Power Outage...Laptop Mother Board Fried
Nov 3, 2016 07:38:23 #
As the title suggests, my laptop died after a power outage a few days ago. I have no idea what caused the mother board to expire, but I am assuming that my surge protector did protect. So, I have ordered a new Dell, much like the one I had and also new surge protectors. I have taken out the hard drive from the old computer with the thought of transferring the data on the hard drive onto the new hard drive. My question is.............has anyone done that? Secondly, I realize the applications will not transfer, so do the appropriate applications have to be on the new computer in in order that the data will transfer, or can I transfer the data first and the applications second? Thanks in advance for all your help.
Nov 3, 2016 07:58:19 #
I have done this many a time for myself and others there is a patch cord you can get I got mine from eBay you hook up to the USB on your new computer and it plugs in to your old hard drive the kit will even come with a power supply cord to the old hard drive when it all hooked up it should just prompt up on your computer as a new device just like it would if you plugged in a memory card and then you can open to explore and down load what ever you want this patch cord kit is also good so if you want to use internal hard drives for extra storage just like a portable hard drive
Nov 3, 2016 07:59:18 #
As long as the processing board on your hard drive didn't get fried along with the rest of the laptop you should be able to do it with no problems. You will need a hard drive enclosure, preferably a USB 3.0 or higher, that can handle both 2.5 and 3.5 inch drives. Simply plug the drive into your new computer and it will come up as a second drive. At that point you can go through your records and pull off all your data files.
Nov 3, 2016 08:07:27 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
The two above solutions didn't answer the OP's original question!
Software/Apps first, or can the data be transferred without the software/apps being installed on the new computer?
Software/Apps first, or can the data be transferred without the software/apps being installed on the new computer?
Nov 3, 2016 08:26:21 #
Mike,
If the new one has same CPU architecture, and chipset you can most like it just insert your old hard-drive and boot up your old windows.
This works good from Windows 7 and up. It should install drivers automatically or maybe just needs manual updates of drivers. Your windows will ask to activate again, but all apps and settings are there like before.
OR ,
You can just set up the new laptop, install your apps and have a fresh new windows installation. The first solution may backfire with not booting up, and of course you transfer all gibberish to new computer as well.
You can safely chose to transfer all your personal files and then reinstall all apps, or vice versa.
Good luck
EDIT: First suggestion implies you take out the new HD and insert the old one instead.
If the new one has same CPU architecture, and chipset you can most like it just insert your old hard-drive and boot up your old windows.
This works good from Windows 7 and up. It should install drivers automatically or maybe just needs manual updates of drivers. Your windows will ask to activate again, but all apps and settings are there like before.
OR ,
You can just set up the new laptop, install your apps and have a fresh new windows installation. The first solution may backfire with not booting up, and of course you transfer all gibberish to new computer as well.
You can safely chose to transfer all your personal files and then reinstall all apps, or vice versa.
Good luck
EDIT: First suggestion implies you take out the new HD and insert the old one instead.
Nov 3, 2016 08:28:11 #
Szalajj wrote:
The two above solutions didn't answer the OP's original question!
Software/Apps first, or can the data be transferred without the software/apps being installed on the new computer?
Software/Apps first, or can the data be transferred without the software/apps being installed on the new computer?
Good point. Forget the apps they won't work on transfer anyway just move your data (photos, word docs etc.). When you reload your apps in the new Dell your transferred data will work with them. Put them in separate folders one for each type of data so they will be easy to find after you reload the apps.
Nov 3, 2016 08:31:23 #
Mike,
Had you backed up your computer using Windows or other software? If so, you can recover the entire drive. You'll need a USB/sata cable. One end plugs into the old hard drive and the other into a USB port. Here's one at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478176014&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+sata+cable
If you had not backed up using software, your data is still recoverable using the cable, but not programs/applications.
Mark
Had you backed up your computer using Windows or other software? If so, you can recover the entire drive. You'll need a USB/sata cable. One end plugs into the old hard drive and the other into a USB port. Here's one at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478176014&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+sata+cable
If you had not backed up using software, your data is still recoverable using the cable, but not programs/applications.
Mark
MikeMcK wrote:
As the title suggests, my laptop died after a powe... (show quote)
Nov 3, 2016 08:31:45 #
It will depend on what you mean by data. Any programs you will need to re-install. The old settings for those programs will need to be re-setup. (there are some programs that report to copy the settings but it's a hit and miss scenario) Your files such as what's in "your docs" (jpg, tif, docx, pub, avi, mp3 etc.) folder can be easily copied to the new HD.
