safe data on dead computer

My friend has a notebook that just died, I believe it is the power supply inside the computer, she wants to get her school files off the hard drive. The OS loaded is XP home. How can I get this off for her, I am thinking of putting the drive in my external case to take data off, or can I put it in my notebook to load it up and burn it to a cd? Will windows security features be a problem for this?

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

The best way is to put it into an externl case and try to get the data. You should be able to access it unless they encrypted it or changed the file permissions. You cannot install the drive in your notebook unless it is the exact same make and model; the reason is it will try to use the drivers for her notebook. It's best to use the external case, that way you don't modify her hard drive at all.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

when i get it from here I will try the external drive but she dose use a password to sign into her computer so I think its encrypted rigth? If so what are my options?


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

Data is Data. The password is only to start windows. Data should transfer fine. Programs, however, won't transfer as nicely unless she has the installer for the program on the HD.

First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?

 

I thought windows XP has 128 bit incryption on the user data?

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by DaGreek

 

well i geuss i'll find out when I get my hands on the drive.

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

When the owner of the laptop created the user account, if he/she chose to "make files privite" then the data cannot simply be "copied and pasted." What you will have to do is hook the drive up to a computer running XP Pro, and "take ownership" of the files.

To take ownership of a folder, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click your user name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
5. Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:
You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?

All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes.
Note folder name is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of.
6. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.
Back to the top
How to take ownership of a file
Note You must be logged on to the computer with an account that has administrative credentials.

To take ownership of a file, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
3. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
4. In the Name list, click Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.

The administrator or the Administrators group now owns the file. To change the permissions on the files and folders under this folder, go to step 5.
5. Click Add.
6. In the Enter the object names to select (examples) list, type the user or group account that you want to give access to the file. For example, type Administrator.
7. Click OK.
8. In the Group or user names list, click the account that you want, and then select the check boxes of the permissions that you want to assign that user.
9. When you are finished assigning permissions, click OK.

Sharp AL27, Athlon 64 2700+ 60Gb hdd, 512Mb mem, 64Mb vid, superbright lcd. Great choice for business use.

 

that sounds like really good directions, thanks a lot! I will post after I've tried it, right now I don't have her computer, they are not in a hurry sense they are still shopping for a new one so I geuss I'll get the old hard drive once they need and can use the data on it.

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115