Hard drive Query

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Bluenose

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Geoff
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I have just disposed of an old computer but I have kept the hard drive from it. I am now using a Dell XPS 420 computer running Windows 7 and I am wondering if it is possible to connect this dard drive to the new pc to see if I can recover anything from it. Some while ago I lost a considerable amount of photographs after transferring them from this hard drive to my new pc. The piccy's transferred OK and I viewed them on numerous occasions but then I must have done something that resulted in the loss. I did format this hard drive after the transfer but I think that I have heard that it is sometimes possible to make some sort of recovery.

I have tried one or two recovery options on my new pc's hard drive but without success.

The hard drive is a Seagate - Model No. ST3120023A. I don't know if it will be compatible with my current pc and even whether the connections (pinwise) are the same.

If anyone can offer any help I will be most grateful. If responders need any additional information please ask. Many thanks in advance of any help.
 
Thanks for this. When I click on your link, I notice in the 'system requirements' that it doesn't mention Windows 7. Do you think that it will work with my OS?
I take it that my drive would be referred to as a 4" drive as that is the measurement across the narrow part (as opposed to 2.5" referred to into another reply) Thanks again.


arad85 said:
If you can't fit the drive in the PC, you can get a USB->IDE connector for about £20. They're slow, but will enable you to get the data off the drive... Like: http://www.shop.bt.com/products/sta...l?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product+search
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Bluenose said:
Thanks for this. When I click on your link, I notice in the 'system requirements' that it doesn't mention Windows 7. Do you think that it will work with my OS?
I take it that my drive would be referred to as a 4" drive as that is the measurement across the narrow part (as opposed to 2.5" referred to into another reply) Thanks again.
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Yours is a 3.5" drive (I think it refers to the size of the platters in the disk.

As to Win7, it should do - I have a very similar piece of equipment and that works fine on Win7 here.
 
arad85 said:
Yours is a 3.5" drive (I think it refers to the size of the platters in the disk.

As to Win7, it should do - I have a very similar piece of equipment and that works fine on Win7 here.
Click to expand...

Thanks for rephrasing my post :)
 
Hope said:
Thanks for rephrasing my post :)
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You're welcome... :)

I opened the post, started replying, then got distracted and replied 10 minutes later, by which time you had posted. I could have deleted the post, but that seemed to be a waste of time at the time, but would have saved the time I've spent replying to your post and typing all this out :D
 
Hi Andy, would this sort of thing do what I want? I'm not a pc boffin i'm afraid, just a grey haired old codger!
THAN YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE OFFERED HELP ON THIS, MOST GRATEFUL THANK YOU.



Mikesphotaes said:
Thanks for putting that idea in my head, Andy.

Went round to the local computer place and got a Logilink adapter and PSU that connects just about everything for a mere £17.50.
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Bluenose said:
Hi Andy, would this sort of thing do what I want?
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It's probably the easiest way of attaching the drive to the PC. The bigger issue is you mention you formatted the drive in the first post. Depending what you have done, you may not be able to get the info back at all...

It may be better to find alocal PC specialist who would help. May cost you a little more, but you'll have someone knowledgeable looking at it...
 
Hi again, Thanks for your input. Apart from the fact that I may not be able to recover the data, would the connector you mention be suitable for me to use the drive as an additional drive, i.e. to be able to use it as extra storage by writing to it or does it just enable you to read what is on the drive. Sorry if I appear a little dumb.


arad85 said:
It's probably the easiest way of attaching the drive to the PC. The bigger issue is you mention you formatted the drive in the first post. Depending what you have done, you may not be able to get the info back at all...

It may be better to find alocal PC specialist who would help. May cost you a little more, but you'll have someone knowledgeable looking at it...
Click to expand...
 
Bluenose said:
Hi again, Thanks for your input. Apart from the fact that I may not be able to recover the data, would the connector you mention be suitable for me to use the drive as an additional drive, i.e. to be able to use it as extra storage by writing to it or does it just enable you to read what is on the drive. Sorry if I appear a little dumb.
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Hi Geoff

Yes, you can use it for that if you want, but a MUCH neater solution if you intend on doing that would be something like: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190604 as then it becomes a USB drive. The only problem with something like that is they often have fans in which can be quite noisy
 
That looks pretty useful, I think I will order one now. Thanks for that. Regards, Geoff


arad85 said:
Hi Geoff

Yes, you can use it for that if you want, but a MUCH neater solution if you intend on doing that would be something like: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190604 as then it becomes a USB drive. The only problem with something like that is they often have fans in which can be quite noisy
Click to expand...
 
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