Heartland

I spilled beer on my computer in my sleep and now it wont turn on. That computer has everything I've ever done on it D: I took the hard-drive out of it and it's all okay. what would you suggest doing from here? Thanks

If the HD is Ok (is that what you mean?) then at least you've not lost data. If possible, backup that hard drive before proceeding.

Which bit have you spilled beer on? Is the computer a laptop? If it's gone into the keyboard it's possible that you will get by with a replacement keyboard. But if it's gone more into the actual guts of the computer, you might be screwed...

Make sure everything is completely dry before trying to switch anything on; be careful with stuff like WD40 as it can dissolve some of the plastic bits but it might be worth a quick blast into the worst of the spillage.

Try something like this for accessing the HDD? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009WK1UY4

markfiend wrote:If the HD is Ok (is that what you mean?) then at least you've not lost data. If possible, backup that hard drive before proceeding.

Which bit have you spilled beer on? Is the computer a laptop? If it's gone into the keyboard it's possible that you will get by with a replacement keyboard. But if it's gone more into the actual guts of the computer, you might be screwed...

Make sure everything is completely dry before trying to switch anything on; be careful with stuff like WD40 as it can dissolve some of the plastic bits but it might be worth a quick blast into the worst of the spillage.

See, my computer is one of these: and it was quite good, but certainly not ideal. So this is my opertunity to get a new one. How can I get a laptop, but with all the same files as my old computer?

If the hard drive is OK (as implied by your first post: "I took the hard-drive out of it and it's all okay.") you can copy everything off it using something like the kit Rob posted a link to, to use your current hard drive as an external USB drive.

1. Stop storing content on your computer - rather, use it to store applications, programs, tools.
2. Get a Network Attached Storage device - access all your files anywhere on your network, stream media to DVLA/UPnP devices
3. Get a laptop
4. If you need to take files with you, stick them on a flashdrive, or better, upload them to that there Cloud thing - dropbox, box, wherever - lots of space, often free.

EvilBastard wrote:1. Stop storing content on your computer - rather, use it to store applications, programs, tools.
2. Get a Network Attached Storage device - access all your files anywhere on your network, stream media to DVLA/UPnP devices
3. Get a laptop
4. If you need to take files with you, stick them on a flashdrive, or better, upload them to that there Cloud thing - dropbox, box, wherever - lots of space, often free.

never thought of that. not a bad idea.

markfiend wrote:If the hard drive is OK (as implied by your first post: "I took the hard-drive out of it and it's all okay.") you can copy everything off it using something like the kit Rob posted a link to, to use your current hard drive as an external USB drive.

yeah the hard drive is fine sorry for not being more clear xD

LyanvisAberrant wrote:

markfiend wrote:If the hard drive is OK (as implied by your first post: "I took the hard-drive out of it and it's all okay.") you can copy everything off it using something like the kit Rob posted a link to, to use your current hard drive as an external USB drive.

yeah the hard drive is fine sorry for not being more clear xD

No probs. Your data should still be OK then.

I agree with everything EvilBastard says. Back it all up to the "cloud" or to NAS. (Although technically my "NAS" is just an array of USB hard-drives attached to the linux box that also serves as my main HTPC.)

robertzombie wrote:Try something like this for accessing the HDD? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009WK1UY4

Any experience with this.....seems handy but a lot of bad reviews?
I have a couple of (onboard) harddrives in the cupboard that I need to check.

Gollum's Cock wrote:

robertzombie wrote:Try something like this for accessing the HDD? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009WK1UY4

Any experience with this.....seems handy but a lot of bad reviews?
I have a couple of (onboard) harddrives in the cupboard that I need to check.

I don't think I'd recommend them for long-term use - no static shielding or physical protection, a risk of cat-molestation (the drive being molested by the cat, not the other way around) - but a good option for occasional rescue of data off drives from defunct machines. Personally I'd be inclined to junk the drives after getting the data off them, unless they're less than a year old - once they've been damaged or have been in a situation where undetectable damage might have occurred and could blow up in the future, I'd be wary about using them to keep anything you didn't want to lose. Storage is so cheap these days that the risk doesn't seem worth it.

EvilBastard wrote:Storage is so cheap these days that the risk doesn't seem worth it.

Indeed. I picked up a 2TB USB drive for £80 the other day

EvilBastard wrote:

Gollum's Cock wrote:

robertzombie wrote:Try something like this for accessing the HDD? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009WK1UY4

Any experience with this.....seems handy but a lot of bad reviews?
I have a couple of (onboard) harddrives in the cupboard that I need to check.

I don't think I'd recommend them for long-term use - no static shielding or physical protection, a risk of cat-molestation (the drive being molested by the cat, not the other way around) - but a good option for occasional rescue of data off drives from defunct machines. Personally I'd be inclined to junk the drives after getting the data off them, unless they're less than a year old - once they've been damaged or have been in a situation where undetectable damage might have occurred and could blow up in the future, I'd be wary about using them to keep anything you didn't want to lose. Storage is so cheap these days that the risk doesn't seem worth it.

Thanks. That was the plan...retrieving not storing. For 16 pound worth the risk.

If you search Amazon for "HDD cradle" or "HDD caddy" you'll find lots of alternatives. Some might be better suited for your needs

Personally, I've never used one. I do know a few people who have used these devices with success.