Windows 10: HDD failing - can I still get files off the drive ?

Had a recent previous thread where my bios post would freeze at F2 or Del screen for options. (cant get by innitial bios start screen - Windows 10 Forums)

Turns out the HHD that was failing (my storage drive) was the culprit - when I disconnect it the system posts and starts normally...when reconnected I get the post freeze at press F2 key...etc.

Now the problem is how can I recover the files on that drive ? Do I have to take it into a Computer/Drive repair shop - or is it possible somehow to access that drive either in Windows (cant get by the post tho) or outside of windows in some way ?

Really need to get access into drive if possible - is there software or anything I can do to get the files off the problem drive ? Don't care about the physical drive...but really need to recover as many of the files on it that I can.

Any suggestions or methods will be greatly appreciated...at work now but will post back make/model/size of drive, etc. Have multiple images of my main Windows drive - but don't have a backup of this current drive (was/is E: drive).

Thanks...TiminAz

:)

 

Windows 10 won't boot

Hi

Do you have your product key still?

If so you can go to the website and make a Window 10 .Iso file with your USB Flash Drive and try to reimage the HDD you have done, or you can buy a new HDD or SSD and reimage that drive.

But honestly I would try a different computer and got to the window website and make that boot up drive with a Flash Drive bigger than 3 GBS, and see if you can reimage your current computer.

I am sorry but if your OS will not boot from your current HDD you will have to get a new one and reimage that to Win 10 and then have them both plug in as your Primary HDD would be the new HDD and the slave HDD would be your old dead one, and once your new
HDD is ready to go and you can sign into your GUI you will be able to try to pull off the data from your old HDD and add it to your new HDD through the File System.

But either way your solution has come down to you will have to reimage something.

Because if you can still get into the BIOS and go to boot up option and tell the bios to boot up your Flash Drive first then you MAY get your computer back with Win 10 on it.

Website I am referring to: Download Windows 10

Thank you,

Nick

 

April Updates break symlinks?

I have a directory symlink setup so that I can put games on my SSD even though the full Origin/Steam/GoG libraries are on a HDD data disk.

As of this month's update the symlink no is no long read correctly. I have recreated it from an elevated command prompt, but it still fails. When I double click on it it goes to the folder (although that is labelled as in E: the HDD, not C: the SSD) and
launch the game in question all I get is "your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened."

I'm not accessing the internet, just another drive on the PC. For the sake of completeness I switched off the Firewall but that did nothing. I use Defender as AV so that shouldn't affect it. What has happened in this month's updates that would affect this
and how can I get around it?

 

I put such drives in a USB case and boot to a Linux Mint 18 LiveDVD to access and copy files to a second drive.
Or I will use a device such as shown here:
Amazon.com: Vantec CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter Supports 2.5-Inch, 3.5-Inch, 5.25-Inch Hard Disk Drives (Black): Electronics


What I've been using the last several months is a USB box that I can plug 2 x 3.5" SATA drives in, 2 x 2.5" SATA drivers or a combination of the 2.
Amazon.com: Thermaltake BlacX Duet eSATA USB Dual Hard Drives Docking Station ST0014U: Electronics
Granted, it may not be the most cost-effective for a one-time use but I tend to use it at least once a week.

 

Here's a much cheaper solution:
Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive with Power Adapter: Computers Accessories

 

Thanks guys...please excuse that I'm a little slow on the procedure here...if I go with one of these...what exactly is the procedure ? Since I have to have the problem HDD disconnected to get windows to start...can I then 'hot connect' the problem drive while Windows is running and one of these is installed and running on the PC ?

Not to much info on use on either Amazon product link...any step by step 'tutorials' out there for using these in my situation with an HDD that is power off/disconnected at windows boot time ??

Any instructions or videos out there for this procedure ? Saw no links for same on either Amazon page.

TiminAz

 

Hi,

These convertors are very straightforward. You've got the PSU and the connectors for SATA disks (both 3.5" and 2.5").
Just hook the disk up, plug the power cord in and with Windows running plug the USB cable into a free USB port.
Windows will recognize it and install driver and drive letter.
You can now start to use that drive provided it's in a usable state.

Cheers, *Wink

 

So to confirm...there are no issues in connecting/disconnection any Sata Hard Drive (other than boot drive) in the box with the machine/power on and Windows running ? For non boot drives....either power line and/or drive connector can be plugged or unplugged with the system running without issues ?

With the problem drive connected at boot....Windows does not boot

TiminAz

 

Hi,

Yep. Treat like any other external USB drive, plug in and eject when done.

Cheers, *Wink

 

BTW, it really isn't necessary to boot into Linux in order to do this. I've always simply used a USB/SATA cable to attach the drive to another Windows computer and copied files that way. The Mint LiveCD option mentioned above is really only needed if you don't have another bootable PC.