more help!

[petes_dragon]

hey,

I've got a load of photo's on my old laptop that i need to transfer either to my new one or to disc - only problem is that the old laptop has a broken screen (hence the new one) so I can't see very much to xfer the files as most of the screen is missing!

Any ideas of a way around this??

Thanks
A xXx

[Ethel]

The simple way is to buy an external hard drive caddy that plugs in to the USB port of your new pc.

This turns your current internal hard drive as a fully functional additional external hard drive.

Very useful, not only for accessing your current files, but for additional storage.

[fo3nix]

I'd entirely agree with ethel.

The only thing you'll need to know is what connection type your internal drive is. IDE, SATA, etc.

If you have the instruction manual, or know the model number, you can find out online from the manufacturer's website.

And it's normally easy to get access to the hard drive.

[gobbledegeek]

I think Ethel and fo3nix are missing the point. Yes, you can put all the photos onto an external disk or memory stick but the old laptop has a broken screen so I'm assuming you can't see what you're transferring.
If that's the case try to borrow a screen from someone and plug the screen into the laptop. There's usually a function key you can press to select 'external video'. You should then be able to start up the old laptop and transfer your files onto the external disk to use later on your new laptop.

[Ethel]

Gobbledegeek - you have missed the point of our posts.

We have not suggested using a memory stick or external drive.

We have suggested physically REMOVING the existing hard drive from the broken pc, and putting it into an external caddy. This turns the EXISTING hard drive into an external hard drive, whilst retaining all the information on it so that it can be accessed by any pc.

Like this:
http://tinyurl.com/26lw66

But not that particular one as it is only an example and may not be suitable for petes_dragon hard drive

[petes_dragon]

hello,

thanks for the answers - I've tried putting an external screen on the laptop but had a problem with the drivers and it didn't work!!

I like the external caddy idea - how would I go about removing the exisiting hard drive from my old laptop?...is it quite straight forward?

A xXx

[Ethel]

If you can use a screwdriver and follow the instructions it is a straightforward 10 minute job.

Your new computer will see it as an extra drive just like any other external hard drive.

The tricky bit is taking the time to make sure you buy the right one for your hard drive.

This is something I would recommend everyone who has a sound hard drive in a broken pc do, or if they are disposing of an old pc. Make use of the old hard drive and quick and easy transfer of files.

[furnitureman]

You need the Tornado http://www.thetornado.com/ . It's a usb device that plugs in usb on each machine. Does usb1 and usb2, any operating system from w98se. You get the contents of both hard drives on both machines - just drag and drop. Doesn't matter if laptop screen is fut as long as it boots. The Tornado is on QVC for about �31, a bit dearer if bought directly, plus you get PC Eraser to blat the machine after the transfer!