External Hard drives

**cyclonedave25** · 06-15-2008, 12:45 PM

My computer is pretty messed up. It won't start up all the way, i keep getting a blue screen error, and it isn't letting me reinstall windows. I have some data and files that I would really like back. So, is it possible to take the hard drive out, install it into an external hard drive case, and then retrieve my files from that?

**rworkman83** · 06-15-2008, 12:47 PM

Are you using Vista? I've been having almost the same exact issues as you have.

**cyclonedave25** · 06-15-2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by rworkman83

Are you using Vista? I've been having almost the same exact issues as you have.

Nope, XP. This is like the 3rd time i've had problems with this computer, and this time being the worst. I can't even start in safe mode.

**TykeClone** · 06-15-2008, 12:52 PM

Either way, the answer is yes.

Another alternative is to just get an external hard drive and boot to knoppix or some other "live cd" operating system.

that will let you copy everything from your hard drive to the external drive before reinstalling windows as a clean install.

**cyclonedave25** · 06-15-2008, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by TykeClone

Either way, the answer is yes.

Another alternative is to just get an external hard drive and boot to knoppix or some other "live cd" operating system.

that will let you copy everything from your hard drive to the external drive before reinstalling windows as a clean install.

Is knoppix tough to use? (as in confusing for somebody not the smartest with computers)

**TykeClone** · 06-15-2008, 01:03 PM

KNOPPIX Linux Live CD

Just download and burn. Have the external hard drive attached when you boot to the CD. You might need to "mount" the hard drive as writeable (it's been a while, but if you right click on the icon on the desktop that's an option.

Then just open the konquerer icon (I think, it's been a while since I've done this - whatever they use that's the equivalent of the windows explorer icon) and double click on the external hard drive. After that, it's just drag and drop.

don't let knoppix scare you - it IS linux, but all you're using it for is to back up you system before wiping it.

if you don't like knoppix, I think that ubuntu also has a live cd available.

**cyclonedave25** · 06-15-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by TykeClone

KNOPPIX Linux Live CD

Just download and burn. Have the external hard drive attached when you boot to the CD. You might need to "mount" the hard drive as writeable (it's been a while, but if you right click on the icon on the desktop that's an option.

Then just open the konquerer icon (I think, it's been a while since I've done this - whatever they use that's the equivalent of the windows explorer icon) and double click on the external hard drive. After that, it's just drag and drop.

don't let knoppix scare you - it IS linux, but all you're using it for is to back up you system before wiping it.

if you don't like knoppix, I think that ubuntu also has a live cd available.

Okie dokie, thanks a lot!