Help this computer illiterate girl

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

So last year while I was gone for 6ish weeks following Pearl Jam around on their tour, I left my newish laptop at home with my kidlings. Someone dropped it. No one will confess, of course, and really it doesn't matter who it was, but it's been broken since.

The insides are fine, but the hinges that open and close it are broken. To use it I have to set it on a table and have something behind it to hold it open.

So, is it possible to buy a non working, as in the hard drive is dead, similar laptop and put my working hard drive in it?

Everything internal works on mine, but my grandchild and my pug have knocked mine shut a couple times and the ribbon that connects the monitor to my keyboard part is not going to be attached much longer. Today the screen has flashed black a couple times so I think I need to find a fix sooner than later.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Hi CWM

Yes you can. I’ve put drives from from different machines into others for various reasons.

Sometimes the new machine has a small hissy fit because the original software can’t find it’s mate on the new one. But two things - back up your files onto a memory stick or larger drive if you have a lot of photos or videos. However, if you buy a second hand machine with a dead drive, you really don’t know what else is wrong with it.

I would suggest buying a used machine from a small computer shop and ask them to transfer your data across.

Pm me if you want to go into more details.

 

[SynSlave]

Hi CWM

Yes you can. I’ve put drives from from different machines into others for various reasons.

Sometimes the new machine has a small hissy fit because the original software can’t find it’s mate on the new one. But two things - back up your files onto a memory stick or larger drive if you have a lot of photos or videos. However, if you buy a second hand machine with a dead drive, you really don’t know what else is wrong with it.

I would suggest buying a used machine from a small computer shop and ask them to transfer your data across.

Pm me if you want to go into more details.

Yeah, if you're buying a laptop then than buy whatever you want and transfer your personal files. Rather than fiddle with swapping the drive an external backup, simple jump drive or Dropbox app will be far easier. Since you're old laptop still functions you can also simply throw them on the same home network and transfer without any hardware. If the oldlatop doesn't boot that's when you need to get more creative. When the old pc still works you have easier and simpler options.

 

[Jada59]

If there is a computer repair shop near you, they maybe able to help you.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Yes, you can swap drives from one laptop to another. Like was mentioned before it might complain a little, but windows is windows and OSx is OSx.

For windows you might have to go on the net and find some drivers for some of the hardware.

There are also devices that will replace your cd/dvd drive to add a second hard drive to your laptop.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Yes, you can swap drives from one laptop to another. Like was mentioned before it might complain a little, but windows is windows and OSx is OSx.

For windows you might have to go on the net and find some drivers for some of the hardware.

There are also devices that will replace your cd/dvd drive to add a second hard drive to your laptop.

I have successfully done this when both computers were the same make and model, which seems to be what the OP is suggesting. It could work, provided you're okay with taking apart your current laptop. I would also suggest that stick with the same make and model. Different laptops from different manufacturers means the cables connecting your old hard drive to your new laptop might not be compatiable.

I have a couple other suggestions.

#1: Buy a cheapo, external monitor, an external keyboard and mouse, and then stop trying to use it as a laptop and use it as a desktop, instead. Nowhere near as portable, but it keeps old tech useful for only a few bucks.

#2: Backing up everything you want to save from that laptop is crucial. Do it now while you can still see the screen. If the screen goes blank, you "might" be able to follow the first suggestion for how to gain access to your computer with the dead screen.

#3: Genuinely consider picking up a new machine instead of keeping that one going. Depending on the age of your laptop, even a low end, new computer may feel like a speed demon compared to your old laptop. Of course, it depends on the specs of your current computer, but there are lots of Christmas sales already beginning on computers. Any number of other Lit folks like me can help you with comparing specs, including how to find them.

 

[jsmiam]

How handy are you? ( no innuendo there ). I’m asking because a new screen assembly (the whole screen, frame, back, hinges together) off of eBay is viable too. At first it may seem intimidating, because often it’s taking off the cover (~ 8 screws), taking out the keyboard (2 screws), disconnecting a few ribbon cables, replacing the screen assembly, and reassembling, but it’s not that hard either, one step at a time. Bing it for your specific model and watch a couple videos to gauge it for yourself. And carefully check and compare prices and read the details. You want the same exact screen, including matching touch or no touch if your model had that choice

Hard drive moving can work too, but saying “complains a little” is underselling it a bit. It may potentially say it’s an invalid copy of Windows during restarts forever and ever, although it’ll still work. There are variations where if you can find the activation code from the old copy of Windows it’ll go well, but if you originally had Windows 7 or 8 before and got the free upgrade to Windows 10 a few years back, it is trickier and the invalid copy warnings will happen.

 

[NoJo]

My way of handling this problem (I have many years experience fixing computers) is to back up your stuff (i.e. documents, pics, movies etc) onto a usb drive, then just buy a new/reconditioned working laptop from a second-hand dealer and copy the stuff onto it. The dealer will probably recycle your old laptop for you.

