Hey everybody. I have made the mistake of not backing up some important files on a computer at work. This computer was connected to an APC battery unit, which lost power. Now the computer won't start (even when connected to a normal outlet) and I need to recover these files by whatever means possible. I'll describe the troubleshooting I've done so far:
-Computer will not power on when connected to a known good outlet (CPU fan doesn't spin, no LED's come on).
-Disconnected power switch wires from motherboard. Connected wires to multimeter and verified continuity when pressing power button.
-Unplugged all power supply connections from motherboard and drives. Plugged power supply to a known good outlet. Shorted pins 15 and 16 on the 24 pin connector. Power supply fan runs. Checked voltages with a multimeter (3.3V, 5V, 12V) and all were very close, except one of the connectors which read 3.0V. (I read that this is out of spec, but not by much) It seems to me that there might be a motherboard or CPU problem, since it isn't starting at all (CPU fan does NOT spin when I press the power button, and no LED's come on).
-Removed hard drive from computer and connected this hard drive (via Power supply and SATA connections) to a known good computer. The other computer recognizes the hard drive in BIOS. However, within the Windows 7 OS, I can't see the files on the hard drive. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying the issue by thinking I can simply swap hard drives and access the files on the swapped drive. If this won't work, is there a reasonable way to accomplish the same thing? I know that the broken computer was running Windows, although I can't remember which version.
Worst case scenario, can I take the hard drive to a computer tech shop and see if they can access the files?
I appreciate any and all help.
-Computer will not power on when connected to a known good outlet (CPU fan doesn't spin, no LED's come on).
-Disconnected power switch wires from motherboard. Connected wires to multimeter and verified continuity when pressing power button.
-Unplugged all power supply connections from motherboard and drives. Plugged power supply to a known good outlet. Shorted pins 15 and 16 on the 24 pin connector. Power supply fan runs. Checked voltages with a multimeter (3.3V, 5V, 12V) and all were very close, except one of the connectors which read 3.0V. (I read that this is out of spec, but not by much) It seems to me that there might be a motherboard or CPU problem, since it isn't starting at all (CPU fan does NOT spin when I press the power button, and no LED's come on).
-Removed hard drive from computer and connected this hard drive (via Power supply and SATA connections) to a known good computer. The other computer recognizes the hard drive in BIOS. However, within the Windows 7 OS, I can't see the files on the hard drive. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying the issue by thinking I can simply swap hard drives and access the files on the swapped drive. If this won't work, is there a reasonable way to accomplish the same thing? I know that the broken computer was running Windows, although I can't remember which version.
Worst case scenario, can I take the hard drive to a computer tech shop and see if they can access the files?
I appreciate any and all help.
