Computer HELP!

[whodaman]

In this instance Google is not my friend, so i am hoping that someone here can help me out!

I am very familiar with most things computers, so you don't have to really dumb down you suggestions.

First off, my sisters Dell laptop just turned off yesterday, and it will not turn back on...any suggestions as to the problem?

secondly, i took out her hard drive and connected it to my IDE to USB cable and plugged it into my laptop (as if it was an external HD) to back up her files. However, i cannot access any of her files due to not having permission. Is this due to her having an administrator password on her drive?? if so, how do you remove that password (or change the permissions) without booting from that drive?

I hope i made some sense! Thanks.

[Marcin2105]

The dead laptop could be a fail on the motherboards power converter. Powers most likely being supplied but on the input to the board it could be fried. Or the board just completely died on her.

The HD ... there is a DOS password remover that I once had but I don't know where the disk is. I'd have to look into it. Thing is this worked mostly when you were booting from the drive ... not sure if there is a password removal program floating around that will do it off a External. Best to look around.

Sorry if this was just noise.

[gabbygenier]

for hte laptop itself it could be various things.

for the hard drive, ive done that before and i had to make myself (admin) on the computer i was using the admin on the "new" hard drive. it was a long process since it had to go through every single file in the hard drive and remove the password, i cant remember how i did it but ill try and search it, i was told there is an easier way but cant remember how. i know you can get a password remover disk but its a dos program and unsure on how it works, ive just seen it done at work.

[tmpz]

Try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874/

[SilentJay]

Which version of windows was she running? Win7 has encryption built in, I believe.

[whodaman]

Which version of windows was she running? Win7 has encryption built in, I believe.

She is running Win. XP Home, and I am running Win 7 Ultimate.


Thanks tmpz, I'll give that a shot tonight. I thought about going that route (file sharing permissions) but i wasn't sure that it was the problem..the more i think about it...it just might be.

[Krakor]

Does her laptop incorporate a security chip for the drive if it is removed?
I have a few Toshiba units that are like that. There is a chip that does not allow access to the files unless it is installed in the original unit.

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in.

[blankets3]

Back up - download roadkills unstopabe copy or just plug it into a caddy n hook it up into a vista or windows 7 machine n take permissions and become owner If ud like a write up let me know, orr if ur rly confused n give up bring it to me at futureshop I'll do it for u for a 1/2 price rate

not booting - try removing the batt. ( make sure laptop is un plugged ) hold down the power buttion for 30 seconds and plug the ac in only ( wall power ) and try booting up if nothing happens ( no lights, h/d sounds or fans than congradulations u have a dead mobo!

Hope that helps ^-^

[ElegantGremlin]

First off, my sisters Dell laptop just turned off yesterday, and it will not turn back on...any suggestions as to the problem?

Depends what you mean by "will not turn back on". When you hit the power button, does anything happen (lights, fans coming on, etc)? How far along the boot process does it get if it does turn on?


secondly, i took out her hard drive and connected it to my IDE to USB cable and plugged it into my laptop (as if it was an external HD) to back up her files. However, i cannot access any of her files due to not having permission. Is this due to her having an administrator password on her drive?? if so, how do you remove that password (or change the permissions) without booting from that drive?

Take ownership. (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permissions-in-windows-vista/) (do this on the drive itself)

Oh, and when you do that, make sure to click the "Replace Owner on Subcontainers and Objects" so you only have to do it once.

[gabbygenier]

[QUOTE=ElegantGremlin;583398Take ownership. (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permissions-in-windows-vista/) (do this on the drive itself)

Oh, and when you do that, make sure to click the "Replace Owner on Subcontainers and Objects" so you only have to do it once.[/QUOTE]

thats how i did it. someone beat me to it lol

[Burner]

Depends what you mean by "will not turn back on". When you hit the power button, does anything happen (lights, fans coming on, etc)? How far along the boot process does it get if it does turn on?



Take ownership. (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permissions-in-windows-vista/) (do this on the drive itself)

Oh, and when you do that, make sure to click the "Replace Owner on Subcontainers and Objects" so you only have to do it once.

I'm using Windows 7 and it automatically took ownership of my GF's drive when I backed up her files. It just asked me when I installed the drive if I wanted to take ownership and it was done.

Funny enough, her laptop was also a Dell and had the same symptoms as your sisters. It's the motherboard. Depending on the supplier and model of laptop it'll run anywhere from $150-$350 for a new one. I just helped her find a nice new Asus with a 2 year warranty at an awesome price on newegg.

[gabbygenier]

asus ones are awesome, 2 year warranty like mentionned and also comes with one year accidental damage, so if you drop it, pour water into it and what not. as long as its not a netbook and you HAVE to register the laptop before 30days of purchase or the accidental warranty is not valid

[whodaman]

thanks for everyone's suggestions, i managed to take ownership using this website: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/
The laptop is officially dead!