Newbie question about my hard drive

[jackhammerjones]

Hey all. My laptop just died, well actually the screen died I think. I have toshiba satellite L 500 D. What I was wondering is there anyway I can salvage my hard drive? Or can I install it on another laptop?

[patio]

You can remove the HDD...place it in an external enclosure ...and have full access to it on any other PC.

NOTE: Placing it into another laptop it'll probably fail to boot if it's Win XP or newer...this is by design....however it does not need to be able to boot to access the data.

[jackhammerjones]

so  can I use the hard drive again? or will I just be able to get the data from it and that's it? I'm not that great with computers so forgive me if I'm asking stupid questions

[Allan]

First, they are not stupid questions. Second, as long as the drive itself is not damaged or the cause of your problem then yes, you may certainly continue to use it. Last, perhaps you'd like to explain exactly what happened with your laptop - if it's not a dead screen, it may be something with which we can help.

[Trafalgar]

How did it died? If it didn't burnt or fall of the building, yes you can pull something out of your hard drive 

[patio]

How did it died? If it didn't burnt or fall of the building, yes you can pull something out of your hard drive 

You can safely ignore this...

Trafalgar you are on shallow ground judging by Today's posts.

[jackhammerjones]

First, they are not stupid questions. Second, as long as the drive itself is not damaged or the cause of your problem then yes, you may certainly continue to use it. Last, perhaps you'd like to explain exactly what happened with your laptop - if it's not a dead screen, it may be something with which we can help.

Ok Allan. Here's what happened, I was using the laptop like an hour before this happened, I cloed the laptop, then I went to turn it on again I could hear the computer starting up but the screen wouldn't come on at all.Does this sound like something I could fix? Or is it easier to just go buy a new one? Oh BTW the warranty was up 5 months ago. If you need more info just let me know. Thank You so much Allan your Awesome

[Allan]

So you see NOTHING on the screen at all, even before it goes to Windows?

[jackhammerjones]

I see Nothing at all. It just doesn't come on at all. I tried taking the battery out and holding down on the power button.Nothing. I held down on the power button to turn it on and it turns on but the screen doesn't come on at all

[Allan]

Okay, well I agree that it does sound like a hardware issue that would have to be addressed by a technician. Could be the screen, could be the display adapter, could be the cable connecting the screen to the motherboard. Hardware isn't my area of expertise so perhaps someone else might have some thoughts - otherwise your diagnosis is very possibly correct.

[jackhammerjones]

Thank You for your help

[Allan]

Sure. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.