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July 18th, 2023 11:00
Transfer data from Optiplex' SSD to laptop
Good day,
My Optiplex 9020 died successfully and won't boot any more (stuck on Dell logo)
I do not hope to reanimate him, but do hope to get data out of the Optiplex' internal SSD
Since Dell still powers on somehow, and CPU fan is spinning, I suppose SSD gets some power too, so I wonder if I buy some cheap cable like this one - would that be ok to connect Optiplex SSD to my laptop and read/copy data?
This cable has 2 USB ports, probably second one is for power? Then, I won't need to keep my SSD powered by Dell desktop, at all?
Or do I need completely other cable. I am not very keen, in this stuff.
Thanks!!
filbert
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July 18th, 2023 13:00
1. You didn't say what type of drive you have. I'm not familiar with your model, so find out your type of drive. e.g. 2.5" SATA, M.2 SATA, M.2 NVMe.
2. I suggest that you remove the drive, so you can determine what type it is.
3. You can buy an external drive adapter (sort of like what you linked) or an external drive enclosure. You must get one that is compatible with your type of drive. For example, this enclosure accommodates M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe. I'm not recommending that particular enclosure, it's just an example. You would connect the adapter or enclosure to a USB port on the laptop and transfer your files from the old drive to the laptop drive.
4. Or, if your laptop has a spare drive bay that can accept your drive, you could install the drive into the laptop in order to transfer your files from that old drive to the laptop drive.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)
filbert
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July 18th, 2023 22:00
Of course, backups are important. However, it appears that OP doesn't have one, which is why he needs advice on how to salvage files from that drive.
That is not correct. One does not need to boot from the drive in order to transfer data from it. OP can boot from his laptop drive and use a USB adapter or enclosure to transfer files from the desktop drive.
In fact, it's not even necessary to boot from a Windows system to retrieve files from the old drive. That old drive can be accessed from a Windows system or a Linux boot. It makes no difference whether the old drive is still bootable or not, as we don't need it to boot. It needs only to be accessible, such as via an external USB adapter or enclosure, to transfer its files to another drive.
I did not suggest that the OP boot the laptop from the old Optiplex drive. That would make no sense. It's just an option that if there is a free drive bay in the laptop that will accommodate the old Optiplex drive, it could be installed there rather than in an external USB adapter or enclosure.
OP would boot from the laptop's drive, and just transfer files from the old Optiplex drive. As long as the laptop was able to boot from its own drive before installing the Optiplex's drive, it will continue to boot from its own drive with the Optiplex's drive installed as a storage drive, in spite of it having an OS on it.
Just as when people clone a system to a new drive, the problem occurs only when the old drive is left in the system during first attempted boot of the new drive. Once the new drive boots even once, then the old drive can be reinstalled without issue.
Anyway, I suggested OP use an external USB adapter or enclosure, which is what I would do. Installing the old drive into the laptop's spare drive bay, if it has one, was just another option if OP didn't want to buy an external USB device.
filbert
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July 19th, 2023 09:00
Yes, that should work. If you had not yet bought anything, I might suggest a different brand that I'm familiar with and maybe with USB 3. But, If you already have it, it should be fine. It should do what you need.
Connect the drive to the adapter/interface. The, boot the laptop, and then connect the adapter's cable to one of your USB ports. Depending upon your settings in Windows, the drive's contents may appear, or you may need to open File Explorer yourself and then open the drive to see its contents.
bradthetechnut
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July 18th, 2023 20:00
9020 doesn't take M.2 drive.
It's important to always keep important files and/or data backed up outside of PC. One can't just transfer files from a boot drive unless the thing boots.
Caution with #4 above. If you can boot your SSD in your laptop, you might be able to get the files that way. If two Win10 boot drives are installed the same machine, the two drives will detect each other and Win10 will corrupt itself and give BSOD.
HMR
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July 19th, 2023 09:00
Thanks for replies!!
Indeed I had some backup but not all, therefore transfer need.
Laptop does not any extra space to install SSD, so the cable was my option.
I checked maker's manual prior to writing here but it only said "SATA" regarding ports and SSD. However I opened Optiplex and detached SSD and it seems it is this model
So shall the cable from my initial post do? Sorry I am still not clear about it.
Thanks!!!
HMR
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July 19th, 2023 11:00
Thanks!
I'll try to go with my posted cable then, also it's cheap so I won't cry much if something
Just one confirmation - what does it exactly mean "Connect the drive to the adapter/interface"? Adapter is probably the cable I shall buy, but "Interface" - is it Optiplex' PSU cable?
ups sorry and one more thing
Does cable need 2 USB ports, like the one from my post? Because, I shall need to choose another one - that post cable is too long to ship...
bradthetechnut
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July 19th, 2023 14:00
I don't believe somebody could just take my boot drive with Win10 password, not boot from it, but just transfer files from it. But if filbert proves me wrong, I stand corrected. So let please let us know how it goes.
filbert
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July 19th, 2023 14:00
Have you never done that? I've done it many times to recover files for people whose computers died. As long as the drive is not encrypted, a Windows password provides zero protection if that drive is accessed from another system.
And, if your drive is not encrypted, I could also remove your Windows password so that I could boot from your drive. A Windows password alone is trivial protection that is easily bypassed or removed.
filbert
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July 19th, 2023 15:00
Adapter and interface refer to the same device. It's just different terms for the same thing. Sometimes they're called adapters, sometimes I see them labelled as interfaces. It's what you have. No, you will not use the Optiplex PSU cable. All you need is the drive from the Optiplex, and the new adapter and its USB cable.
Some adapters may have a two-part cable to connect to two USB ports in order to provide sufficient power to the drive. Adapters that I've used need only a single cable when using a 2.5" laptop drive. But, use what the adapter manufacturer says is necessary for their product.
bradthetechnut
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July 19th, 2023 15:00
Well, excuse the heck out of me.
HMR
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July 19th, 2023 20:00
Many thanks for confirming!!
Just bought a cable, shall receive it in few days and hopefully report here
bradthetechnut
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July 22nd, 2023 12:00
Even though filbert and I at first differed, I'm glad you got it working!! : )
HMR
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July 22nd, 2023 12:00
Well purchased cable seem to work fine! SSD got connected to laptop OK and I can open files etc.
If anyone shall ever care - I got this one
Thanks for help!!!
filbert
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July 22nd, 2023 13:00
Excellent. I'm glad to hear it. And now you realize how trivial it is to bypass a Windows password. A Windows password alone is like locking the front door of your house, but leaving the windows open. It might prevent someone from entering the front door, but doesn't prevent them from climbing in a window.