Recover emails, files, and data from a crashed hard drive or computer

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive or simply recovering data from any hard drive can be lot easier now days as we all have devices and even data recovery freeware available to help us with this task. Everyone I know dreads the day when their computer might crash because they haven’t quite got around to backing up the emails, files and general data from it. In fact when it does happen, and I tell them that recovering files from a crashed hard drive is relatively easy, they are surprised. I would say 80% of people I see do not know that their files can be recovered and seriously think they are gone forever.
Please note that if you have deleted files from your hard drive or usb drive then see how to recover deleted files. If you would like to try and fox your computer, here are some Windows troubleshooting tips. This article is about recovering data from a hard drive. This could mean you have an old hard drive, or had drive out of a crashed computer, and you want to find your e-mails that was stored on there.
Even when you computer has crashed and is not working you can still recover most emails, files and data. And it is very simple to do so in most cases you will not have to take it to a IT repair guy. You just have to know where the files are kept and how to recover them.

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive you will need:

1. A computer that has crashed. To get it going again costs more than a new computer so therefore recovering files from a crashed hard drive is a cheaper option.
2. A hard drive in the computer that didn’t get harmed by the crash. What is a hard drive, you say? Its the piece of hardware that stores all the files and data for the computer. Recovering data from a hard drive is only possible if the hard drive itself is not damaged.
3. Another working computer with a USB connection.
4. An external hard drive case to put the old hard drive in. What is an external hard drive?

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive: which external case do I use?

This is an important question as there are a few options that you need to take into account.

1. The first option is whether you have a laptop or a desktop hard drive when recovering files from a crashed hard drive. if you are recovering files from a laptop hard drive then you will need a 2.5 inch external case to put the drive in. If you have a desktop hard drive you will need a 3.5 inch external case.
2. The next thing you must consider is the connection that your hard drive users. You need to see if it has our Sata connection or an older IDE connection.

Once you have sorted out these two options, then you can choose which external hard drive case to use. Now we can go on with recovering files from a crashed hard drive.

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Recovering files from a crashed hard drive:

1. Firstly you will have to remove the hard drive. Make sure the power is not connected and please see how to open computer cases safely. If you have removed a hard drive before see How to remove and upgrade a hard drive
2. Place your hard drive into an external hard drive case while there is no power connected. After sealing the hard drive case tightly, then plug it into the computer.
3. Turn the external hard drive on and the computer should find it automatically.
4. Go to my computer and open up the new drive that will appear there. C drive is the main hard drive of the computer so it could be E<F<G depending on how many other drives are installed.
5. Copy the files you want and paste them to another hard drive. Watch this video tutorial on how to cut, copy, and paste.
6. If you cannot find the hard drive in the external case then it is possibly damaged.

Where are the emails, files, and data stored?

When you are recovering files from a crashed hard drive or even emails from a hard drive out a of a crashed computer they will be a bit harder to find.
There will be no windows there to make it look nice with links to where everything is stored. You will have to manually navigate through folders to find what you want. It just a matter of knowing where they are and how to recover them.
You will have to also change a setting so that you can view certain files.

Recovering data from a hard drive: First you must un-hide your folders so you can view them.

This is performed on the computer that the USB external drives is plugged into.

1. Go to the Start menu at the bottom left corner.
2. Choose My Computer.
3. Go to the menu at the top and choose Tools, then choose Folder options. If you cannot see the menu press that ALT key on the keyboard.
   
4. Choose View from the tabs at the top.
5. Scroll down the list and find the Hidden files and folders section. Choose to show hidden files and folders.
6. Then press Apply and then OK.

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive – Where are the files?

Here are just a few examples of where files might be when you are recovering files from a crashed hard drive. Sorry I cannot mention every file you are looking for but you can always try searching in Google for ” where are program, file type stored?” For example you can search for “where are Mozilla Firefox bookmarks stored?”

1. The outlook express email address book is located at C:Documents and Settingsyour user nameApplication DataMicrosoftAddress Book
2. Outlook folders which include the inbox etc..C:/documents and settings/your user name/local settings/application data/identities/{your ID number}/Microsoft/Outlook express
3. The very important My Documents folder which usually has my pictures and more..C:Documents and Settingsyour user nameMy Documents
4. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 you can grab your individual user name folder and it will contain documents, downloads, pictures,etc.
5. Thunderbird emails are located in %USERPROFILE%Application DataThunderbirdProfilesXXXXXXXX.defaultMail
6. Mozilla Firefox bookmarks are in C:UsersMitzAppDataLocalMozillaFirefoxProfilesppgeotvl.default then look for the .sqlite file. This contains all your Firefox bookmarks.
7. Favorites for Internet Explorer. In the older versions it is located in C:Documents and SettingsYour usernameFavorites Simply copy the folder.
8. There is also more information at A list of the most important files to backup.

Here is a screen shot of when I was recovering files from a crashed hard drive. It shows me recovering my Mozilla Firefox bookmarks. To do this I had to unhide the hidden files and folders as shown in the instructions above.

Recovering data from a hard drive will not work if:

1. Your hard drive was effected by the computer crash. For example you may have had a power surge that damaged the hard drive. This will make the data unreadable and the only way of recovering files from a crashed hard drive is to take it to a professional.
2. If you have already wiped the files, emails, and data from the hard drive. (Like formatting the hard drive) This will make it impossible when recovering files from a crashed hard drive because the data would have been overwritten.
3. If your hard drive gets damaged after you recover it from your computer. Don’t laugh! People often drop hard drives or hit them with a screw driver. They are fragile and you must be careful with it. Recovering files from a crashed hard drive can depend on you handling the hard drive itself with care.

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive is extremely easy. So when your computer does crash, no need to panic too much. You will probably be able to recover your files by following these steps.

Notes on recovering data from a hard drive:

• You can also install the hard drive into another computer when recovering files from a crashed hard drive, however it can sometimes mess with the setup of the computer. An external case is exactly that, external.
• After you have recovered your data you can also use this hard drive as a spare storage device. How to format your external hard drive
• When putting a hard drive into an external case the two must be compatible. If the hard drive has an IDE connection and is a 3.5″ then the external case must be compatible with that. If you have a Sata connection hard drive, you need a sata external case also.
• If you are getting an “access denied” message when trying to copy a file you probably need to take ownership.

Recovering files from a crashed hard drive should not be necessary if you have backed up your files in the first place!