Dead Lap top. Can I extract the hardrive and use as external drive

[Benj]

GAH! Wrong Forum, please delete!!

One of my lap tops is goosed . Ive tried all sorts to fix it, I think the Explore.exe file has a virus though as it boots up windows but just shows the wallpaper. I can not open Task manager or anything to access any of the files.

I have tried to restore the system using the supplied disc but I get a blue screen and a checksum error.

Its pretty old and I was going to replace it soon anyway. It has loads of MP3s (luckilly I had just backed up all my photos!) which I really don't want to have to download again. Is there anyway of simply removing the Hard Drive, putting in some kind of USB enclosure and then simply using it as an External HD via USB? And would I risk infecting other computers, if it is a virus. I only want the MP3s, I can happily bin off everything else.

I've had a quick Google but can see nothing in non tech speak that is conclusive.

Cheers for any help! Im actually quite looking forward to taking it to bits!

Edited July 29, 2009 by Benj

[savestheday]

Not too sure myself although you might be better off asking in the Discussion forum. Quite a few knowledgable people in there

Edit: I tried this with my old laptop btw, and I couldn't do it. Wouldn't be surprised if you could with newer laptops though.

Edited July 29, 2009 by savestheday

[dip]

This sounds like such an emo band.

[dip]

This sounds like such an emo band.

[Haydn]

This sounds like such an emo band.

[Flobadobalob]

GAH! Wrong Forum, please delete!!

One of my lap tops is goosed . Ive tried all sorts to fix it, I think the Explore.exe file has a virus though as it boots up windows but just shows the wallpaper. I can not open Task manager or anything to access any of the files.

I have tried to restore the system using the supplied disc but I get a blue screen and a checksum error.

Its pretty old and I was going to replace it soon anyway. It has loads of MP3s (luckilly I had just backed up all my photos!) which I really don't want to have to download again. Is there anyway of simply removing the Hard Drive, putting in some kind of USB enclosure and then simply using it as an External HD via USB? And would I risk infecting other computers, if it is a virus. I only want the MP3s, I can happily bin off everything else.

I've had a quick Google but can see nothing in non tech speak that is conclusive.

Cheers for any help! Im actually quite looking forward to taking it to bits!

[markeee]

hey Benj - might be an idea to try booting into a live cd (i.e. an operating system on a CD) download a Live CD of a Linux distribution..Ubuntu would be the easiest

boot into it off the cd, and see if it picks up your hdd, that way you know if the drive still works

if the drive is still working - then yes, you should be able to just buy a USB enclosure and put the hdd straight in that and make a nice external USB hdd!!

hope this helps

[Benj]

Cheers for the advice all

Just to confirm, Dead Laptop look set to play the FR Tent at 2:30 on the Friday.

[markeee]

what did you do in the end Benj, get anywhere with it?