How to recover Files , Photos etc from.my old HDD

glasskuter · Aug 18, 2022

It depends on the model of old PC that it is in as to how it is mounted. Some are held in by screws, some have caddies. Some slide into cages that have to be released first. What is the make and model of the old PC.

Bree · Aug 18, 2022

can you post a screenshot?

Or at least tell us the make and model of the old PC?

bobkn · Aug 18, 2022

Bree said:
Maybe because you're not based in the UK like Barnaby44 and me? Says in stock for me....

(snip)

Probably so.

I'm not up to spoofing my (US) location to check.

Bree · Aug 18, 2022

bobkn said:
I'm not up to spoofing my (US) location to check.

There's a US version of that link, I see it as in stock there too.....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EHDTRJ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Winuser · Aug 18, 2022

Bree said:
Maybe because you're not based in the UK like Barnaby44 and me? Says in stock for me....

View attachment 36778

I think you are correct. It seems that it's not available in the US.

Edit: When I clicked on the posted link, I get a not available message. When I logged into my Amazon account and did a search, it is available for $32.99.

Barnaby44 · Aug 18, 2022

Ok Gents my old pc is a Mesh and the case is a Thermatake, see photo.

From the 4 steps above I can only find 1 screw of the 4 they mention at step 3.
The cage is loose but I can't release it, nor can I find the tool free clip at step 4 that secures the cage.
I think this may be what is holding onto it.

I'll have another look tomorrow.

Thanks

SIW2 · Aug 18, 2022

we still dont know the model. Is it a secret?

Winuser · Aug 18, 2022

Barnaby44 said:
Ok Gents my old pc is a Mesh and the case is a Thermatake, see photo.

View attachment 36818

From the 4 steps above I can only find 1 screw of the 4 they mention at step 3.
The cage is loose but I can't release it, nor can I find the tool free clip at step 4 that secures the cage.
I think this may be what is holding onto it.

I'll have another look tomorrow.

Thanks

You don't have to remove any screws. The tray is supposed to slide out when you squeeze the clips. I had an old computer that used the same type of tool-free caddy that wouldn't release. If I remember correctly, I had to use a screwdriver to bend the clip before the tray would slide out.

Winuser · Aug 18, 2022

SIW2 said:
we still dont know the model. Is it a secret?

No model needed. The picture shows that the computer uses a tool-free caddy. They just need to find out why the tray won't slide out when they squeeze the clips.

Winuser · Aug 18, 2022

I don't know if you found the clips or not, but they are on the sides of the caddy.

badrobot · Aug 18, 2022

It doesn't have to be a dock or a USB adapter. You probably have extra sata slot on your mobo. Sata and power cables are cheap. Or maybe you have a spare or borrow from another PC. No need for a bay on the case. Just let it sit there until you are done recovering all your files.

Barnaby44 · Aug 19, 2022

Thanks Winuser & badrobot that's a help.

Winuser :>>> looking at the photo above there are clips you screw drivered on either side, I have 2 on each side.
I'm about to try to release them now.

badrobot:>>> yes i was thinking of trying that if the leads are long enough but it would be much easier to have the drive out if IF I can.

Thanks both again.

Barnaby44 · Aug 19, 2022

OK, short update.
Still not free.
My 3.5 HDD sits in a caddy which is then pushed into the bay. The HDD plug end I can wiggle about but the other end is hard up against a fan and appears to be stuck at that end.
The clips that Winuser talks about look like they will only release the caddy.
Can I get the HDD out of the caddy while it is still in the PC or should it release it; as I suspect the screws will be holding it to the caddy and they are not visible until it is out of the pc.

I'm going to remove the fan in case the caddy is meant to come out that way as step 4 in the photo seems to imply.

Barnaby44 · Aug 19, 2022

SUCCESS looking back at the photo the sketch with 2 and 3 on it is showing 3 caddies together. I was trying to remove just one [1].
I removed another screw and the caddy complete with the fan slipped out then some hidden screws in the caddy see numbe 3 could be removed, whoo hoo I have the HDD on my desk.

EDIT I'll have a go now with the HDD adapter but that is something I've not done before either. Time for a cup of twa and a read up.

Spunk · Aug 21, 2022

Once you connect the HDD with the USB HDD Adapter and plug it into the Back USB port of a computer, it should come up as another drive in File (Windows) Explorer or This PC. You should be able view the files, and you can drag and drop those files to another drive.

Winuser · Aug 21, 2022

I recommend that you copy and paste the files and not cut and paste them. This way you don't have to worry about something going wrong and losing your files. If you drag and drop them. make sure it says copy and not move.

Bree · Aug 21, 2022

There will probably be some folders that you don't have permissions to look inside. If so, then you can take ownership of the folder and give your account permission.

Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10

How to Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 and Windows 11

www.tenforums.com

Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10

Change Permissions of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key for Users and Groups in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Barnaby44 · Aug 21, 2022

Thanks all those last three post give me some direction regarding copying files etc.
This Uniteck adapter has a "One Touch Back up" OTB feature. On the face of it this seems like it will copy every file with only one button touch, not sure I want every thing copying but then I suppose I can delete the not required files?

What should I do about similar/same named files that exist already on my new PC with the ones I'm copying across. Some will exist on my C: drive while the recovered ones will be to a different drive but will have the same file name. Can I substitute them into my C; drive to avoid duplication?

Not done anything today eldest Grandson is 17 today [Sunday] so we've been eating cake and partying.

Best

Winuser · Aug 21, 2022

Barnaby44 said:
Thanks all those last three post give me some direction regarding copying files etc.
This Uniteck adapter has a "One Touch Back up" OTB feature. On the face of it this seems like it will copy every file with only one button touch, not sure I want every thing copying but then I suppose I can delete the not required files?

What should I do about similar/same named files that exist already on my new PC with the ones I'm copying across. Some will exist on my C: drive while the recovered ones will be to a different drive but will have the same file name. Can I substitute them into my C; drive to avoid duplication?

Not done anything today eldest Grandson is 17 today [Sunday] so we've been eating cake and partying.

Best

If you save the files to a different location, having the same file name won't matter.

Barnaby44 · Aug 30, 2022

Hello, just an update as since my last post family business & real life issues have taken over for a little while.

Thanks for all your direction and assistance given which I'm hoping to get started with this week but if not definitely next week.

Cheers