[SOLVED] I want to save my beloved computer HDD

buddhaful · 05-02-2008, 04:58 PM

I am not super computer literate, but I can usually figure it out.
I have a Dell desktop that was built by a friend/tech guy.
The front of the case says Dell Precision 210, though I know he added some really nice new stuff like a better sound card and a better video card.
I love this Frankenstein computer.
It has an excellent CD burner and music programs.
I moved to PR to NY and brought only the tower with me.
I can't get help from the guy who built it, since he is now living in Oklahoma and cannot remember what he put in the computer anyway.
When I tried to hook it to a new Dell flat screen monitor and it would not work, I thought it was a syncing problem, since it is running Windows 95.
We got a computer geek friend to come over and check the video card.
It's not that either.
I got a used CRT monitor today and it still doesn't work.

The tower turns on and the fan.
The monitor displays the message "Monitor is in power save mode. Activate using pc."
Obviously, I can't do that.
I am not sure if it is the motherboard at this point.
If it is, should I just try to recover my music and photos and programs from the hard drive?
I don't know if I am being sentimental about the computer or if I just liked the way everything in it worked together so well for music stuff.
I just knew how to do EVERYTHING I needed to!
Is it possible to save it without incurring too much cost?
Help!
Thanks! alexza
P.S. I do have a Vaio laptop running XP if that could somehow help.

**Deleted090308** · 05-03-2008, 02:34 AM

Welcome to TSF.

Get rid of static electricity by touching a radiator or bare metal on the computer case.
Then unplug the computer from the wall outlet and open the case.

Take the video card and the RAM stick(s) out - then put them back.

buddhaful · 05-04-2008, 07:59 PM

You are a genius...
After 3 years of attempts, my old faithful is now working.
I can now access all of my music programs.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Alexza

**Deleted090308** · 05-04-2008, 10:38 PM

I'm glad you got it fixed.

05-02-2008, 04:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
buddhaful Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows 95	[SOLVED] I want to save my beloved computer HDD I am not super computer literate, but I can usually figure it out. I have a Dell desktop that was built by a friend/tech guy. The front of the case says Dell Precision 210, though I know he added some really nice new stuff like a better sound card and a better video card. I love this Frankenstein computer. It has an excellent CD burner and music programs. I moved to PR to NY and brought only the tower with me. I can't get help from the guy who built it, since he is now living in Oklahoma and cannot remember what he put in the computer anyway. When I tried to hook it to a new Dell flat screen monitor and it would not work, I thought it was a syncing problem, since it is running Windows 95. We got a computer geek friend to come over and check the video card. It's not that either. I got a used CRT monitor today and it still doesn't work. The tower turns on and the fan. The monitor displays the message "Monitor is in power save mode. Activate using pc." Obviously, I can't do that. I am not sure if it is the motherboard at this point. If it is, should I just try to recover my music and photos and programs from the hard drive? I don't know if I am being sentimental about the computer or if I just liked the way everything in it worked together so well for music stuff. I just knew how to do EVERYTHING I needed to! Is it possible to save it without incurring too much cost? Help! Thanks! alexza P.S. I do have a Vaio laptop running XP if that could somehow help. Last edited by buddhaful; 05-02-2008 at 05:00 PM.

05-03-2008, 02:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: I want to save my beloved computer HDD Welcome to TSF. Get rid of static electricity by touching a radiator or bare metal on the computer case. Then unplug the computer from the wall outlet and open the case. Take the video card and the RAM stick(s) out - then put them back.

05-04-2008, 07:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
buddhaful Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows 95	Re: I want to save my beloved computer HDD You are a genius... After 3 years of attempts, my old faithful is now working. I can now access all of my music programs. Thank you thank you thank you!!! Alexza

05-04-2008, 10:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: I want to save my beloved computer HDD I'm glad you got it fixed.