 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Windows Forum / Windows 98 / General Topics / October 2007Removing a hard drive from a desktop
A friend's eight-year-old Windows 98 SE Dell Dimension recently came to the end of its days. The hard drive stopped being accessible. She's throwing the computer out, but wants to keep the hard drive around for possible recovery of data at some point, namely her huge e-mail folder. I was trying to remove the hard drive. I disconnected all the cables, but the hard drive seems immovable. I thought that hard drives were supposed to be relatively easy to remove. I see no moving parts or clips or anything that would enable me to take it out. There are some small screw heads in the corners of the hard drive, but they looked too "locked" into place to be regular screws that can loosen the hard drive from the computer. Any ideas? Thanks, Larry Go here: http://support.dell.com/ Click "Manuals", then either select by Model or by Service Tag.  SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > A friend's eight-year-old Windows 98 SE Dell Dimension recently came to the > end of its days. The hard drive stopped being accessible. She's throwing [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Thanks, > Larry Glee and Bill and all, Thanks for the help. I found the manual, and it went into this whole business about lifting out the power source prior to removing the hard drive, and I could not get the power source out, and I also couldn't see what doing that had to do with removing the hard drive. So I jumped to the next step, of unscrewing the two screws holding the HD into the front of the chassis, and that was it. Very simple. Larry > Go here: > http://support.dell.com/ [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Thanks, > > Larry ....proving once again that hands-on experience and simple observation are worth 100 manuals. ;-) SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ > Glee and Bill and all, > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >> > Thanks, >> > Larry If it's like my old Dell Dimension, you first remove both the front and side plastic covers, and then have access to two larger phillips screws on the front grille, just for starters. Those hold the primary HD in on my system. > A friend's eight-year-old Windows 98 SE Dell Dimension recently came to the > end of its days. The hard drive stopped being accessible. She's throwing [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Thanks, > Larry >If it's like my old Dell Dimension, you first remove both the front and side >plastic covers, and then have access to two larger phillips screws on the >front grille, just for starters. Those hold the primary HD in on my >system. Hmmm...I have a Compaq Presario that just died, and I'm probably going to have to do this. On that machine, there are several "trapdoor lids" on the bottom, held on by screws. I've had the one over the RAM off, when I added more RAM. There's one clearly marked with a disk drawing, so the HD would be under there. Exactly what would need to be done after remove the trapdoor lid, I'm not sure. Another thing I'm not sure about: I know there are external drive housings that connect to a computer via USB, and you can put a "normal" 3.5" hard drive in there. This drive would be smaller (2.5"?). And the machine is easily old enough that it would have to be IDE (SATA hasn't been around all that long, after all). So would one of these things be a good idea to try to recover the data? SignatureTim Slattery MS MVP(DTS) Slattery_T@bls.gov http://members.cox.net/slatteryt > Hmmm...I have a Compaq Presario that just died, and I'm probably going > to have to do this. On that machine, there are several "trapdoor lids" > on the bottom, held on by screws. I've had the one over the RAM off, > when I added more RAM. There's one clearly marked with a disk drawing, > so the HD would be under there. Exactly what would need to be done > after remove the trapdoor lid, I'm not sure. What model Presario is it, Tim? Most laptops are similar in this respect. Here's a generic example: http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_1.htm The type of bracket and cable may differ, and the location of the screws....hence it helps to know the model. This might help also: http://www.cmsproducts.com/notebook_drive_removal.htm http://www.bixnet.com/copr30no800h.html http://www.bixnet.com/pres1216ser.html Of course, after you get a new drive in a Compaq, you have to find all the Compaq drivers for that model. > Another thing I'm not sure about: I know there are external drive > housings that connect to a computer via USB, and you can put a > "normal" 3.5" hard drive in there. This drive would be smaller > (2.5"?). And the machine is easily old enough that it would have to be > IDE (SATA hasn't been around all that long, after all). So would one > of these things be a good idea to try to recover the data? You can buy a USB 2.0 external drive housing that has a 2.5" adapter for installing a notebook hard drive. There are some on this page (along with some 3.5" enclosures): http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=2777 I have this unit instead, which includes adapters for all drives, but no actual enclosure is used: NewerTech® USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adapt.php It's available there or at these online locations...I forget which resller I used,one of the Mac ones: http://www.newertech.com/us_resellers.php Of course, if the drive is too far gone, it won't read it or won't allow access, so it might be wasted money. SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ >> Hmmm...I have a Compaq Presario that just died, and I'm probably going >> to have to do this. On that machine, there are several "trapdoor lids" [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >What model Presario is it, Tim? Most laptops are similar in this respect. Here's a >generic example: Compaq Presario 1500. I really doubt I'll have much trouble getting it out, it's quite obvious which door I have to unscrew and open and I'm sure I can figure out what needs to be done after that. I also blew right by the fact that OP was asking about a Dell and that's exactly what you were describing. >You can buy a USB 2.0 external drive housing that has a 2.5" adapter for installing >a notebook hard drive. There are some on this page (along with some 3.5" [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >Of course, if the drive is too far gone, it won't read it or won't allow access, so >it might be wasted money. Thank you for those leads!! It looks like these things sell in the neighborhood of $20, and a few are down around $10. I don't