Background...
We have Gateway Tablet running XP.
I have spoke with a couple computer repair shops and they SEEMED to think the computer wasn't worth fixing. The first problems arose with malware and viruses. Then somehow my ATI graphics driver was deleted but I managed to reinstall it. Now the laptop screen stays black while I can hear that the computer is running. One IT person had me hook it up to a monitor to see what if anything it was doing. From that I can tell it starts running a scan disk then it starts to load windows but stops and starts scan disk again and repeats this in a loop.


So I replaced the computer but I need some files that I hadn't gotten around to backing up I did a search and found this comment "Another solution is get a 2.5" external hard drive case and pop that old hdd in there, hook up via USB and you're good-to-go" from ale52. I'm wondering if this is a good option for me and what exactly is a hard drive case?

Any other options would be welcomed! One quote I have on recovering these files is $85 and I would love to come in far under that if at all possible.

TIA

Kristinkfletcher, Welcome to the CH forums. Yes that can be a good WAY to go. This is what they look like and is also apparently a good SOURCE to deal with. truenorth
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2781&name=2.5Dunno whether it relates to your problem but I had a similar problem when I used Driver Detective and accidentally deleted my Chipset Drivers.The PC would continually start up and shut down but nothing on the screen.I found a guy in the local paper and he sorted it out for £30.I think he said he COULD RETAIN the files on the disk but I had backed everything up so I wasn't bothered.

8 Bucks...
2.5" laptop to IDE converter...