I have a Sony Vaio running Windows XP Pro SP2. Recently, the Toshiba (100GB) hard drive has failed, and is unbootable. Upon boot, I was unable to boot into safe mode. After speaking with Sony reps, I was told to run the Sony Recovery Tool, which did nothing except to provide a blue screen. Now, every time I try to boot, it automatically boots into the Recovery Tool, which only gets me stuck again.

I have a new HD and usb enclosure now attached via usb, but it is unrecognized by the laptop and HD recovery tools.

I would like to hopefully transfer the files from the old hard drive to the new one, but without the new one being recognized attached by usb, it is a problem. If I try attaching the old hard drive to the external enclosure and transferring files on another computer, the "another computer" freezes or runs extremely slowly when trying to even recognize or access the old drive. Checkdisk stops at 75% and tells me that it cannot continue. What would you suggest? Thanks.

basically, these recovery disks start by partitioning, formatting and reinstalling the OS, this will overwrite most sectors of the drive data.

you probably don't have much to lose at this point by trying one of the available recovery tools, but don't hold out much hope that much will be recoverable.

It really comes down to how much is the data worth? then goto professional recovery services.

It is possible to make the laptop not boot into the Sony Recovery Tool and back to the advanced startup menu options? F8 doesn't bypass the recovery's start up.

Also, shouldn't it be possible to transfer files from the laptop HD to a usb connected drive?

Which recovery tools might be recommended? Thanks.

ultimate boot cd will allow partition resizing with one of the many tools on the CD.

Ultimate Boot CD

then use "bartpe". set bios to boot to cd drive first then copy what y'all want to save to the new partition.

both these are freeware both about 50/60 MB.

am u/l a copy of bartpe now and will update this post when finished, about 15 min.

Link to Bart PE ISO

Regarding UBCD, I do have it, but am unfamiliar with some of the tools. In particular, the ones that might help me in this instance. Which one might you recommend? Also, how would partition resizing help? (I ask because I haven't tried before and so am a bit unfamiliar with it).

I have read a little about BartPE, but am still not sure if it will allow the laptop to recognize a usb HD to allow me to perhaps transfer files?

I appreciate your help.

bart pe will recognise the usb drive. and since y'all use a usb drive there'll be no need to resize/make partitions.

one more thing. the copy of bart pe i put up won't boot. i made an iso and am u/l it now so hang on. most burn softwares will do an iso.

Thank you for all your help so far. I have loaded BartPE, however am unsure of how to begin transferring files? What would be some good first steps?

yer welcome aaaaa
i'd open one of the bart file managers and copy/paste folders. there's no way to clone that drive with bart. then run yer recovery cd. i'm sure you'll need to reinstall a bunch of software but y'all can save email, address book, pix, tunes etc. etc. i think the bart file managers are under programs named Total Commander and A4.

Using Total Commander, I am able to view 5 different drives. 2 of them are RAM and CD. I'm not sure why there are 3 total other drives. I believe I am able to view my external usb connected HD, however when trying to view either of the other two drives, the program tells me that it is not found.

Is there a possible solution to this? Also, is there a way to perhaps just copy the Docs and Settings from the old hard drive using another way? Thanks.

there is 1 possibility. if y'all can remove the bad drive, put it in the freezer for a few hrs, then reinstall and try to recover yer data. other than that it seems to me to be toast. we tried anyway.

Is there a proper way to put it in a freezer (freezer bag perhaps)? Also, I heard that after you do this type of thing, either you can get your data, or you'll never be able to get it again. Is this typically true?

Once again, I appreciate all your help.

well here's most of the answers to your question. do use a good ziplock freezer bag. it does work if the drive isn't completely crashed.

http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/01/f...cover-data.html

i mean what ya got to loose.