Hey, everyone. I'm new here, and not really the most computer savvy chick around. I can use one great, but when it comes to hardware... I am not in the know. Any plain english help for the non-computer-hardware-inclined would be fantastic; I know nothing about this process, and any and all explanations would be so appreciated.

So I purchased an HP Pavilion dv4250ca notebook PC in early 2006, and everything that could go wrong with it has. You know, all after the warranty expired. Isn't that always the case?

Anyhow, the problem is this. Recently, the AC jack fried, and once the battery on my computer drained, I was left without a way to access my files. The problem is not the cable; I have checked it on my brother's pavilion (a different model, but uses the same cord). I have put enough money into this stupid computer to not want to throw more away on it since everything is just going wrong. I know a docking station is a possibility, but I'd rather not for a computer I'll be replacing soon. What I would like to do is get a new laptop, and so I shall. I just really badly would like to rescue my files off the pavilion's HD.

I've tried googling this, and while there are lots of mention of similar problems, all the responses and solutions are written in such a way that I have no idea what's what.

Aside from hiring someone to do it for me, how could I transfer the files from my pavilion's hard drive onto either my PC, or the new laptop I will be getting? What would I need to do it?

Thank you! (I'm sorry that was longwinded.)

You can buy a cheap laptop to desktop adapter so you can install the laptop drive in a desktop computer and transfer the files over to the desktop computer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-5-Laptop-Hard-Drive-...id=p3286.c0.m14

or buy a external hard drive enclosure so you can keep using the laptop drive as a backup drive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-5-EXTERNAL-LAPTOP-HA...id=p3286.c0.m14

SRX660

Thanks, SRX660! I purchased an external hard drive enclosure from Best Buy today. However... while I plug the drive into my new laptop (a vaio running on vista), I get a message saying it's been installed-- but I can't access it. It's not showing up in the My Computer screen, nor is it showing up in Disk Management. Help?

The usual problem on that is there is not enough voltage supplied by the USB port to run the hard drive. I have numerous external cases that are USB powered that windows won't see the drive. USB ports can only supply 500 milliamps( .5 volts)and it may be that you need more. I would try a external enclosure that has its own power supply.

SRX660

One with it's own power supply.... looking on ebay and google, most of what I find are simply external hard drives and aluminium external enclosures without a supply. Where would I go about getting one, or could you point me in the direction of a page that has one so I know what to look for? Please?

New question; would a USB Y cable possibly be able to supply enough power to access the HDD, versus getting the afforementioned external power supply....?

I have a external laptop HD enclosure that uses a double USB connector so it has enough voltage to run a laptop HD. While it does run my 10 gig IBM laptop drive it will NOT run a 40 gig Toshiba drive that i have. I also have a Maddog USB enclosure that uses a double USB connection, One for data and one for power. That external enclosure will NOT power up the toshiba drive also. What i did was take a Ericsson 6 volt 700 mA power supply and cut off the end adapter and splice in the Maddog end adapter for the enclosure. Viola, i now have a working External USB 40 gig drive. I'm not saying you should do this but it does work for me.

It may be that even a single USB cable will power up your laptop drive, or a double end cable will do the trick. All you can do is try.

In the mean time look at these. I am cheap so i did not buy them. At the same time the 40 gig drive started working for me with the adapted Power supply i used, SO i didn't buy these.

power supply
http://www.xpcgear.com/25imexthddps.html

External enclosure
http://www.xpcgear.com/byteccue930.html

SRX660

Just some info for people I would be lost without mine

USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive With Power Adapter

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TeckNet-2-5-Inch-3...r/dp/B000Q5YW76

Thanks guys! I'm waiting on a laptop to desktop adapter, AND a usb y cable to arrive in the mail. Hopefully one of those works, but if not... I'll try the other options. I'll keep you posted! Thank you again.