how to back up data when laptop doesnt boot!

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yochankr

60 posts

Master Geek
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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?

jonb

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Reply # 501959 4-Aug-2011 15:51

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.

ChrisNZL

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Reply # 501980 4-Aug-2011 16:11

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 ;)

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CB_24

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Reply # 502004 4-Aug-2011 16:45

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.

freitasm

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Reply # 502006 4-Aug-2011 16:47

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

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danielm8

109 posts

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Reply # 502023 4-Aug-2011 17:05

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.

freitasm

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Reply # 502024 4-Aug-2011 17:06

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...

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jonb

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Reply # 503351 8-Aug-2011 14:39

Are you having any luck with the data retrieval?