First post here...... Painting Contractor with some PC knowledge.........so please be patient I had the hard drive fail on a Dell 530 after some violent thunder storms. Left the PC running during the night, when the power went off / on...... Woke up to the dreaded Blue screen with some message about the hard drive ( can't exactly remember the exact wording ) Couldn't get the PC to boot in any of the various modes......so I replaced the drive and reinstalled the operating ssystem ( XP )

I would like to get a few of my files off the old drive if possible( mostly Quick Books and Photos ) but when using a EZ-CONNECT( USB to SATA Adapter) The drive is not recognized in My Computer by my now working PC but does show up in the Device Manager. Tried all the USB ports.

As best as I can tell the old drive does appear to be running/ spinning. ( <--Again.....I'm a Painting Contractor )

Is there anything I can try to be able to read this drive??? Trying to do it myself as the paint gig hasn't been the best game in town the last few years (used to employ 20 + individuals ) so any help would be greatly appreciated!

If the drive is detected and no strange noises, you can try with R-Studio or Getdataback to scan your drive and get the files out.

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Not trying to be stupid ( comes naturally ) but when you say detected, you're referring to the fact that it's listed in the device manager........correct?? Because when I click on My Computer the drive isn't there.

Upon a second look.......I'm embarrassed to say the old drive isn't listed in the device manager.........what it is seeing is , of course........the New drive :Banghead: So let's start over.............when plugged into a USB port..........the Old Drive is NOT detected!

Ah, so it's a complete diferent story.
Have you tried to connect directly to the PC? Does it spin? Have you checked the PCB for burned components?

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If you mean have I tried to install it into the case as a slave drive................No. I have it connected via USB port using an adapter. Don't know what the PCB is..................but if you are referring to the thing I would describe as the circuit board on the hard drive.......then there doesn't seem to be any burn marks. Don't have the correct tool to remove and look at the reverse side......looks like a very small torque fitting.

Sorry to say, but you don't have the minimum to do a small diagnosis.
It will be very very hard to help you like this....

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I do appreciate your patience and honesty. Do you have any recommendations as to where I could send the drive that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg to recover my company files??

You have a few members here from the US. Try to PM the member "DRC".

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Apologies but I don't take referrals, I am just an employee of a company.

Two US-based guys I know of who do take referrals are jono-ats and harddrivespecialist

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

Sorry, my bad

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