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Author Topic: Retrieving data from old HDD  (Read 4324 times)

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richie m

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    Retrieving data from old HDD
    « on: March 09, 2011, 09:44:59 AM »
    Hi, i've bought an Allcam enclosure for an old IDE drive with the intention of retrieving data form it, pictures etc. When i've plugged the USB into my windows 7 laptop it say's the driver software has been installed but the drive doesn't appear in computer.

    According to their website this is because the old HDD was formatted as FAT32. So how can i recover my files?

    Any help is gratefully received.

    Geek-9pm


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    Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
    « Reply #1 on: March 09, 2011, 10:22:27 AM »
    Windows 7 reads FAT32 and NTFS.
    The drive needs to  have power.  Or more better power.
    Why not mount the drive inside the Desktop PC case?
    Use the cable from the CD-Drive. Get the files of the drive. Then remove and put the cable back on the CD-Drive.
    That is as simple as it gets.

    BTW, you already know not to do any cable swapping while power is on. Just want  anybody else to know.

    OOPs just now saw you  have a laptop. Find a friend with a desktop.

    soybean



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    Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
    « Reply #2 on: March 09, 2011, 10:26:06 AM »
    Quote
    According to their website this is because the old HDD was formatted as FAT32.
    Can you cite the specific web page stating that?  It makes no sense.  Your computer should recognize it just like it would recognize a flash drive formatted as FAT32.  So, I suspect other issues here. 

    Is the external enclosure powered by an AC adapter or just powered by the USB port?  Is the hard drive a 3.5" or 2.5"?  If powered by an AC adapter, did you have it powered on when you connect it to your computer?  Exactly what happens when you connect the external enclosure to your computer? 

    Just saw Geek-9pm's post.  I agree with asking someone to use their computer for this.

    Linux711



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    Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
    « Reply #3 on: March 09, 2011, 10:39:54 AM »
    Make sure the jumper is set to master.
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    richie m

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      Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
      « Reply #4 on: March 09, 2011, 04:09:08 PM »
      Soybean, it's powered by an adapter. When i first plugged in the USB it installed the driver, then nothing, the drive doesn't show up in my computer, i can hear the drive turning so it's working. The drive is an old 3.5" IDE out of my old desktop, the girlfriend complained about the old computer cluttering up the place so i pulled the drive out and got rid of it. New desktop has a SATA drive, not sure i can plug the IDE drive into it.

      Allcam website - http://www.allcam.biz/support/fixblackcyclone.htm

      "Warning again, if your hard drive has data inside, and it is recognised by the computer (as per step above), but not showing in "Computer", it means it was formated as FAT32 or other formats Win 7/VISTA no long support. You can reformat it as NTFS but you will lose all the data."

      Linux711, there was only one jumper on the drive, i took it off, not to sure how to configure it to master.

      Thanks for your suggestions.

      patio

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      Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
      « Reply #5 on: March 09, 2011, 04:23:22 PM »
      Make sure the jumper is set to master.

      1st ignore the post above...

      2nd do not format it NTFS as your data will be gone...
      3rd NTFS systems will read FAT32 fine as long as the drive is still functioning properly...just because it spins up is no barometer of this...

      See Here...

      You may also want to run chkdsk /r on the drive 1st before attempting data retrieval....this would be after you followed the link above...
      " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

      BC_Programmer


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      Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
      « Reply #6 on: March 09, 2011, 06:02:48 PM »
      Quote
      it means it was formated as FAT32 or other formats Win 7/VISTA no long support.
      This is simply wrong. Windows 7 and Vista support FAT32 and FAT16 just as well as previous versions.
      I was trying to dereference Null Pointers before it was cool.

      Geek-9pm


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      Re: Retrieving data from old HDD
      « Reply #7 on: March 09, 2011, 08:18:34 PM »
      The OP needs to know the QC of those USB adapters varies widely. I have blown  ut so many I don't want to talk about it. Just one mistake and they are toast.  :'(