Current Events > Most reliable way to retrieve data from a dead laptop?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Is it using a IDE/SATA to USB cable or one of those hard drive enclosure kits? Or do I just install it in my PC?

My uncle has the "Your DIMM1 and DIMM2 Module Organization is not the same" error upon booting his laptop. I've already researched the potential fixes and am positive I can fix it if need be. But he probably is going to end up deciding to buy a new laptop rather than get a new RAM module for me to install.
So I'll likely need to retrieve the data from his HDD from a laptop that won't boot which is something that seems simple enough, but I have little experience with or equipment for doing so. So I figured I might as well just ask first before I start buying things that aren't really needed.

Yeah, just install it in your PC.

I have used an external case before and it has worked okay for me.

Here's a cheap sata to usb cable I use often. When he gets his new laptop, just plug in his old drive and copy the data over. He'll have to reinstall any programs of course. https://a.co/d/gCgKkEa

You can also connect the drive to your desktop, copy everything over to a USB drive, and move it to his new laptop. Slightly more annoying but saves you $8.

Thanks for the quick replies, guys!
Think I will be going with BlazinBlue88's suggestion. I don't get the chance to visit my uncle all that often so just being able to do it in one visit seems more convenient rather than taking it back home with me and him having to wait until I have the time to visit again.

TheSavageDragon posted...

Thanks for the quick replies, guys!
Think I will be going with BlazinBlue88's suggestion. I don't get the chance to visit my uncle all that often so just being able to do it in one visit seems more convenient rather than taking it back home with me and him having to wait until I have the time to visit again.

Oh one thing I forgot to mention, the permissions may be a little wacky when trying to access the old drive on the new laptop. Google how to "take ownership" over a folder to fix these permissions.

When my laptop died, I just took the HDD out and used a SATA(?) to USB and it worked fine. It took FOREVER to process like 400gigs to display on it but after that it just worked like an external hard drive and was super easy to recover stuff

EDIT: Yep, literally what post #5 said. I dont recall have any ownership trouble tho