How to copy files from hard drive to external hard drive from non-working comput

[waterfordpa]

Hello,
My desktop cannot boot up so I need to transfer fiiles from the hard drive to an external hard drive with a working laptop.

 

[rolli59]

Only way I know how to do it is to take the drive out and put it in an compatible external enclosure!

 

[DelroyMonjo]

You could put it in another working desktop and it should be recognized as another drive, D: E: whatever. then you could transfer the files via USB which would take a lifetime, or over a network crossover cable which should allow direct transfer from one computer to another from the RJ-45 ports, no router or anything other than the cable needed.

 

[willard]

Without removing the drive from the dead computer, this is not possible. The computer kind of needs to work to be able to use it. Since your other computer is a laptop, this probably isn't going to be that easy since standard desktop drives don't fit in a laptop.

Easiest thing to do is buy a cheap external HDD dock from Newegg. You can find them for $10-$15.

 

[daship]

Is the Desktop dead or it just dont boot? If it just wont boot, boot up a live CD like Ubuntu, and copy files that way.

 

[mmaatt747]

What messages are you getting if any? Keep in mind that it might not be booting because the hard drive itself is bad