Transferring files from a hard drive - help!

[lyssa615]

I am using a SATA to USB adapter to transfer files from my broken laptop to a working computer. I removed the hard drive, hooked everything up, and then during the transfer process, Windows was not responding. I closed everything out, restarted my computer, connected the adapter again (via USB) and now my computer is not recognizing it at all. When I plug it into the port, absolutely nothing happens.

Any idea what the problem could be? It literally just worked. I really hope I can recover the files on my hard drive!

 

[strollin]

Maybe the USB/SATA adapter failed. Is the external hdd powered up? You should hear a faint humming and a little vibration if the drive is powered up. Have you tried other USB ports on the computer?

Can you try plugging into a different computer? Any chance you have another drive you can try?

 

[9006]

Maybe the USB/SATA adapter failed.

Either that or the HDD failed completely during the transfer process, maybe this was the problem with the laptop?

I know if you're transferring files from such a device like an external HDD and the "link" is broken it can cause Windows to hang. I'm sure you can download tools from some drive manufactures that check things like S.M.A.R.T on the drive, but like strollin said simply see if it's powering up first; put your ear to it as you plug it in.