General Technology & Troubleshooting Topics

[#1]

I wonder if it is possible to transfer a 45GB HD (Windows XP OS) to a minicomputer (Windows XP OS).  My reason is that I have a laptop that I can no longer access because one keyboard letter does not work, and it happens to be one that Is in my log on password.

Thanks for any help

[#2]

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alfie wrote:

I wonder if it is possible to transfer a 45GB HD (Windows XP OS) to a minicomputer (Windows XP OS).  My reason is that I have a laptop that I can no longer access because one keyboard letter does not work, and it happens to be one that Is in my log on password.

Thanks for any help

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Just remove the drive from the laptop and put it into an external USB enclosure.  It will then act as an external drive and you can access all of your data.

[#3]

Thanks for your reply.  I don't know what an external usb enclosure is.  But, if I do as you say,  what would I be plugging the enclosure into?  Won't I face the same problem?  Ie., after windows boots up, won't I still be faced with a Windows password I can't enter because of a missing PW letter?

I just bought this Toshiba & it has VISTA OS.  The computer in question is a Dell laptop-too old to invest much  $ for repairs - with a windows XP OS.  Would I be connecting the USB enclosure to the Dell?  As you can tell, my computer knowledge does not amount to much.  Thanks for your patience. 

[#4]

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alfie wrote:

Thanks for your reply.  I don't know what an external usb enclosure is. 

Look at this page at NewEgg.com for reference.  It is important that you get the proper internal connection for the drive you have.  There are two choices:  PATA and SATA.  Your Dell is probably PATA, but you have to look at the drive to make sure.  If you're still lost, any competent computer shop can do the job.

But, if I do as you say,  what would I be plugging the enclosure into?  Won't I face the same problem?  Ie., after windows boots up, won't I still be faced with a Windows password I can't enter because of a missing PW letter?

As I indicated in my original reply, you will not boot from the drive.  It is connected to another computer and is treated as another data drive.  You may have to perform some administrative actions to take control of the folders you want to access, but that's a bridge to be crossed later.

I just bought this Toshiba & it has VISTA OS.  The computer in question is a Dell laptop-too old to invest much  $ for repairs - with a windows XP OS.  Would I be connecting the USB enclosure to the Dell? 

No, you'll connect the enclosure to the new computer.

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[#5]

Or, reset your password so that you don't need that letter.  Or use a external usb keyboard.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/