intend to use this very much, so maybe a cheap one would do the trick. I understand that there would be no guarantees. But after observing the way this thing failed, I *think* there is a very good chance that the disk is not at fault. And I'm quite sure that it would be worth spending $10 or $20 for one of these things to try to avoid a trip to the shop which would cost *much* more. SignatureTim Slattery MS MVP(DTS) Slattery_T@bls.gov http://members.cox.net/slatteryt Hi Tim....replies inline..... > snip >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I also blew right by the fact that OP was asking about a Dell and > that's exactly what you were describing. Here's what is supposed to be the service manual....it's in 4 parts thast must all be downloaded and extracted: http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=9035 http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=9036 http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=9037 http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=9038 >>You can buy a USB 2.0 external drive housing that has a 2.5" adapter for >>installing [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > spending $10 or $20 for one of these things to try to avoid a trip to > the shop which would cost *much* more. Agreed. I hope those links help you out. Good luck! SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ >I have this unit instead, which includes adapters for all drives, but no actual >enclosure is used: >NewerTech® USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter >http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adapt.php This looks just like what I need, Glen, but it says: System Requirements: * Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP or Vista (No driver needed) Are they serious? Do I need something not included to make it work with win98SE? FWIW, I'm going to use this entirely with 3.5 drives, (Unless I can finally get that portable computer apart.) I have a USB port, version 1.something. Probably at least 1.1 and this it says is "Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards" >It's available there or at these online locations...I forget which resller I >used,one of the Mac ones: >http://www.newertech.com/us_resellers.php If you're not near the east coast, you wouldn't have looked from a reseller near the east coast. Of the three they list, two require you to walk in, and the one in Philadelphia doesn't seem to sell the things anymore. You didnt' buy from the east coast, did you? If you did, was it Springboard in philadelphia? If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-) >>I have this unit instead, which includes adapters for all drives, but no actual >>enclosure is used: [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >I have a USB port, version 1.something. Probably at least 1.1 and >this it says is "Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards" To continue my own post, now, alas, I'm further confused. I thought for even less money than the Universal Drive Adapter above, I could get an enclosure that included the power and data cords etc. So I looked at the drive enclosure on the other url you listed and found one for only 20 dollars, like someone said: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=17331 95&body=MAIN#detailspecs Unfortunately it doesn't say anything about what OS it needs, as if anything is fine, but it does say that it needs USB 2.0. I don't really know what version I have of USB, but I'm pretty sure it's not version 2. I got the driver here, because WiN98SE didn't have a USB driver. And surely it doesn't work with every OS. ?? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=18006 04&Sku=ULT33052 Then this enclosure for 30 dollars in the paragraph says "supports Windows XP, 2000, ME" but in the Minimum System Requirements specifically says it will run on win98SE. It too only mentions USB 2.0 Unfortunately I need to read this hard drive some time this week or by next Wednesday at the latest, before I go out of town. I know I could plug it in to the Primary HD connector on the mobo, but because it is USB and it allows hot-swapping, that would mean that I wouldn't have to run this problematic HD more than the minimum. Should I buy the universal drive adpater, or one of the enclosures, or some more universal enclosure, or what?? :-) Thanks. >>It's available there or at these online locations...I forget which resller I >>used,one of the Mac ones: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >things anymore. You didnt' buy from the east coast, did you? If you >did, was it Springboard in philadelphia? If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-) Replies inline.... > To continue my own post, now, alas, I'm further confused. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > version 2. I got the driver here, because WiN98SE didn't have a USB > driver. And surely it doesn't work with every OS. ?? I have not used any of the enclosures you list, so I can't tell you what they support. As I mentioned in my other reply here, the OS requirement is likely due to the fact that those operating systems have native USB mass storage support. Likewise, USB 2.0 is the listed requirement because data access speeds are inadequate using USB 1.1. However, most should be backward compatible if you want to deal with USB 1.1 speeds. > http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=18006 04&Sku=ULT33052 > Then this enclosure for 30 dollars in the paragraph says "supports > Windows XP, 2000, ME" but in the Minimum System Requirements > specifically says it will run on win98SE. It too only mentions USB > 2.0 See above. > Unfortunately I need to read this hard drive some time this week or by > next Wednesday at the latest, before I go out of town. > > I know I could plug it in to the Primary HD connector on the mobo, but > because it is USB and it allows hot-swapping, that would mean that I > wouldn't have to run this problematic HD more than the minimum. If the drive is a problem drive, the surest way to access (it if it is still accessible) with Win9x is to connect it to the IDE connector on the mobo, internally. > Should I buy the universal drive adpater, or one of the enclosures, or > some more universal enclosure, or what?? :-) As I just stated, if this is a one-off access of a problem drive using Win98, connect it to the IDE connector internally and don't buy any of these adapters or enclosures. SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> I know I could plug it in to the Primary HD connector on the mobo, but >> because it is USB and it allows hot-swapping, that would mean that I [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >connect