computer crapped out - need to get files off hard drive...

need some help and don't exactly know how to do it...

I was running a win2k professional installation on an older computer (athlon socket gigabyte mobo) and the mobo just crapped out. Now, i don't want to fix it - instead buying a new laptop

Problem is I need a heap of files off the old hard drive and am unable to run the old computer. I tried to install the HD into a Gateway but I get a BSOD when starting windows - apparently win2k does not allow switching of hard drives into other computers with different hardware (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/249694/).

So I'm stuck. Is there any possible way to get the files off? Anyone have this problem before?

Please help! Thanks.

Justin

 

Sorry about your loss,.,,,,that is terrible.
But I would like to know the answer also, just in case!

Of course, the answer is probably some easy fix that even I could do.

 

you can pay for a data restoration, which costs like 800 bucks.

apparently putting it in the fridge can help, but i think that's an urban myth.

it sucks, i lost all of my grad essays when my hard drive crashed.

 

oh you're right...i just assumed hehe

 

yeah, it's not the hard drive that crashed - it's the motherboard that fried (you know when a bunch of resistors and capacitors go up in smoke ).

I would assume it's possible to use the hard drive in another computer (possibly a barebones system) and just copy all files to CD and then reformat it. Is that possible?

 

If you can change the *Jumper* on the back of the Drive to *Slave* then plug it into the *Middle* connection on the hard drive Cable that is in the PC and you should be able to see it if the PC boots normally from it's own hard disk...

If it works when you go to *My Computer* it will show up as either *D:* or *E:* depending on whether you have a CD Drive installed in that machine...

 

you talking about installing the old HD in the working computer as a slave? might work since it's not gonna boot from it - i'll give it a try but I wanna see other ideas first (I'm on the only working internet connection right now )

 

you could buy those cheap IDE to USB converter's or an external hard drive enclosure and try plugging it into your new computer.

 

That's Exactly what I am saying... You will be able to copy files but any programs will have to be Installed on the new Laptop you get, if those programs happen to Write Lines to the Windows Registry...

 

have you tried booting up in safe mode?

if you're feeling really savvy, you can get one of those bootable CD's of windows or linux. It should mount the drive, from there you could transfer them over a network, usb drive, burn to cd....

KeithLDick's solution is the easiest route though, if it works.

 

Well, that worked great...I just didn't know if i would still have the compatibility problems. THANKS!

 

Glad ya got it working...

 

If anyone else is using the same motherboard then just go to him and asked him to help you.If he is ready then do the job by your self using his motherboard.It is simple.First assemble his machine along with your hard disk and then reinstall windows.Now you are ready to have those important files of yours.If those files are in your os drive then this is really crapped.

 

That's what I was going to say. Seems to be all set already, though, now. I am playing catch up...hence the slow reply.