 

[Blind_Justice]

I'll second the "save your files, trash the hardware" approach. Even decent new laptops aren't that expensive anymore - with around 300-400 bucks you can get yourself a rig which does everything exceptionally well except for high-end gaming. If you manage to get a good Black Friday/Christmas deal, your money will of course net you a bit more oomph.

The important thing for anyone using a computer on a regular basis, even if it's "only" for semi-professional writing is: KEEP BACKUPS. USB drives don't cost much. Have at least three sets of backups, preferably one off-site. Keep them updated on a regular basis. The nice thing with Windows since XP is the "my documents" folder. Unless you are one crazy, unorganized loon and save all your documents to the desktop, you will find your pics, songs and story files close to each other. Planting copies of your "My Music", "My Pictures" and your writing folders onto that USB drive each month should become a habit.

Over the years, I've had too many hard drives crap out on me and the thought of losing around six years worth of writing would be a real kick to the nuts. So I have three USB drives with my stuff - two in my desk and one at my parents-in-law's place. Whenever we go there for dinner, I'll rotate one of my fresh backups out so I always have one away from home should anything bad happen. Also, I do burn a DVD at least once a year with my stuff, just to be sure should anything happen to the USB drives. You could of course enlist a cloud storage service, but seriously - would you trust google or amazon with your data? I know I don't, so I'll store my stuff offline.

You don't want to copy&paste your stories off Lit, believe me. Getting them back into a clean text format is a job I don't even with upon my worst enemy.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I have successfully done this when both computers were the same make and model, which seems to be what the OP is suggesting. It could work, provided you're okay with taking apart your current laptop. I would also suggest that stick with the same make and model. Different laptops from different manufacturers means the cables connecting your old hard drive to your new laptop might not be compatiable.

I have a couple other suggestions.

#1: Buy a cheapo, external monitor, an external keyboard and mouse, and then stop trying to use it as a laptop and use it as a desktop, instead. Nowhere near as portable, but it keeps old tech useful for only a few bucks.

#2: Backing up everything you want to save from that laptop is crucial. Do it now while you can still see the screen. If the screen goes blank, you "might" be able to follow the first suggestion for how to gain access to your computer with the dead screen.

#3: Genuinely consider picking up a new machine instead of keeping that one going. Depending on the age of your laptop, even a low end, new computer may feel like a speed demon compared to your old laptop. Of course, it depends on the specs of your current computer, but there are lots of Christmas sales already beginning on computers. Any number of other Lit folks like me can help you with comparing specs, including how to find them.

Every computer, desktop or laptop, uses SATA connections for hard drives. And in a laptop, the disk drive plugs into the SATA connector on the Motherboard.

ETA: Forgot to add... Unless of course it an Apple.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'll second the "save your files, trash the hardware" approach. Even decent new laptops aren't that expensive anymore - with around 300-400 bucks you can get yourself a rig which does everything exceptionally well except for high-end gaming. If you manage to get a good Black Friday/Christmas deal, your money will, of course, net you a bit more oomph.

.

Totally agree. Flash drives and other backup drives don't cost much. It's almost effortless to backup and store data. USB ports, cables, and compatible drives are a universal way to move information around. I find it's not worth it investing in improving an old computer. Almost always, a new one of better capabilities can be purchased at the same or not much more cost. Have backup copies of your files and your applications, and if you have a problem get a new computer and load them onto the new computer. Then there's no need to hire anybody to recover anything.

I've had enough experience with sudden computer death that I try to back up everything I might possibly need fairly regularly. I'm leery of putting everything in the cloud (especially anything having to do with erotica), so I rely on physical backup systems -- backup drives. It's very simple, not costly, and not time-consuming.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I'm leery of putting everything in the cloud (especially anything having to do with erotica)

I don't know who said it, and I can't even remember where I heard it the first time, but wrt "the cloud": Replace the word "cloud" with the phrase "someone else's computer" and ask yourself if you're ok storing your stuff there.

I'm not, so I rely on physical back ups too.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Depending one whose cloud it is, beware. With Google Cloud, they claim ownership of whatever is out there. So if you use them, encrypt your files.

I use physical pack up... period. I have a 64gig sd flash drive that I use for monthly and a 64gig usb flash drive that is encrypted that use for weekly, along with a 1 terabyte hard drive to back up my import things and some of my other projects.

 

[Rustyoznail]

So last year while I was gone for 6ish weeks following Pearl Jam around on their tour...

BTW, I'm very jealous...

 

[SynSlave]

BTW, I'm very jealous...

Saw them at MSG. Best concert I've ever been to. Warped tour, Ozzfest, linkin park, drowning pool, metallica etc. Etc... Didn't even come close. Pearl jam and at the garden. If i never see a better show I'll die happy.

 

[oggbashan]

Saw them at MSG. Best concert I've ever been to. Warped tour, Ozzfest, linkin park, drowning pool, metallica etc. Etc... Didn't even come close. Pearl jam and at the garden. If i never see a better show I'll die happy.

My best show was hiring The Yardbirds, including Eric Clapton, for a private party. The partygoers were outnumbered by The Yardbirds, their musical friends and roadies. We had six hours of a full-on jam session.