Blank Computer Screen / Need Help Retrieving Files Then Formatting Hard Drive

[apparentlystupid]

My computer recently stopped turning on. It is just a black screen when you hit power. It has power going to it. And the fan and power light goes on, but nothing happens. I am trying to get some old files from my computer and then format it so nothing is on there anymore. Please Help!

[Lisa_maree]

Hi

Do you have another computer you can use to access the drive?

If so there is a procedure here  http://www.wikihow.com/Add-an-Extra-Hard-Drive

If you used a password to log onto windows then there is a few extra steps you will need to do.

To destroy the data I use Lowvel from here  http://www.lowlevelformat.info/using-lowvel.aspx. Be very careful with this program as it will make data recovery from the drive impossible.

[Geek-9pm]

From the CH archives:
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/slave.htm

The OP did not mention make and model or age of the computer.

New PCs in the past few years have SATA for the hard drive. Standard Desktops always have two SATA ports Do the drive can be mad a slave to another Desktop.

Otherwise, people get a USB enclosure to transfer data from an old drive. Here is a shameless advertisement for a USB drive enclosure.

How to install an IDE Hard Drive into a USB Enclosure
It is a good tutorial. But you don't have to buy their product.
Shop around and find enclosures that do both PATA and SATA.
On eBas under $35 for very nice little box.