Vista won't boot. I need to access and backup files.

[tjpatters]

Vista won't boot and I can't get in safe mode. It won't do a startup repair either. I can do a system restore but I need to backup the files first. Is there a way to access the files to back them up? Or any suggestions to get into windows? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[legokill101]

you can pull out the hard drive if you want and put it into another system to recover the files assuming its not to damaged or you can try a rescue cd

 

[tjpatters]

I can't do the hardware end of things. Is there another way to recover the files? Maybe a program?

 

[legokill101]

try hyrim boot cd

 

[tjpatters]

I did but it hasn't gotten me anywhere. Maybe I'm missing something. Any suggestions with that?

 

[legokill101]

let me call in a expet as im not one on this

 

[tjpatters]

I'm told that the hirim bootcd should work but not sure how to make it work. Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[ronintexas]

The safest way to accomplish this would be to get an external USB Hard Drive enclosure or dock, and try to read the drive on a working PC, and backup the files to that PC. An external enclose should run about $20-$30 at any computer store. I purchased a model similar to this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153071

They aren't a waste of money - you can easily copy any laptop or computer hard drive using USB or eSATA connections...I have used this hundreds of times.

 

[tjpatters]

So if I bought the external USB Hard Drive enclosure or dock, what I'm supposed to do is take out the hard drive to the laptop, put it in this external USB Hard Drive and connect it to a pc to copy the files I need? Just wanting to know the instructions on how to do this. I've never used one but I've heard of them. Does it come with instructions?

 

[ronintexas]

You put the drive in the enclosure or insert into dock, boot up your computer, then plug the USB cable in. It should auto-detect the drive and just copy files from one to the other.