Pulling files off a dead laptop with another computer

B

BimmerTech

New Member
Hello there,


I have an IBM T30 that is actually functioning (its not really dead) but it does NOT have an OS. When it boots it goes straight into this program instead. You have no other options. I would like to connect to this computer with another computer to try and pull everything off its HDD. So I can then install an OS system on it. And put the program back on it and leave it on the desktop.


Any ideas how I can connect to the computer? Given there is no OS system I don't know if I will be able to connect to it with a crossover cable.


I was thinking as an alternative I might be able to pull the HDD and mount it in the second bay on my desktop to access its database. But im not sure if I have cables to mount it yet.


Any ideas?
 
If there's no OS then what does it boot into? The computer can't function without an operating system.
 
voyagerfan99 said:
If there's no OS then what does it boot into? The computer can't function without an operating system.
Click to expand...


Played around with it a bit more. And it looks like its running Windows XP or at least a hacked version of it. When I played around with some function it had the Windows XP loading menu.

However it turns on and goes to a screen that looks similar to the multi boot screen on my Dell. It has two choices, both are the different car programs I originally boot the PC for. No other options. Those seem to be the OS's. Im thinking they may have modified the Windows XP system files to boot these programs.

When loading the programs you do not see any Windows XP signs. No win XP loading screen. Just DOS looking text on the screen showing the process's its taking. Then the program comes up.

Theres no other OS's available.


They probably put modified windows software on with a USB stick to run the programs, the boot sequence is USB -> internal HDD -> cd rom, etc.
 
Can you post Images of what the screen looks like booting up? You aren't giving us much information to go on.
 
If I understand what you want to do, install an OS on the computer then put the program back on the computer and be able to run it from the OS you install. It is unlikely that you will be able to do this unless you have the install disks for that program.

There is a possibility that you could do it provided the program is a DOS program in which all of the required files are installed into a single folder. If it is some kind of text only windows program then it is unlikely because Windows programs install their required files in various places on the drive as well as create entries in the registry.

We definitely need additional info before we could give you any concrete answers.

Can you provide the name of the program?
 
johnb35 said:
Can you post Images of what the screen looks like booting up? You aren't giving us much information to go on.
Click to expand...

Sure thing. I have to run out for a little bit but will do it when I get back in a few hours.

strollin said:
If I understand what you want to do, install an OS on the computer then put the program back on the computer and be able to run it from the OS you install. It is unlikely that you will be able to do this unless you have the install disks for that program.

There is a possibility that you could do it provided the program is a DOS program in which all of the required files are installed into a single folder. If it is some kind of text only windows program then it is unlikely because Windows programs install their required files in various places on the drive as well as create entries in the registry.

We definitely need additional info before we could give you any concrete answers.

Can you provide the name of the program?
Click to expand...

I want to basically copy the hard drive so I can poke around in it from my other computer and make another working copy of the program.

That program is called DIS, its a BMW factory diagnostic tool used to diagnose vehicles. I have a different version of there current software loaded onto my desktop and now loaded onto two of my laptops. This program is there older version. I would like to put both of them on the same laptop as they each have there own specialty.

If I can see/copy the contents of the laptops HDD onto my desktop I could attempt making a working copy of it.


I do own an external hard drive. Is there any program I can use to make it automatically copy a hard drive without needing a user prompted approval?

Or possibly a way to connect to the computer via a direct connection from the bios?

Or is it possible to connect the HDD to my desktop. It has an odd pin set up. Laptop is a T30 IBM if i didn't already mention that.

Ill take some quick pictures

B77B2F73-CE02-4B3B-9D89-8CDC265ACC24_zpserpmzxea.jpg


701FE3E5-F553-40AD-BF10-438111C07544_zpskqhrsgpw.jpg
 
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sammyrg said:
What is the default os?
Click to expand...

I believe he is right. Those are the only two options for an OS. Even though after hooking the HDD up to my PC via USB I see 5 partitions on the drive. Like I said above I have seen a Windows XP loading screen after playing around in the bios. Im thinking whoever made it some how buried the program in the OS.

johnb35 said:
I'm assuming the default OS is the one the with the asterisk on it. Those 2 entries are actually the bmw programs. I'm not sure if those would work within an OS. Are there windows versions of these programs?

In order to pull that data off the drive you will need to get something like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...usb_hard_drive_adapter-_-12-156-102-_-Product
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. Yes you are correct. I actually ended up getting a USB to IDE/SATA cable its basically the same as the adapter your listed but with a USB cable, coming out of it. I can see a lot of the data now. But I cannot copy the HDD as it states access is denied. I was hoping to plop it all into a folder on my desktop so I would have a back up that I could play around with. But maybe pulling the files off will be enough. I might be able to make it work that way.

And to answer your other question yes I believe they are all for windows based software as far as I know.
 
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