How do I back up my hard drive?

[kmote]

But if the HDD has some sort of problem, would it work? I took it to best buy, and they said that they're computer blue screened as soon as they inserted it.

Ignore what best buy did and said, they were doing it wrong.
If there is something physically wrong with the hardware then to do it properly you should take it to a data recovery specialist and they will charge you a lot to get it done right. One thing you can try is the fridge trick but that might just make it worse.
However, it is far more likely to be a software issue in which case you could boot off a linux live cd and recover your data that way or you could take the drive out and access it from another PC.

 

[Sheepykins]

the fridge trick will only work if the moving parts of the drive are being obstructed as it cools the metal down, so far he can still access the drive so dont put it in the fridge,

if the system files have been corrupted somehow then the rest of your data is probably intact so bung it into an external caddie and USB it, and just drag the files over.

as for best buy they have set prices on anything, there are specific machines and software for forensic data recovery but i dont believe thats the case here and thats mainly what they charge for.

most technicians who work in retail are trained with equipment and ways of dragging out a PC solution so they can make more money.

so yeah bung it in another PC and just pull the files across IMO.

and dont put it in the fridge

 

[hikaricloud]

the fridge trick will only work if the moving parts of the drive are being obstructed as it cools the metal down

If there is something physically wrong with the hardware then to do it properly you should take it to a data recovery specialist and they will charge you a lot to get it done right. One thing you can try is the fridge trick but that might just make it worse.

He said if something was physically wrong with the hardware, you could try the fridge trick.

so far he can still access the drive so dont put it in the fridge,

Where does it say that he can still access the drive, first of all? Best buy got a BSOD (not that they're the smartest bunch in the first place), and so far he hasn't had any other options to stick the drive into a machine.

Also, he already gave a decent solution:

However, it is far more likely to be a software issue in which case you could boot off a linux live cd and recover your data that way or you could take the drive out and access it from another PC.

The LiveCD would be the most useful if he has an external drive, or a jump drive with a place to dump the files if need be.

Otherwise, you're looking at plugging it into another PC. Now this could be really simple, or a big pain.

The simple way is if your HDD is SATA based. In which case, all you need is a PC with a SATA connector and a cable. The not so simple way is if it's IDE based, in which case you will need to pick up that converter, one similar to what was linked earlier.

There is no guarantee that you will be able to back up anything from the drive, but chances are you should be alright.

 

[Notedog]

How do I tell what size my hdd is? It was for a Dell inspiron laptop. I measured it long ways, and it was about 3.7 inches, and I measured it wide ways, and it was 2.65 inches. Is 2.5 and 3.5 the only size? If so, I'm guessing mine is one of those, and that I should just order the product that one guy showed to me.

 

[Notedog]

He said if something was physically wrong with the hardware, you could try the fridge trick.



Where does it say that he can still access the drive, first of all? Best buy got a BSOD (not that they're the smartest bunch in the first place), and so far he hasn't had any other options to stick the drive into a machine.

Also, he already gave a decent solution:



The LiveCD would be the most useful if he has an external drive, or a jump drive with a place to dump the files if need be.

Otherwise, you're looking at plugging it into another PC. Now this could be really simple, or a big pain.

The simple way is if your HDD is SATA based. In which case, all you need is a PC with a SATA connector and a cable. The not so simple way is if it's IDE based, in which case you will need to pick up that converter, one similar to what was linked earlier.

There is no guarantee that you will be able to back up anything from the drive, but chances are you should be alright.

Ok, so how do I know whether I'm SATA or IDE based?

 

[hikaricloud]

If it's a laptop, it'll be 2.5 for sure.

Check this out for telling which HDD you have:

 

[Notedog]

Nm, my hdd says SATA on the back of it. I have a gateway PC, but it doesn't have any connection point for my hdd on the outside. Should I still just go with the converter?

 

[Notedog]

Ok, so how do I know whether I'm SATA or IDE based?

If it's a laptop, it'll be 2.5 for sure.

Check this out for telling which HDD you have:

Yep, definitely sata.

 

[Notedog]

Should I buy this 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 and connect my HDD to it?

 

[Notedog]

Hello, sorry, I don't mean to be rude or impatient, and I apologize for the double posts, but I feel like were on the verge of the solution. Does anyone know the answer to my question? I just have to purchase this device...

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

and connect my hdd to it, and drag the files over?