Computer Question

[dexfarkin]

In unbelievably awful news, my laptop might have just died. When I try to boot it, it reads 'Operating System not found' right after the start up. Now my question is this. It was working fine last night at the pub, and I put it in my bag. I don't believe my bag was jarred or dropped at any point. However, I did have a one inch joke fridge magnet rattling around in the bag. Is a small magnet enough to blow the hard drive of a laptop overnight? If not, what other possible issues are there to explain that. Is so, is there any way to recover the data.

I ask because my laptop has been both my work and game repository. Without it, all of my Johnny material is gone. All of my XP material is gone. 30 wiki entries, gone. My entire scripting portfolio, gone. So, some good news/solutions would help.

EDIT: Does anyone coming up have a proper Windows Installation CD they can bring with them?

EDIT2: My laptop was a work one, so I believe it was running Windows NT, though I'm not entirely sure. I have no great commitment to NT, as long as I can get at most of my data.

Comments

[deathpixie]

Dex is saying he doesn't have a Windows CD, he doesn't _think_, so if you (or anyone coming to New Years) could bring one with them, that'd be great. Otherwise he'll have to try his folks.

[redhawk.livejournal.com]

If there's a computer store nearby, an investment of roughly $10-20 USD can potentially SAVE HIS ASS.

I just checked Newegg - external USB laptop HD enclosures run about $10-20. If we can get one, we can mount his laptop HD to someone else's Windows machine (doesn't Bry have a desktop as well?) to back up the data. Then wipe, reinstall, and move the data back on.

Tedious? Yes. Doable? Definitely.

If you want more details, call me.

[dexfarkin.livejournal.com]

Red, I've got a desktop. When you get up here, we'll drop by the computer store and you can point out what I need. I'd really appreciate it.

[redhawk.livejournal.com]

Not a problem.

For the record, what you need is a USB 2.0 2.5" external hard drive enclosure.

Doing some online checking of Amazon and newegg, and you're looking at maybe $20 US. Tops.

I know your budget is tight, but how much is this data worth to you? ;)

[deathpixie]

Money's not a problem, Red. $20 is fine - we're both working stiffs these days. ;)

[redhawk.livejournal.com]

Hey, I did not want to assume.

At the _absolute_ max, we're looking at $40. If it proves to be too rich for your blood, I'll get it and take it home with me.

Regardless, we'll get one and get things settled out.

[deathpixie]

Sorting this out is Very Good. All of Dex's Wiki stuff is on there. ;)