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tonko · Jun 25, 2008, 09:16 AM

My PC will not boot up (I have reverted to my old steam-driven machine for this!). Just before this problem arose the screen/cursor froze and I had to re-boot. It did this a couple of times shortly after re-booting before finally refusing to re-boot at all. When I switch it on, it goes through (or appears to) the usual routine before the first beep, then just continuously beeps every couple of seconds without anything further. The screen is blank. If it needs a pro to fix it, is there any easy way of retreiving data from the hard drive as I need it quite urgently (I didn't get the chance to back-up before the problems started)

WallyHelps · Jun 25, 2008, 10:23 AM

You can get an inexpensive USB enclosure for your drive that will allow you to copy your files off onto your new computer (which it sounds like you may need). These enclosures can be purchased locally too (at a higher price).

My suggestion would be to skip the software that is included with the enclosure. Just pop the drive in the enclosure and plug in the USB cable. Windows will see the new drive and viola... access to your files!

Hope this helps,
WallyH

seahwk83 · Jun 25, 2008, 07:13 PM

What model PC do you have, the beep code may tell you something

tonko · Jun 27, 2008, 04:57 AM

The PC was custom made about three years ago rather than from a specific manufacturer and the company who built it have packed up. So I cannot ask them. When it was working OK the PC would beep once as it was booting up and then again obout 10 secs later immediately before getting the Windows XP logo and moving 'train' in the bar below it to indicate activity - I think most PCs do that don't they? Now, as I say, it just beeps at regular intervals without any apparent other activity. As far as the data transfer goes, I meant from the broken PC. Can this device access files from a PC that won't boot?

Solarrigger2000 · Jun 27, 2008, 05:20 AM

Yes the enclosure will work if it isn't the hard drive that failed! What you need to do is track down the guy who made the computer and have him fix it! Good Luck!

WallyHelps · Jun 27, 2008, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by tonko

As far as the data transfer goes, I meant from the broken PC. Can this device access files from a PC that wont boot?

You'll have to remove the disk drive from the broken PC, unfortunately. And as long as the drive is not what is sick, you should be able to copy the data to another computer.

If you're willing to open the PC up, you could try re-seating any option cards you find in there. Perhaps over time a card has developed a bad/intermittent contact with the motherboard. Just unplug the computer first!

Good luck,
WallyH

seahwk83 · Jun 27, 2008, 02:19 PM

With the beep codes, it could be the system board itself or bad memory, hard to tell unless you can look on the system board and tell the mfg name and then there may a way to get the beep codes. Each motherboard/bios has beep codes to indicate problems.

As mentioned above, if you can get the hard drive into another computer and be seen, it would be the system board in your computer