Partitioned HDD + Enclosure

makosalvado · 04-12-2012, 06:07 AM

I just removed the HDD of my sister's laptop and wanted to recover files previously stored in it. The case is that the HDD is partitioned to C and D, C for Windows and D for Data.

------ I was thinking if putting an enclosure will make the HDD work even if it's partitioned because I wanted to make it an External HDD.

Also, at first, we were trying to reinstall Windows so we formatted the D Drive because it always shows 0 GB (it's the cause of having to replace the HDD of my sister's laptop). Windows didn't install successfully and only two folders were in D.

------ I was wondering if I could recover those files.

------ So basically, what I want to do is recover the files of C and D (by using an enclosure to connect it to a laptop), and reformat it and make it usable as an external HDD.

tyza · 04-13-2012, 12:22 AM

Why do you need to install your OS on the ext hdd for you to recover the files?

It should just be plug and play .

spunk.funk · 04-13-2012, 02:03 AM

Yes, put the drive in the enclosure and attach it to a working computer. The previous C: and D: partitions will come up that are on the enclosure on the next available Drive Letters on the computer the external is attached to.

makosalvado · 04-13-2012, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spunk.funk

Yes, put the drive in the enclosure and attach it to a working computer. The previous C: and D: partitions will come up that are on the enclosure on the next available Drive Letters on the computer the external is attached to.

Okay I'll try. But can you teach me how to recover the files in D? (while using the HDD externally)

makosalvado · 04-13-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyza

Why do you need to install your OS on the ext hdd for you to recover the files?

It should just be plug and play .

I only tried to install it WHILE it was inside the laptop. It didn't worked so I assumed it has problems and decided to change the HDD. Now, I want to make it an external HDD.

**SteveThePirate** · 04-13-2012, 05:23 AM

Hi,

Once you plug it in, you should be able to go to My computer and see your partitions there separate from the Computer's partition, then open up the partition and copy them across.

Steve

makosalvado · 04-13-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveThePirate

Hi,

Once you plug it in, you should be able to go to My computer and see your partitions there separate from the Computer's partition, then open up the partition and copy them across.

Steve

Can you teach me how to recover the reformatted files?

**SteveThePirate** · 04-13-2012, 07:42 AM

Oh yeah, missed that part. Download PhotoRec (works well in Linux so should do in Windows also) TestDisk and PhotoRec - Download.com

Install it and your wanting to use PhotoRec to recover the files

Steve

spunk.funk · 04-14-2012, 02:21 AM

Quote:

we formatted the D Drive because it always shows 0 GB

TestDisk will probably not work since you have tried to install Windows on the formatted partition.
Download the demo version of R-Studio. Let it scan the formatted partition (this will take a long time, be patient). It will list what it can restore and you decide if it is worth it to pay to actually Recover your files. You will need a drive of the same size or larger (not the source drive) to recover your files to.