Need help recovering files from dead WinXP computer's HDD

fleurya · fleurya #1 (**permalink**)

11-17-2010, 02:01 PM

My sister's desktop has just quit working, probably the power supply, but I don't want to buy a new one only to find out it is something else. She just wants to get her files off of it (pictures and stuff).

What's the best way to do this? I heard WinXP can run from a USB drive, so I was thinking of buying an enclosure and running it through Bootcamp, but it's totally different hard, so I don't know if that will work. Could I just do the same thing, but pull the files off within OSX by browsing the drive?

Any other options or ideas would be appreciated.

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #2 (**permalink**)

11-17-2010, 02:16 PM

I would get a HDD enclosure to USB and take all the files off onto another computer. You can usually pick one up off ebay for like £5 ($10) ish

- Simon

chscag · chscag #3 (**permalink**)

11-17-2010, 02:48 PM

It may be easier and less expensive to replace the PS. Power supplies for most desktop PC computers are inexpensive and easy to change out. The exception is if she owns a Dell, Compaq, HP, or some other brand that uses proprietary components.

You can not use the hard drive with XP on it via USB in Boot Camp as it will not work. Using an external carrier as Buzzard suggests should work to remove the files from it.

fleurya · fleurya #4 (**permalink**)

11-17-2010, 03:20 PM

Since I'm not even sure if it's the PS, mobo, or something else, I think I'll just go with an enclosure for recovery. I just wasn't sure if simply sticking the computer's HDD in an enclosure and plugging it in would allow me to view/copy it's files from my Mac.

I wonder if I could even crack open and temporarily swap out the HDD in my Western Digital external drive. Then I wouldn't have to buy anything.

Thanks for the help!

chscag · chscag #5 (**permalink**)

11-17-2010, 03:39 PM

Yeah you could that, but of course that voids the WD warranty.

fleurya #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 18, 2006 Location: Anytown, USA Posts: 4,924 Mac Specs: 27" iMac 2.7GHz Core i5, iPhone 4S, 3rd gen iPad	11-17-2010, 02:01 PM My sister's desktop has just quit working, probably the power supply, but I don't want to buy a new one only to find out it is something else. She just wants to get her files off of it (pictures and stuff). What's the best way to do this? I heard WinXP can run from a USB drive, so I was thinking of buying an enclosure and running it through Bootcamp, but it's totally different hard, so I don't know if that will work. Could I just do the same thing, but pull the files off within OSX by browsing the drive? Any other options or ideas would be appreciated. "Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others"
	QUOTE Thanks

Buzzard2010 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bretforton, Worcestershire Posts: 2,571 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 15" 2014, 2.2GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 250GB SSD, OSX 10.9.5 - iPhone 5s 16gb	11-17-2010, 02:16 PM I would get a HDD enclosure to USB and take all the files off onto another computer. You can usually pick one up off ebay for like £5 ($10) ish - Simon If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system at the top right of their post. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

fleurya #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 18, 2006 Location: Anytown, USA Posts: 4,924 Mac Specs: 27" iMac 2.7GHz Core i5, iPhone 4S, 3rd gen iPad	11-17-2010, 03:20 PM Since I'm not even sure if it's the PS, mobo, or something else, I think I'll just go with an enclosure for recovery. I just wasn't sure if simply sticking the computer's HDD in an enclosure and plugging it in would allow me to view/copy it's files from my Mac. I wonder if I could even crack open and temporarily swap out the HDD in my Western Digital external drive. Then I wouldn't have to buy anything. Thanks for the help! "Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others"
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 42,685 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i5, 3.2 GHz, iPad 3, iPhone 5c, 3 iPods, Yosemite	11-17-2010, 03:39 PM Yeah you could that, but of course that voids the WD warranty. COMMUNITY RULES Writing a Quality Post
	QUOTE Thanks

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