Computer Guy ASAP

[Ivanite]

Does anyone know of a Mobil Computer repair or IT Company in the Dallas area? We have an office computer that can't seem to find its hard drive. I don't know if information can be recovered or not or if we need to buy a whole new computer or just a hard drive. The guy we normally use is out of town till next week and we need help now. Any Suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Ivanite

[Ivanite]

ttt Anyone?

[ren087]

I don't know of anyone in that area but I can probably help you. You can buy this external hard drive dock and see if plugging it into a computer lets Windows see the hard drive. http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Bl.../dp/B001A4HAFS

Best Buy has several locations in Dallas that has it in stock.

1. Remove the hard drive after you power off the computer.
2. Put drive into the dock.
3. Plug dock into working computer.
4. Windows should see this as a second drive and you can access the files in Windows Explorer.

If the drive is not seen this way or you don't hear it powered up while in the dock, you have bigger issues. Data can still most likely be recovered but it is expensive. I have a group that does it and are really good. Let me know if you need more info.

[Ivanite]

I can try this. So once I take the cover off the computer the Hard Drive just unplugs and pluges into this like a tape would?

[AtTheWall]

I can try this. So once I take the cover off the computer the Hard Drive just unplugs and pluges into this like a tape would?

That is correct.

It will map to the controlling computer, like a thumb drive.

Many of the dual readers support SATA (current) as well as IDE (older) drive systems.

[AtTheWall]

If you can read data on the drive, you may have suffered a motherboard SATA Drive controller?

This is probably unlikely and my bet is, the drive itself died.

The external drive readers are good insurance for shops that need other methods to mount drives and or ERADICATE NASTY VIRUSES, without wiping out the hard drive of data, as these nasty viruses reside within.

Having a tablet with a bunch of AntiVirus & Malware Tools, is excellent to deal with all. Recover data, remove and eradicate nasty viruses..learning how to do this, will save you IT Costs in having someone else do this for you.

[ren087]

A few things to note. If the computer is desktop computer vs. a laptop, you would remove the cover, and depending on the model, you will have either screws or a locking latch holding the drive in place. SATA will be connected with 2 small cords and the IDE will have a larger "ribbon" type connector and then a small 4 pin connector that usually has a black and a red wire running to it. The device I recommended works on SATA only so worth checking your drive inside your computer first. You can PM me and I will give you my number if you want me to walk you through it on the phone.

[Ivanite]

Great... Thanks for all the info. Headed to Staples to pick a reader up.