Once complete, scrub the old HD of all programs and settings and use it as a backup.
Once complete, scrub the old HD of all programs and settings and use it as a backup.
Nov 3, 2016 09:00:26 #
MikeMcK wrote:
As the title suggests, my laptop died after a powe... (show quote)
I had a power outage about a month ago that fried 8GB of memory in my main computer and the 4gb graphics accelerator card. When I replaced the memory and the card everything came back up fine. My system is on a decent surge protector but I am replacing all with newer ones. I don't know if they lose ability over time but I'm not taking the chance. My servers were all on uninterruptable power supplies and rode out the interruption with ease. I may look to do that to the desktop computers too.
As for your laptop, in theory, the battery should have protected it.
Nov 3, 2016 09:01:05 #
Thanks for all your help. I know just enough to get in real trouble. I will let you all know what happens. I might add, when I purchased the new Dell, I got the software and hardware warranty for 3 years.
Nov 3, 2016 09:14:18 #
Please consider a full backup of your hard drive(s) with the new Dell. It will save your butt. I use Acronis, but there are many other programs including a backup program in Win 10. Enjoy the new Dell.
BTW: My motherboard and memory fried during the infamous Sandy in 2012. My homeowners policy covered the loss.(other than the deductible). You may want to check that with your insurance agent/policy. My deductible was $500, but the rebuild of my "new system" was $1350. I received a check for $850 in three days.
Mark
BTW: My motherboard and memory fried during the infamous Sandy in 2012. My homeowners policy covered the loss.(other than the deductible). You may want to check that with your insurance agent/policy. My deductible was $500, but the rebuild of my "new system" was $1350. I received a check for $850 in three days.
Mark
MikeMcK wrote:
Thanks for all your help. I know just enough to get in real trouble. I will let you all know what happens. I might add, when I purchased the new Dell, I got the software and hardware warranty for 3 years.
Nov 3, 2016 09:16:00 #
MikeMcK wrote:
As the title suggests, my laptop died after a powe... (show quote)
I did pc support for a large corporation for many years so I am very familiar with pc crashes and replacements.
First, you will need a good external USB3 hard drive enclosure for your old hd. This one from Amazon is highly rated and only $12.99us.
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool-free-Enclosure-Optimized-EC-UASP/dp/B00OJ3UJ2S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1478177978&sr=8-4&keywords=external+hard+drive+enclosure
Most of your data should be in your old profile you logged in with. On the newer OS'es it is located at C:\users\ and whatever your profile name was. You will find a desktop, documents, photos, music folder inside of your profile folder with hopefully most of your missing data.
Program transfers are a BIG NO though unless you have the installation packages stored somewhere. I hope this helps.
Nov 3, 2016 09:24:46 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Just an FYI, for electronic equipment it's been said that you should replace your surge supressors once every few years.
Move the older models to other locations such as lamps, table top fans, or holiday displays.
I have to admit that even I forget to do this!
Mark the expiration date (length of warranty) on the plug strip as a reminder of when it should be repurposed!
Move the older models to other locations such as lamps, table top fans, or holiday displays.
I have to admit that even I forget to do this!
Mark the expiration date (length of warranty) on the plug strip as a reminder of when it should be repurposed!
Nov 3, 2016 15:21:25 #
I'm glad that I always plug my computer be it desktop or laptop into a custom surge protector strip that I made. MOVs on all three lines, noise filtering capacitors and inductors and finally an appropriately sized fast blow fuse.
Nov 4, 2016 06:58:46 #
You don't want to put an old hard drive into a new laptop - the hard drive is usually the first thing to go! Are you sure that your motherboard is fried? It is unusual for this to happen in a laptop from a voltage surge because the transformer/battery combination usually serve as a pretty decent surge suppressor.
Have you tried starting it in SAFE mode?
You can "clone" your old hard drive onto your new one, making it look just like the old one. This will transfer all data AND programs. Some programs will recognize that this is a new BIOS and not work due to licensing restrictions, but many will. Cloning an old drive onto a new one costs about $90 at the computer service centers.
Have you tried starting it in SAFE mode?
You can "clone" your old hard drive onto your new one, making it look just like the old one. This will transfer all data AND programs. Some programs will recognize that this is a new BIOS and not work due to licensing restrictions, but many will. Cloning an old drive onto a new one costs about $90 at the computer service centers.
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