it to the IDE connector internally and don't buy any of these adapters or >enclosures. OK! That solves the shipping time problem too. Although I still want to get the enclosure or the universal drive adapter. But I can think about that for a few days now with no problem. Thanks again. If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-) Replies inline.... >>I have this unit instead, which includes adapters for all drives, but no actual >>enclosure is used: [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Do I need something not included to make it work with win98SE? Those PC operating systems have inbuilt drivers for USB devices, that's why they are listed as required. To use it with Win98SE or possibly Win98, you would need a USB mass storage driver for it. Since they do not supply one for the device, you would have to use a third-party/generic USB mass storage driver for Win98 or 98SE. I have used this generic "Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE" with flash drives, but is is reported to work with USB-connected hard drives as well: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php This driver has been reported in this newsgroup to work with either Win98SE or Win98 First Edition...I've not tried it: http://www.wintricks.it//download/wtgenusb.zip > FWIW, I'm going to use this entirely with 3.5 drives, (Unless I can > finally get that portable computer apart.) > > I have a USB port, version 1.something. Probably at least 1.1 and > this it says is "Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards" Yes, it is supposed to be backward compatible, but your data access at USB 1.1 speed is going to be quite slow. >>It's available there or at these online locations...I forget which resller I >>used,one of the Mac ones: >>http://www.newertech.com/us_resellers.php > > If you're not near the east coast, you wouldn't have looked from a > reseller near the east coast. Why not? I mail-order from wherever the total price with shipping is good, and I am happy with the service. I don't care what part of the country it is. > Of the three they list, two require you > to walk in, and the one in Philadelphia doesn't seem to sell the > things anymore. You didnt' buy from the east coast, did you? If you > did, was it Springboard in philadelphia? I ordered from macsales/otherworld computing: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/U2NVSPATARH/ SignatureGlen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm >> Do I need something not included to make it work with win98SE? > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >First Edition...I've not tried it: >http://www.wintricks.it//download/wtgenusb.zip Thanks a lot. >> I have a USB port, version 1.something. Probably at least 1.1 and >> this it says is "Backwards compatible to USB 1.1 standards" > >Yes, it is supposed to be backward compatible, but your data access at USB 1.1 speed >is going to be quite slow. Is there a way to get win98SE up to version 2? I thought we talked about this before and there isn't. ???? >>>It's available there or at these online locations...I forget which resller I >>>used,one of the Mac ones: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >Why not? I mail-order from wherever the total price with shipping is good, and I am >happy with the service. I don't care what part of the country it is. OK. LOL Shipping time is getting important this time Usually doesen't matter to me. >> Of the three they list, two require you >> to walk in, and the one in Philadelphia doesn't seem to sell the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I ordered from macsales/otherworld computing: >http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/U2NVSPATARH/ Thanks a lot. If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-) >>NewerTech® USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter >>http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adapt.php [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >System Requirements: > * Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP or Vista (No driver needed) >Are they serious? I haven't used this thing (yet), but I think I know what's going on. When it's attached to a USB port, it's going to look to the computer like any other mass storage device - like a USB memory stick, for example. The listed systems know how to deal with that, and don't need a driver. >Do I need something not included to make it work with win98SE? Yes. Win98SE, unfortunately, does not know how to deal with USB mass storage devices, and needs a driver. I don't know whether this gizmo comes with one, or whether there's one available on the web site, or whether they just didn't bother (haven't examined the web site that closely). You could try the "Unofficial Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE" that's been mentioned in the group a few times: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php SignatureTim Slattery MS MVP(DTS) Slattery_T@bls.gov http://members.cox.net/slatteryt Thanks Bill and Glen. I'll let you know how it goes. Larry >A friend's eight-year-old Windows 98 SE Dell Dimension recently came to the >end of its days. The hard drive stopped being accessible. She's throwing [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I was trying to remove the hard drive. I disconnected all the cables, but >the hard drive seems immovable. You're doing good. I have a portable computer about 20 years old, weighs maybe 12 pounds not counting the power cord/transformer which is another 2, and I can't even get the cover off. A guy gave it to me maybe 12 years ago so I could take the hard drive out. He's never gotten back to me, but I saw him about a year ago and he didn't say anything. I got his address and phone to use after I made one final try, succeeded, and then surprise him. But I still haven't done it, and I've lost his number. My bad. At the time he didn't have enough money to pay someone to take the drive out, and he doesn't have such a great job now either. And I don't think he really needed anything on it, but of course he wanted to have it to be sure, just in case, etc. I can probably track him down through friends where he used to work. I wish I could spell his last name. It has lots of vowels, but I don't knjow which ones. It's not a Dell. I think it's named after a person, like Adams, or Gibson, or something like that. > I thought that hard drives were supposed to >be relatively easy to remove. I see no moving parts or clips or anything [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Thanks, >Larry If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-) |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.