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Forum nameThe Computer Forum
Topic subjectHere is a new one for me.
Topic URLhttp://www.pcqanda.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=2&topic_id=566769
566769, Here is a new one for me.
Posted by kittenmueller, Wed Dec-09-20 09:23 PM
I have been given a desktop that I was told does not boot. As I no longer have a monitor hanging around I could not see if it boots. Lights come on, thats all I know. So i got a brilliant ( or not) idea to get a USB- VGA adaptor to go from the desktop to my laptop. Driver installed. I now have NO idea what to do next!!!!! Can I even get the in the desktop or am I a complete moron for thinking it?? The more I think about it , the dumber it all sounds that I even thought this. So..... Do I just take her HD to someone to put her pics on a thumb drive? Thats all she wants are the pics. I of course want to see if I can fix the pc.

THanks, Kitten
566770, RE: Here is a new one for me.
Posted by Ttech, Thu Dec-10-20 12:52 AM
You can't use your laptop display as a monitor for the desktop computer, if that's what you are trying to do. The cable you got is to connect an external monitor to the computer that the USB cable is plugged into.

What you need is a SATA to USB dock with external power, so there is enough power to run a 3/5" hard drive.

Here's an example, there are lots of different brands available from lots of different places online.
https://www.amazon.com/SSK-Aluminum-External-Duplicator-Function/dp/B07WS59SP4/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=sata+usb+dock&qid=1607561256&sr=8-13

This will allow you to take the hard drive from the desktop computer and connect it to your laptop. Then you can browse the drive and look for files that you want to recover. Windows will probably prompt you to take ownership of the files.
566772, RE: Here is a new one for me.
Posted by kittenmueller, Thu Dec-10-20 01:02 AM
ah, ok, thanks for the info.

566773, RE: Here is a new one for me.
Posted by jbmcmillan, Thu Dec-10-20 05:54 PM
Ttech is correct I have 2 hard drive docks for that very purpose. This is the newest one I have the other one is way older and clunkier but I keep it around because it supports the odd ide drive I run across.

https://www.streetment.com/collections/hard-drive-accessories/products/2-5-3-5-sata-iii-to-usb-3-0-hard-drive-adapter?variant=31376296116320
566774, RE: Here is a new one for me.
Posted by kittenmueller, Thu Dec-10-20 06:35 PM
Thanks, guys. Gg it a free monitor this am so I'll see what I can do. Last resort is take Hd to techs in town to get pics off. That's all she wants. Then maybe I'll rebuild the desktop. Any clue on $$ to transfer pics to thumb?? Thanks
566775, RE: Here is a new one for me.
Posted by Long Island Umpire, Thu Dec-10-20 08:08 PM
The tried and true method to retrieve files from a Windows system is to use Ubuntu flavor of Linux. No install is needed, simply "test drive" the Live version to access the files and send them to a thumb drive. Then you can view, transfer or have files printed from the portable drive. Done it many times and the price is right....FREE.

Tom

Recover your files from any Windows pc that fails to boot (Using a Linux cd)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvsJ6OtSgTY

CURRENT UBUNTU DOWNLOAD: (12/10/2020): https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop