Hey guys. As usual when I have nowhere to turn I post on this forum. Hope I can get some good advice.
My wife's 2004 Thinkpad G40 is on its last legs. I just got her a new Viao over the weekend.
The thinkpad is running super-slow, but it works. I want to get the files off.
Option A is upload to our online backup which takes forever, especially the pictures. Occasionally it crashes during the backup so not much fun.
Option B is use a USB flash drive. Always worked before but now when I put it in and try to access the drive, message says drive needs formatting. WTH??
Option C take it over to Geek Squad or some other data recovery place to save my time and hassle. But I fear some hack might wreck it and lose it all. Data files are no big deal but we got a couple hundred photos on there we'd like to keep.
Anyone have ideas or suggestions? Is there a relatively easy thing I can check to see why it's running so slow? Task manager, performance, etc. looks normal.
USB drive is the best option, IMO. Try another drive if you have one handy or if it's not empty, copy all files to new laptop and then format it on old laptop.
Another option is if you have a recordable CD or DVD drive to record files on to a disk.
Last option is to remove HD from old laptop and put in a external USB case and connect it to the new laptop.
Hey thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately CD writer on this Thinkpad died a while back. I've tried 2 identical flash drives we have and they both give me this weird format error.
I'm intrigued by the external USB case idea. Is that something the average Joe can do? Where would I buy one? Once connected to my new computer will it just pop up a nice window with a drive letter and I just pick what I want? Sounds too good to be true...
I use a 40GB and an 250GB external harddrive (the size of a PDA in a nice little case).. I never save anything on any of my computers... that way I have access to all my files on my home computer and my laptop and when I get to the office I plug in my 40GB and I work from that. This way I dont rely on any single computer for my files. I back everything up on my 250GB so it stays pretty current. Sometimes when I travel, all I take is my cell phone with email access and my HD for access to all my files, and plug into any computer/ businees center at airports, hotels etc. And yes, when you plug in the external drive, you can then go to "my computer" and it will be there for you to start your copying. This is a very very inexpensive way to keep organized.
I'm intrigued by the external USB case idea. Is that something the average Joe can do? Where would I buy one? Once connected to my new computer will it just pop up a nice window with a drive letter and I just pick what I want? Sounds too good to be true...
However, before you attempt to do this, I'd look into the USB issue you're having. After all, if your USB port is having a problem, you may encounter some similar issues when you connect your enclosure.
Do you have an empty USB key? Or is it possible to dump the current contents so you can try formatting?
Location: Whitby..... proud member of the East End Posse, looking for an RFE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by GettReal
I use a 40GB and an 250GB external harddrive (the size of a PDA in a nice little case).. I never save anything on any of my computers... that way I have access to all my files on my home computer and my laptop and when I get to the office I plug in my 40GB and I work from that. This way I dont rely on any single computer for my files. I back everything up on my 250GB so it stays pretty current. Sometimes when I travel, all I take is my cell phone with email access and my HD for access to all my files, and plug into any computer/ businees center at airports, hotels etc. And yes, when you plug in the external drive, you can then go to "my computer" and it will be there for you to start your copying. This is a very very inexpensive way to keep organized.
What make/model are the ones you have? as I would like to buy one. Being non-geek, I need a name/type/model etc cause if I go into Best Buy they'll have 50 gillion of em and I won't know what to get
What make/model are the ones you have? as I would like to buy one. Being non-geek, I need a name/type/model etc cause if I go into Best Buy they'll have 50 gillion of em and I won't know what to get
My 40GB is an older one made by pocketec, Ive had it for a couple years ...NO issues with it at all... but the 250GB you can find here..
Yep, thats why this is the back up one hehe.. and not the portable one I use.
I'm sure there are tons of good deals on this stuff now, I dont go too crazy looking for the BEST deal since they are all pretty cheap. Most of you guys are all WAY better gadget shoppers then I am so I will let you recommend where and what.
As others have suggested an external Hard Drive is the best way to go for ongoing backups which you should start doing as soon as you dodge this bullet. If the external USB hard drive does not work what you may want to consider is an adapter like this.
What it will allow you to do is connect your 2.5" laptop hard drive to a desktop IDE controller and slave it to try and copy off the data. If you have a newer computer with SATA controllers only there are ones that can do that as well but they are a little more expensive.
You said you are running a backup you can try just manually copying the data off, more time consuming but it may overtime allow you to copy off everything.
Lasty you could purchase a cross over cable and connect the Vaio and TP together and share and mout the C drive of the TP on the Vaio and try copying it over. X-over cables are cheap (less than $10) and are usually coloured red.
If I remember correctly you are in Newmarket area. If you want, I have enclosure for the laptop drives. You simply take out the HD from your laptop and put it in the case. Then you can connect to any computer and download the data. I also have a USB external HD (250 GB) that will work.
You are welcome to either of those. If you need help taking out the hard drive, I can show you how.
Another option if both machines have Ethernet would be to get an Ethernet crossover cable (or a small hub/switch and 2 regular cables) and put the 2 machines together on a network. You then set the hard drive on the old PC to share mode and on the new PC go to "My Network Places" and view "workgroup computers". If things are properly configured you should see the old PC and just double click on it then double click on the C: drive. Then the folders you want to copy can be dragged to the desktop of your new PC or whatever folder you want them in. Sounds complicated but it works good.
Or there may be a way if both machines have an infrared port, we used to be able to just point 2 Thinkpads at each other and they would sense each other and then ask what files you wanted to copy!
If I remember correctly you are in Newmarket area. If you want, I have enclosure for the laptop drives. You simply take out the HD from your laptop and put it in the case. Then you can connect to any computer and download the data. I also have a USB external HD (250 GB) that will work.
You are welcome to either of those. If you need help taking out the hard drive, I can show you how.
Wow isn't this forum great? Great offer and you remembered I'm in the area! I'll let you know... but I already ordered myself one of those units.
This is making me wonder why I haven't showed up at any events yet to actually meet some people on this board. What's coming up? I should do this before our baby #3 comes next month.
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