Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › how to back up data when laptop doesnt boot!


60 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user


Topic # 87703 4-Aug-2011 15:35

Hi all..

I have a HP pavilion dv6 that doesnt boot.
Can go into various options at start by pressing F8 etc. Called up HP made enquiries but still no luck.

They eventually said that I would have to format my laptop and that I would have to obviously back up my data.

Question is though, is it actually possible to back up your data when your laptop doesnt boot and go go into windows? At the moment I cant even go through safe mode..

Is it actually possible?

Create new topic
1460 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 324

Trusted

  Reply # 501959 4-Aug-2011 15:51
Send private message

hmm, tough one.

What stage exactly does the PC booting stop at?


If you can hear a 'clicking' noise from the hard disk area underneath the laptop then it's most likely a professional (= as expensive as a new laptop) task.

There are some other possible solutions if that's not the case - making a ubuntu boot diak and attempting to access the c: drive from there:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Or buy a usb mounting kit to make the laptop harddisk into a usb external hdd:

http://lifehacker.com/253847/alpha-geek-turn-an-old-hard-drive-into-an-external-drive

Other, better geeks than I will be of better assistance though..

By the way, my dv6 has been nothing but trouble since purchase - overheating, 10 min battery life and the works.

304 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 28


  Reply # 501980 4-Aug-2011 16:11
Send private message

You could burn Ubuntu to disc (from a different computer) and run it Live (meaning you can use Ubuntu and access the harddrive without installing anything), or put it on a pen drive and boot from that. And then copy your important folders and files across your network or put them onto some other media, though it's near impossible to backup application settings/configurations.

Or you could reinstall Windows, but don't format the drive during this process, and have a new Windows folder and new Program Folders beside your existing ones, so you can still get to your original files, but can't boot into your "old" Windows install. - this is the messy option ;)




Creator of Tallowmere.

 
 
 
 


272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 14


  Reply # 502004 4-Aug-2011 16:45
Send private message

Download the 30-day iso of ShadowProtect, boot off the CD and backup all the data to an external HDD. Reload Windows then run ShadowProtect again from within Windows and copy your data from your external drive back.

It's very easy and very reliable. 

BDFL - Memuneh
62034 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12648

Administrator
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  Reply # 502006 4-Aug-2011 16:47
Send private message

And then remember backups are done BEFORE disaster strikes, on a routine basis.




Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) | 

 

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management | Sharesies investment fund

109 posts

Master Geek


  Reply # 502023 4-Aug-2011 17:05
Send private message

I bought a $5 2.5" to 3.5" adaptor from TradeMe, plugged my laptop hard disk in to my PC and then copied the data to another hard disk from my desktop when my laptop died.

BDFL - Memuneh
62034 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12648

Administrator
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  Reply # 502024 4-Aug-2011 17:06
Send private message

This can only work if the problem is in the boot record, or missing/corrupted Windows files. If there's a physical problem (i.e. a faulty logic board on the HDD) then external or internal won't work...





Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) | 

 

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management | Sharesies investment fund

1460 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 324

Trusted

  Reply # 503351 8-Aug-2011 14:39
Send private message

Are you having any luck with the data retrieval?

Create new topic



Twitter »

Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:



Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.


Geekzone Live »

Our community of supporters help make Geekzone possible. Click the button below to join them.

Support Geezone on PressPatron


Updates »

Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.