Data Recovery - Automatic Repair couldnt repair your PC

[I_royalty_I]

My old laptop is not booting anymore and receiving the error "Windows 10 Automatic Repair couldn�t repair your PC" everytime.

I can get to the troubleshooting page and have tried a few different things that I found listed here:
(you need an account to see links)
but none have worked so far.



Right now I don't really care about the laptop at all as I bought a new one... but I DO want the data on it.

Anything I can do?
Would I be able to take the laptop apart, grab the hard drive, and get the necessary cable/shell to connect to my new laptop?

[Mama Bear]

If you have a docking station or alike, I don't see why you couldn't.

[I_royalty_I]

If you have a docking station or alike, I don't see why you couldn't.

Well I have my new laptop and I figured I could connect my old hard drive there and extract files like that.

I wasn't sure if the fact that my laptop won't boot, no matter what I try, means that there could be other issues to the hard drive that make make it a better option to keep the laptop in one piece for the time being.

[Accelerator]

Remove the hard drive and buy a 2.5" enclosure, your disk will work as an external hard drive.
If you install the old hard drive to the new PC the same error will pop up, not to mention that in the case it does boot everything's gonna be off due to missing drivers... You can only recover the files that way if you have a linux live CD/USB and boot from there.
Another way you can recover the files is by doing a Windows custom install, it'll create a windows.old folder where it'll store your previous windows installation, including user files.

[I_royalty_I]

Remove the hard drive and buy a 2.5" enclosure, your disk will work as an external hard drive.
If you install the old hard drive to the new PC the same error will pop up, not to mention that in the case it does boot everything's gonna be off due to missing drivers... You can only recover the files that way if you have a linux live CD/USB and boot from there.
Another way you can recover the files is by doing a Windows custom install, it'll create a windows.old folder where it'll store your previous windows installation, including user files.

The only thing I really need from it are the files (notepads/images/word docs mostly). So I don't really need anything from it once I'm able to pull that. I'll probably dispose of it somehow.

So if I get the enclosure and it works as an external drive, will all my stuff still be on there?

[j03]

I believe with a SATA cable you can just connect it to another desktop tower (just open the case). Your desktop might have an extra one connected to like a separate HD, I would use that. Good luck recovering your data!

Doing this, you should definitely be able to get everything off of the HD.

[Accelerator]

The only thing I really need from it are the files (notepads/images/word docs mostly). So I don't really need anything from it once I'm able to pull that. I'll probably dispose of it somehow.

So if I get the enclosure and it works as an external drive, will all my stuff still be on there?

Yes.
You should find folders like "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)". Your folders like Downloads, Desktop, Videos, Pictures, etc should be under Drive Letter:\Users\your username\
The only problem you could have is file's ownership, but that's easily solved with a google search
Edit: Btw... I'd suggest you stop using the hard drive **if** it's in a bad state (Physical or logical damage,) if you keep using it you'd be risking your file's integrity/recovery chances. At least until you get the tools needed for you to be able to access it again (be it another desktop, enclosure, etc)

[I_royalty_I]

Yes.
You should find folders like "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)". Your folders like Downloads, Desktop, Videos, Pictures, etc should be under Drive Letter:\Users\your username\
The only problem you could have is file's ownership, but that's easily solved with a google search

I believe with a SATA cable you can just connect it to another desktop tower (just open the case). Your desktop might have an extra one connected to like a separate HD, I would use that. Good luck recovering your data!

Doing this, you should definitely be able to get everything off of the HD.

I should be able to handle the ownership issues. If the files are there, then ownership should be easy!
I'm not sure if I have a SATA cable anymore. When I moved to my new place I got rid of a ton of old wires and cabling I had sitting around. Luckily they are cheap though.

I will give this a shot soon - thanks for the help guys, I do appreciate it!!