My Computer is broken but I NEED to back it up...How?

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My Computer is broken but I NEED to back it up...How?

by Britt
(Quincy, MA USA)

So my HP Pavillion Entertainment PC is "hurtin". A book bag landed on the keyboard (left half) and the screen instantly went into a crazy array of blue, black, and white lines. HP tech support wants me to send it in to them for a minimum of $400 and GeekSquad says it may need to be rebuilt...Dah! Anyway, I have all my documents, pictures, and music on that computer and I really can't lose it. I keep being told that, prior to repairs, it is suggested that I back up my computer. Right, but the keyboard is useless and the screen is too. How to I back up a computer and save all my info if that is the case. Anyone, anyone? Help Please!

Thanks.

Britt

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My Computer is broken but I NEED to back it up...How?

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Jun 16, 2009
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Damaged laptop
by: Support

Hello Britt,

I think the book bag did more damage to the laptop than just the keyboard. It sounds like maybe the video ribbon cable or connector was damaged also.

You have a couple of options -

You can hook up an external monitor and keyboard and see if the computer will start, then use an external device to back up the hard drive.

Or

You could take the hard drive out of the computer before you send it off to be repaired.

If you have another computer you could put the hard drive in an external hard drive enclosure and get to the data that way - a thought.

The problem with removing the hard drive from the computer is if it is damaged then HP will not replace it.

Hope this helps...