

Blimey! 5 inch!

Don't think I've seen one since gazza scored against Scotland!

Cheers

Steve

Thanks, George, that’s hopeful. I will ask them when I get round to sorting it out, shortly, I intend.

As for the size of the disk drive, I think the 5” was the one before the one before the one that’s just died!!

Thanks to everyone for all your kind help and encouragement, I hope to be replacing the kit shortly, but pleased to know there’s a chance of salvaging something!

Thanks to all and kind regards

Step

I couldn't remember how to do this so got it from https://techsolvers.com.au/

It's easy to do if the battery is in the bottom of the laptop case, harder if it's in the top half. Anyway, it's worth a try.

Unplug the power cable from your laptop

Locate and remove the battery

Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds

Re-insert the battery and plug in your laptop

1. Attempt a restart and cross your fingers

With a bit of luck, your screen is now showing signs of life and the operating system is booting up.

Thank you very much Myra I will try this later on, the battery is easily removable on this old laptop!

Sjc

Hey Steve...i have 27 off 5 and a quarter inch drives stuffed with 10 thousand movies and series...some stuff you cant get now due to the looney left objecting...i was in Saudi 27 years where everything was banned so managed to provide entertainment for the expats there...i am old computer guy who remembers 10 inch floppies and huge disk paks of 1 megabyte...those were the days...

Hi Myra

Just to tell you that I tried the suggested fix, but despite crossing my fingers, it returned no result at all. It’s as dead as a dodo, but thank you so much for trying.

Kr

Stephanie 

defo take out the drive and try to access it...if you have an external USB drive you can open it and substitute the internal drive...it should fit...2 small connectors...listen to the drive closely it should be spinning...