Comments on: Accessing notebook hard drive using USB enclosure

By: ximan

ximan — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:21:01 +0000

Hi.I have a dead ACER ASPIRE 1642 with a damaged power connector and i want to take the data from the disk.But i cannot find what type of external usb enclosure i have to buy.I mean what type of hard disk has an ACER ASPIRE 1642?
Thanx!

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:54:08 +0000

Hello again. I just put together my laptop HDD and the HDD enclosure but when I plugged it into my computer Windows XP automatically ran the add hardware wizard and says I need a USB to IDE bridge driver. it couldnt find the neccesary driver with windows update and the enclosure never came with software. I also cannot access the drive in My Computer. Do you know of any way to get this to work without a driver or know where I can get a driver? I have contacted the Hong Kong based company that I bought it from but hey go figure, they were no help. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated. If you need more info or specs please let me know.

By: toolio

toolio — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:43:26 +0000

I have pulled my hard drive from my Pavillion 6000 series laptop.
Once I put it into a case and connect to my desktop via USB, will I be able to access the emails from my former Inbox (MS Outlook)?

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:42:11 +0000

Raymond,

Were on the harddrive can I tell if it’s ATA or SATA I don’t see that anywhere…

Here’s the difference: http://www.laptopparts101.com/hard-drive/
Regular ATA hard drive has two rows of pins and serial ATA has two flat connectors.

By: tim

tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:22:40 +0000

its a Dell Inspiron 2600. i got it in 2002! do you know anything about how to get the other end off. Its a plastic piece same plastic as the laptop case. the plastic piece lifts up so you can put the drive in the bay. then you push it down and screw in the screw.

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:07:44 +0000

Tim,

I was reading through this because I need to take files from my laptop hard drive and transfer them to my desktop. The hard drive in my Dell Inspiron laptop I beleive is an IDE because it has 4 pins that are separated from the others as shown in the photos, however, the other 40 pins aren’t there. They have an adapter over them. I have heard that some laptop manufacturers put that adapter over the 40 pins so that it will connect inside the laptop, and that they are removable. I just have no idea how to remove it and don’t want to break it.

Just pull the connector off the hard drive.
What is your laptop model?

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:27:28 +0000

Hello, I was reading through this because I need to take files from my laptop hard drive and transfer them to my desktop. The hard drive in my Dell Inspiron laptop I beleive is an IDE because it has 4 pins that are separated from the others as shown in the photos, however, the other 40 pins aren’t there. They have an adapter over them. I have heard that some laptop manufacturers put that adapter over the 40 pins so that it will connect inside the laptop, and that they are removable. I just have no idea how to remove it and don’t want to break it. Also, the HDD has a plastic piece at the non-connecting end so it can be securely screwed onto the laptop body. I have also read that those are removable so they will fit into the enclosures. I have no idea how to remove these two pieces and would appreciate any help you can give me. If I damage the hard drive while trying to remove those pieces my whole purpose of transferring the files will be void. Thanks for any help in advance.

Oh and in case this helps, it is a Fujitsu hard drive 2.5″ IDE (I hope, because I’ve already purchased an IDE enclosure.)

By: Raymond

Raymond — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:21:24 +0000

One more question..Were on the harddrive can I tell if it’s ATA or SATA I don’t see that anywhere…To help you out all I see is Seagate on the top.Then under 120gd it say’s serial AT disc drive..Do I to open to find out….Thanks….

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:41:03 +0000

Raymond,

When you say any computer do you mean if I use a HP harddrive it can upload my files on a Computer other than a Hp computer..for ex.acer..And my picture’s and stuff will show up on the new laptop…

Yes, after you install the hard drive into the enclosure you should be able to access it from any computer, laptop or desktop.

By: Raymond

Raymond — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:37:55 +0000

Hello…..When you say any computer do you mean if I use a HP harddrive it can upload my files on a Computer other than a Hp computer..for ex.acer..And my picture’s and stuff will show up on the new laptop…