Save the data on an HDD or SSD that needs to be replaced

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A friend brought his wife’s Toshiba C55-B5270 laptop Windows 8.1 to a local computer shop today because it wasn’t booting up.
The computer shop determined the laptop’s HDD needs to be replaced and will save the data on it.

I don’t know why the HDD needs to be replaced but I’d like to have some advice on how to save the data on an HDD that doesn’t boot up as well as an SSD that needs to be replaced in case, I have to do that myself someday.
Recommendations please.

The computer shop also determined there were many other problems and it would be better to buy a new laptop. The computer shop recommended an SSD but told my friend it would be better to purchase a replacement laptop pricewise.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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I looked up the old Toshiba laptop. I agree, replace the laptop.

As for saving the data on the old HDD the simple way is to have the computer shop to remove the old HDD and put it in an external USB case. If the HDD works at all, you’ll then be able to plug in the old HDD into the new machine or another computer you may already have via USB and retrieve all your files.

Assuming the old HDD is on it’s last legs, suggest you first copy all your files in off the the old HDD (now in an external case) to another reliable external drive as a safe backup. Then use this 2nd external source to browse your old files and eventually copy them to a new machine.

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cmptrgy

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A 2.5 disk to USB adapter costs about $10 and is all you need – assuming the laptop is dead.
An SSD is still a 2.5 disk and will work with the adapter.

If the laptop is still working you should be backing up to an external USB HDD using a 3rd party backup utility at regular intervals.

cheers, Paul

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cmptrgy

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The computer shop still has my friend’s laptop and is saving the data as the laptop doesn’t boot up.
For my part I thought it would be involved but with your recommendations as a simple user I understand your recommendations & I’ll be able to do that for myself if it’s ever needed.
Thank you for your advice.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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If the HDD is accessible, the shop should give the drive to the User after copying the data. This would be another source of data backup.

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cmptrgy, satrow

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