Am I able to access my SSD simply to retrieve files through a laptop?

[heyyo]

So, my PC died a couple of hours ago. Don't have too much time left to troubleshoot / fix the problem before I head out for work. However, I do have a really important file inside my PC's SSD that I would need later on at work. Is it possible to access it through a laptop and find the file?

 

[Paul NZ]

Connect it to a desktop

 

[heyyo]

Yeah that would be the best, but I unfortunately do not have one within reachable distance before I head to work, nor is there one where I'm heading to. (Not an office)

Is there anyway I can do this through a laptop?

 

[ronintexas]

If you have another computer - you can connect it to that computer - you might have to take ownership of the file(s) to access them.

 

[Paul NZ]

Could try might complain about the difference in drivers / hardware

 

[apcs13]

It is possible to access it through any other computer, provided that you have the equipment to make it work. This, depending on the SSD, may be just a cable, or you may need some type of enclosure. You will need some type of device to convert a USB to the SSD connector so you can let the SSD communicate data with the PC through a USB interface. It is the same principle as with a standard HDD.

If you dont have the necessary items to make the connection, unfortunately the only other thing you can do is dismantle another desktop and connect the SSD to that computer as a secondary drive and look on that desktop. Keep in mind, you must already have a drive with an OS installed on the 2nd machine, and you cannot remove it, as you still need that operating system running because even if the SSD has an OS installed on it, it will not work on a computer with a different motherboard.

 

[rhysiam]

The only option is to put it in another desktop, or use an external USB enclosure.

If you have a computer shop nearby you could probably pick up an external USB enclosure on your way to work, chuck the drive in and then you'd be able to access the files from any machine with a USB port.

 

[ronintexas]

I know it is too late for this suggestion - but there are many cloud services (free) out there like Google Drive, OneDrive (Microsoft) and others. I save quite a few files there - and I can access them from ANY PC, whether or not my computer is operational.....