How to Recover Data From a Broken Laptop
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| Data recovery from a broken Laptop |
How to Recover your Files and Data from a Broken Laptop
That you've got a broken laptop doesn't mean you can not recover data or files from the Laptop. Laptops can break anytime whether we like it or not. Besides there are many reasons why a Laptop could pack off; this ranges from damaged battery, damaged screen, broken keyboard, and damaged motherboard.
Asides these, Laptop can pack off due to its lifespan, as most Laptops have a lifespan of 3-5 years compared to desktop which have 5-8 years of lifespan. Has your Laptop got broken? Then, there is a way you can recover your files from your Laptop, fixable or not, just be ready to know how to recover your Files or Data from it. Though the process might be stressful but worth it as it will enables you to recover your files and data from it.
Getting Started? These are what you need.
Toolkit
However, you will need to gather some set of tools. This may vary as Laptop manufacturers may not have the same features as they will do things differently. It is expedient you check the internet for guidelines (written or video). This will help you to be aware of the tools to use (Screwdriver kit would have useful).
Adapter
An adapter would be needed to connect your old storage drive to another computer. This will depend on which storage drive your old laptop comes with. It could be a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard drive (HDD)—and, if it's the SSD, what kind of solid-state drive it is.
For Hard drives, SATA interface is used for connection, definitely you will have to make use of a SATA to USB enclosure or adapter if that's the case. They come in different shapes and forms, cheap cables, enclosures, and docking stations. You can buy online if you find the one with good reviews.. Similarly, some Laptops that comes with SSDs also use this interface, so the same adapter will work.
However, especially thin and light Laptops, have an m.2 SSD instead, much smaller, and you will need to get another kind of adapter. You can find them in either an enclosure format or resembling a thumb drive, like the Sabrent USB-C 3.2 Tool-Free Enclosure.
STEPS TO BE TAKEN
Step 1: Evaluate the Damage
Before working on your laptop, try to check how it was damaged before you pry it open. There could be a nice idea to try and recover your files and data through other less complicated ways, depending on the damage,
It can be too costly to repair your laptop if it has a broken hinge, display, or keyboard, however, it is not necessary you pry it open completely. You can use an external monitor to display if it has a broken screen, and use a USB keyboard instead if the built-in keyboard has stopped functioning.
It worth pursuing if you have any means of accessing your Laptop, though, it might not be convenient. All you just need to do is to put the data you want to transfer on an external hard drive and move it to a new PC.
If this is not possible, then, keep on reading.
Step 2: Disassemble Your Laptop
Now, you can now open your Laptop, so brace yourself. A step-by-step instructions can't be given in details here—as we mentioned above, all PC/ Laptop manufacturers do things differently, and some laptops it might be more complicated to disassemble some laptops than others.
Hence, you will need to depend on instructional guides (video or written) on online or do it at your own risk. At times, the ordeal might happens when you take the back off, and from there, the drive is removed. In some Laptops, it might not be necessary to remove the entire back to access the drive. However, the battery must be removed before you remove any other electrical component.
The drive either SATA or m.2 is probably held in place by an additional mounting mechanism, or by screws. Especially if it is a hard drive, unscrew it and remove it carefully--they can get damaged if mishandled, and this could lead to loss of data and files.
Step 3: Connect It to a New Computer
After you have done all that, you can now continue with the connection of your drive and computer i.e. another computer to access your files. And you put the drive in the enclosure/adapter you purchased (N.B. be very careful if it's a hard drive) and connect it to your PC.
If everything is done correctly, the drive should work without issue and show up as a USB drive in your PC's/Laptop's list of devices and drives. All your files and data should show up in the same folders and order as it did in your old laptop. You'll find a lot of system files and folders if you keep your files in the same drive as your older PC's operating system.
When you navigate to the "Users" folder you will find most of your personal files (click on the folder with your username on it for Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, and much more folders). Copy those files and data to a new drive.
What Do I Do If My Drive get Damaged?
Unfortunately, storage drives do get damaged especially when they are spun, and this might lead to the loss of your personal files. When your PCs tells you to format your drive before using it, you can know that the drive is damaged.
That doesn't mean absolutely everything is lost. Your PC sees the drive and can see that it has files but can't read due to physical damage. Do not format it, even if that's what your Windows install advises you to do.
In this case, what you need is a data recovery tool such as Disk Drill. Then, install it on your PC, and let it read and the drive thoroughly to allow you to export all files and data that you can recover from it to a new drive. Don't expect to get everything but it worth it if you can recover some important files and data back. Moreover, it's likely you get several corrupted files.
The Surest Way To Recover Data and Files Easily
It could only be certain to recover your files and data if you can back them up in the cloud. It would be easy to recover your files and data by downloading them in case of any unfortunate event. Now, you have known how you can recover your files and data even if worst happens.
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