Morgy

ALL IS WELL Using Linux Mint and external HDD drive I've retrieved all of my data off the desktop. Next, I'll fiddle about and see if I can find out what's wrong on the desktop - might learn something in the process. Many thanks everybody. Might even become a Linux convert! Will keep in touch. Kind Regards Peter

Think I got this the wrong way around but some exciting success. I loaded Linux Mint on DVD onto the Desktop which has the Windows fault - booted up and hey presto; I can see everything on the hard drives and read my data http://extremetechsupport.com/images/icons/icon7.png. I did not install Linux. I think you had meant for me to load the DVD with Linux Mint onto the working laptop and access the desktop HDDs from the caddy http://extremetechsupport.com/images/icons/icon11.png. The caddy has a its own power supply. I'm now almost afraid to turn-off the desktop having got this far. I'm presently trying copy my data onto DVDs using the desktop - but keep getting failures, apparently because of the length of some file names. I'm about to read the Linux User Guide so might have more success after that. It's a great learning experience! Next I'll load Linux Mint onto the laptop and try accessing HDDs from caddy; might it be possible then to 'move' files from the Linux window into MS Windows. Interestingly, on the desktop I can see the Dell Restore program - any idea if it would be possible to run this from Linux? I'm afraid to try in case I mess things up. Many thanks for all the advice. Peter

Tried to reply earlier today - but not sure if I sent correctly. I'll try briefly again - apologies if you get this twice:- Bought a USB adapter to access disks - but having a problem accessing the data. I'm using my Dell Laptop running Windows 7 connected to the adapter. In Device Manager I can see the disk, but it shows the volume as zero. Opening up 'my computer' and trying to access drive for adapter I get message --- 'drive not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognised file system.' When trying to access the disk the User Account icon popped up and kept flashing. Brief research on the Web suggests that I may need to change my User Account settings to enable me to access the disk. I've never had need to alter the User Account so don't fancy adjusting settings in case I upset the laptop. Would be grateful for any ideas on problem in accessing data. Might it have something to do with the fact that the disks I need to access have RAID format? Many thanks for reading

Many thanks for that KenB - will get one now; and report back. Kind Regards Peter. Edited by Plastic Nev.

XP Home Edition Dell Dimension 9150 - 6 yrs old - twin 160GB SATA HD Switched off - noticed message saying 'new program installed' - but only saw this too late, as I clicked to shut down. Switched on - BIOS bar completes - Windows logo appears with blue bar running for what seems to be normal time; then blank screen and, after short period, BSOD. Forced shutdown and restart - tried all options available from F12 and F8 - ie., Safe Mode also ends in BSOD Tried diagnostics by booting to Utility - this runs OK and everything reported as OK. Tried this twice since didn't believe no problem. Error messages:- STOP: 0 X 000000C2 0 X 00000043 0 X DACDC000 ------ this last error message varies slightly at each trial restart - but same format of all letters. Have tried repair ® option by booting to CD ROM using OS Disc supplied with machine; but just ends up with BSOD as before with error messages as above. I need to get my data off HDs - and don't care about programs as I have originals. If necessary I'll put new HDs back in machine. I was contemplating buying a hard disk copy console and connecting to my laptop - but not sure if this will work since I can't access the OS on the HD. I've seen several advertised but unsure of which - if any - would allow me to retrieve data. I'll be buying a remote HDD for backup asap! Many thanks for reading.