Of course, it is annoying if the computer, the power supply, a memory module or something else is broken. On the one hand, this usually happens at the wrong moment: the computer is urgently needed. Second, of course, it costs money to replace the defective component or even to have it replaced.
Keep calm and never act without thought
The financial loss is expected to be comparatively low, since most of the built-in components cost less than € 50 for prices of less than € 500 for an average computer. The personal data is heavier than the material loss. All photos, videos, documents, and e-mails that are on the hard drive and can not be easily restored by a new installation. The personal data, in a PC, is by far the most important element, similar to the location of a property.
In secure mode, start
Regardless of the reason the computer no longer runs properly, securing or rescuing the data has top priority. This article focuses on three typical scenarios and how to keep your personal data safe.
Save data to USB or network hard drive
In the simplest case, Windows is only moved and the computer does not start properly. Then the access to the hard drive is missing via Windows Explorer. In the second scenario Windows does not start anymore, but the hardware is still in order. The third and most difficult case is that a component is actually defective and therefore the PC fails its service. Also in this case, there is a solution to get back to the personal data.
The Rescue Kit for Emergency
So it's true something with the PC does not: It does not drive up really high or crashes again and again. In short, backing up important data is no longer possible.
The question of "why?" Should not be the focus here. Even for an IT expert, it is difficult to isolate the cause of the failure in the specific case. Also in this case, there is a solution to get back to the personal data.
When the computer no longer runs, it is first to keep quiet. So by no means arbitrarily reinstall the operating system and under certain circumstances overwriting your own data. This is easily done if the hard disk has only one partition, ie a drive with the letter C: as with many computers in the delivery state.
The first and easiest way to bring the operating system back to life and thus access the personal data is the so-called safe mode. While users of Windows 95, 98 and ME have once and again faced with this "emergency operating system", the protected mode has almost disappeared in recent years. Simply because Windows usually runs so hard that it is hardly needed.
In some cases, however, the protected mode is useful and it is also integrated in Windows Vista and 7, contrary to many false statements in Internet forums. Only a very limited number of files and drivers are started, and the Autostart programs remain outside. While not all services and functions are available at the same time, the probability is much higher that the cause of the problem is also blocked and Windows starts at all.
Most programs can be run in safe mode, including Windows Explorer for backup. The USB ports are also supported as usual, for example for storing data on an external hard disk. Another option is to support network storage (NAS hard disks). You can start the emergency mode by pressing the "F8" key during the start process before the start screen is visible. The predominantly black window with the extended options must appear. Instead, if Windows starts normal, you have missed the right time to press the "F8" key. Restart the PC and press F8 again.
The Advanced Options selection menu displays various entries, including "Safe Mode". Windows 7 has a total of twelve possibilities, with Windows XP and Vista it is less. They can not be clicked with the mouse, but can be selected with the arrow keys on the keyboard. A selected entry starts Windows after pressing the Enter key in the selected special mode. The "normal" safe mode is correct for transferring the data to an external hard disk. Users who want to back up their data to a network store, select "Safe Mode with Network Drivers" from the menu.
After starting in safe mode, the black screen background and, depending on the monitor setting, the lower resolution. Otherwise, Windows Explorer can be operated as usual using a double-click with the mouse.
An external hard disk can be subsequently connected via USB during operation and the personal data can be transferred to it. Once the data is backed up, the decisive factor is achieved. Now you can think about the new installation of the operating system as a repair.
Hardware defective: Remove hard disk
If the operating system does not start at all and the protected mode does not help, the computer still does not have to be broken. On the contrary, it is even more likely that "only" something is missing in the boot sector of the hard drive or something else is so gravitating on the operating system that the computer is no longer up. Here too, keep calm, because it is about the personal data.
A simple solution is to use a rescue system: you do not start the computer from the hard drive as usual, but from a special CD or DVD. For this, use Paragons Rescue Kit from the magazine DVD. How the backup of this special CD works, the workshop "Data with the Rescue Kit Backup" on the next page. For the creation of the rescue CD you will find a special program on the magazine DVD under "Tool packages / Data rescue"
Read data from internal hard disk via USB port
The program automatically burns the rescue CD to a blank after startup. If you have two optical drives in your computer and you can insert both the staple DVD and the blank at the same time, this is the right way. Alternatively, copy the program to your hard drive and then create the first aid media.
After calling the firing program, a registration with the manufacturer Paragon is necessary via the link "Get free product key and serial number" with name and mail address. The free license key including serial number can be found immediately after registration in the mailbox. Both of them are entered into the corresponding fields in the burn assistant and a blank CD is inserted to burn the Rescue Kit. Then, press the "Next" button three times to burn the emergency kit CD.
In the third scenario, something is actually broken on the hardware of the computer and is therefore no longer running. What exactly is defective plays only a subordinate role, because here, of course, no safe mode or booting of CD helps.
Before the actual repair remains only, the hard disk from the defective computer to expand and then to another data carrier to transfer. Usually a hard disk from a notebook can easily be removed because it is only behind a plastic cover on the bottom, which in turn is attached with only one screw. It is therefore easy to open with a small screwdriver (usually cross-slot). The hard disk itself is shifted by about one centimeter in the longitudinal direction in order to separate the contact connection.
Depending on the model, remove another securing screw or a safety lever before moving. All this is done in about a minute. If you do not really know what you're doing, you'll find a lot of videos on how to make the hard disk. The search for the notebook model and terms like "hard disk" and "remove" or "harddisk" and "remove" quickly lead to the goal.
With the desktop PC the expansion of the hard drive is not really more complicated, but it takes a little longer. This is because the cables have to be loosened at the back of the computer, then the housing has to be unscrewed, then the two cables for current and data at the back of the data carrier and then the hard disk itself. The hard disk can be either screwed or jammed.
To save the data of the removed hard disk, you need a second, functioning computer. In a desktop PC, the hard disk can usually be connected, only old data carriers with an IDE port do not fit into a modern computer. After switching on the PC, Windows Explorer displays the new drive with additional letters, so the data can be easily backed up.
In a mobile computer, on the other hand, there is no second data carrier. To save the data from the removed, internal hard drive you need an HDD-USB adapter, which is available on the Internet including shipping for as little as ten euros. Both (old) IDE and (new) SATA hard disks can be connected to any computer via a USB adapter. The old drive appears as normal in Windows Explorer.
A tip for the IDE hard disks on the USB adapter: If the usual "master" position of the jumpers does not work, try the jumper settings "Slave" or "Cable Select". The most important thing has been achieved: the data are secured. Depending on the diagnosis and cost of the repair, you can choose a new computer or repair.
