[kennyrosenyc]

So I had a complete system meltdown and can't get my computer to boot at all. I can hear the fan struggling to start but otherwise it's no dice. So I'm looking at a new computer and just want to know if there is a safe way to transfer my old files from my old drive to the new one.

[LincolnSpector]

kennyrosenyc, on 11 November 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

So I had a complete system meltdown and can't get my computer to boot at all. I can hear the fan struggling to start but otherwise it's no dice. So I'm looking at a new computer and just want to know if there is a safe way to transfer my old files from my old drive to the new one.

If you can't boot at all, you'll probably have to remove the hard drive from the old computer and attach it to the new one as a second drive. If the new PC is a desktop, you can install it. If not, you can use an SATA/USB or IDE/USB adapter to turn the old drive into a temporary external drive.

Lincoln

[coastie65]

Ok. Before you start thinking new computer, if you have a spare power supply, you might want yo try that and see if it will start. Sounds like the power supply may be just about gone ( for all intents and purposes, shot ).

[Rommel]

coastie65, on 11 November 2011 - 09:51 AM, said:

Ok. Before you start thinking new computer, if you have a spare power supply, you might want yo try that and see if it will start. Sounds like the power supply may be just about gone ( for all intents and purposes, shot ).

I agree with coastie.
You said your fan is struggling to start.

Hopefully you have a spare or you can borrow one.

If indeed the pc is shot, Lincoln has you covered.

[LiveBrianD]

I agree with Lincoln's idea. So the PC isn't getting through POST? (showing the manufacturer logo and stuff) The PSU could fix that. Alternatively, it could be the motherboard. I had a dell that would crash soon after it booted into windows (~half a minute later), and the motherboard was bad. Nothing else fixed it.

[Dellinsp531]

If the problem is with the hard drive not PSU, than you can use a Linux boot cd like Puppy linx or DSL (Damn Small Linux) and boot from the CD or USB, than copy your files over. Linux is good at reading damaged hard drive.

If it is a PSU, than you either have to replace it or remove the hard drive and attached to another computer like people mentioned above.

This post has been edited by Dellinsp531: 14 November 2011 - 01:18 PM