[adlb1300]

The fan on my parents computer has died. It is an older XP desktop computer that they were planning on replacing soon anyways so instead of fixing the fan they are going to get a new laptop. Obviously they have stuff on the hard drive they would like to keep. I know the fan being down can cause damage to the computer. I happen to have the exact same computer at my home so my thought was to take the hard drive out of theirs and add it to mine so I could get their files off the drive without risking a meltdown and loss of everything. Then I could transfer the data to their new laptop from my desktop. I believe one of the drives has to be the slave of the other one so in my case theirs would be the slave to mine. Just curious how to go about doing this since theirs has an operating system (which is the same as on mine) on it, etc. Or would it be ok to run the computer without the fan long enough to get the data off the hard drive?

Thanks

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Hi adlb1300
The way you install a second HDD depends on whether it is the IDE or SATA type, please advise us of the type, if you don`t know please provide the computer details as in brand and model name or series (not serial) number so we can do some research.
Another more convenient option is to use an external USB HDD enclosure as seen @ http://www.newegg.co...rnal-Enclosures or an adapter such as http://www.tigerdire...0658&CatId=3770 these are only examples and not recommendations to purchase, let us know if this helps and which way you wish to proceed.

Or would it be ok to run the computer without the fan long enough to get the data off the hard drive?

Not recommended, it will cost very little and take next to no time to replace a CPU fan but the same cannot be said for replacing a fried CPU.

EDIT: Additional info added.

Edited by phillpower2, 05 November 2011 - 10:42 AM.

[phillpower2]

Hi adlb1300
The way you install a second HDD depends on whether it is the IDE or SATA type, please advise us of the type, if you don`t know please provide the computer details as in brand and model name or series (not serial) number so we can do some research.
Another more convenient option is to use an external USB HDD enclosure as seen @ http://www.newegg.co...rnal-Enclosures or an adapter such as http://www.tigerdire...0658&CatId=3770 these are only examples and not recommendations to purchase, let us know if this helps and which way you wish to proceed.

Or would it be ok to run the computer without the fan long enough to get the data off the hard drive?

Not recommended, it will cost very little and take next to no time to replace a CPU fan but the same cannot be said for replacing a fried CPU.

EDIT: Additional info added.

Edited by phillpower2, 05 November 2011 - 10:42 AM.

[adlb1300]

Sorry forgot to include the type. It is an IDE hard drive. The computer is a Dell Dimension 2400.

Thanks

[phillpower2]

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182153 chose this type as it only needs one USB connection which means your parents can use it as extra storage space when they purchase the new laptop, some enclosures require x2 USB connections which is a problem if you have less than 3 USB ports on your laptop.
Hope this helps, let us know how it goes or if you require anything further.

[adlb1300]

Thanks for the help. Is there a way to just add it to the tower I have without the additional case? Just curious as I will probably keep it for more storage on my machine and I have some space limits in terms of where I can put things.

[phillpower2]

A full guide http://www.bitwisema...aharddrive.html
Good luck and let us know how you get on or if we can assist in any way, remember stay safe, turn the power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall before opening up either PC.

[Digerati]

Hmmm, http://forums.whatth...howtopic=121013

[adlb1300]

Thanks for your help