Saying Goodbye to My Old PC: Is Data Recovery Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of data recovery from an old PC that has malfunctioned, focusing on the technical steps involved in accessing the hard drive of the old system after acquiring a new one. Participants explore methods for connecting the old hard drive to the new PC and address concerns regarding potential viruses and hardware compatibility.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their old PC's failure, expressing a desire to recover specific files from the hard drive.
  • Another participant suggests setting the old hard drive as a slave to access its data after booting the new PC.
  • Further contributions clarify the need to configure jumpers correctly to set the old drive as a slave and recommend performing a disk check once connected.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of operating the new system with the old drive exposed and whether the age of the old drive or differences in operating systems (Windows 98 vs. Windows XP) would affect data access.
  • Participants discuss the potential risk of viruses transferring from the old drive to the new system, with one suggesting that the original problem likely isn't virus-related but rather a hardware issue.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange about seeking further instructions for setting up the slave drive once the new PC is operational.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of connecting the old hard drive as a slave to the new PC, but there is uncertainty regarding the implications of potential viruses and hardware compatibility. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact cause of the old PC's failure.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence in their technical understanding, and there are assumptions about hardware compatibility and virus behavior that are not fully explored.

enigma
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Well, my trusty PC finally bit it. I don't know if it was a virus or simply age that did it in.

I simply turned it on, and it stalls on the bootup splash before it checks for alternate startup CDs/floppys, and before you can access the bios.

I went out and dropped 1/3 of my summer income on a new one. 2.08GHz P4, 256MB +512MB chip (yet to be installed), 120GB Drive, etc.

Now what I'm wondering: Is there any way to plug into the old one's hard drive to pull some lost files off? I did a document backup before the start of the semester, and most of the code I've written is backed up on my Zip disk which I use to do work on the school labs. The rest I have hard copy printouts, so they can be re-entered. In short, there isn't anything which I'll die without. I still would like to pull the (bought and downloaded, so not re-installable) $30 Matlab controls system package, as well as some of my favorite saved games off of it if possible.

Any ideas, tech wizards?
 
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It sounds to me like your problem didn't have anything to do with the harddrive. So you can simply set your old hard drive to slave and there you go. I'd do a disk check one hoocked up just to make sure though.
 
If you set the old hard drive up as a slave (configure the jumpers) you should be able to read off it after booting into windows on the new drive (which would be set as master).
 
I think I could probably figure that out. Would it be safe to operate the system with the box open and the slave hard drive hanging out the side, or does it need to be screwed in and grounded?

Will it make a difference that the old drive is over 5 years old, and the new PC is using XP (old op. sys. was win 98). I'm guessing the bus speeds are different as well.

Probably more importantly, if something did infect the old PC, is there any chance that it will 'jump' to the new drive before I run the virus scan software on it?
 
Originally posted by enigma
I think I could probably figure that out. Would it be safe to operate the system with the box open and the slave hard drive hanging out the side, or does it need to be screwed in and grounded?

Will it make a difference that the old drive is over 5 years old, and the new PC is using XP (old op. sys. was win 98). I'm guessing the bus speeds are different as well.

Probably more importantly, if something did infect the old PC, is there any chance that it will 'jump' to the new drive before I run the virus scan software on it?

It can dangle temporarily.

The old OS does not make a difference since it will not be loaded. You will just see the file structure as if it were another partition to your new drive.

There is a chance the virus could spread, but your problems doesn't sound like a virus. Just a very common hardware (most likely memory or mobo malfunction).
 
thanks!

Once I get everything up and running on the new PC, I'll be sure to pester you for instructions getting the slave set up! :wink:
 
Originally posted by enigma
thanks!

Once I get everything up and running on the new PC, I'll be sure to pester you for instructions getting the slave set up! :wink:

ok! they instructions should be on the back of each hard drive. the jumper placement.
 

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