Member Avatar for swaters86

I have an ATA drive that I want to recover old harddrive files from, but it doesn't seem I have any usable HDs to install XP on. Every time I tried to delete a partition and reformat it, I get an error message. I can't recall the exact message but it's preventing me from making a partition on these drives. All the HDs I have been working with seem to have more than one partition and I've been trying to install XP on those alterantive partions. In other words, I've been avoiding installing XP on partition C since I keep thinking it might have the important HD files I'm looking for.

Can you answer this simple question: DISK 0 always means the one that isn't the slave, right? I'm always making the important HD a slave while I'm trying to install XP on another HD.

Now to my actual question: is it possible to map a ATA HD to a laptop via USB? since I can login into windows using this laptop. Or can I backup those important HD files, that I know are located on the C drive, onto a portable USB drive? Is there a command line tool I can use for this? I'm just trying to look for some alternative options on how to backup HD files without using the "mapping on a new drive method with a working windows partition'' so to speak.

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Short answer: yes — a laptop ATA (IDE) drive can be connected to a working laptop over USB, but there are a few important gotchas to avoid data loss.

As pointed toward an external connection, here are practical steps and cautions to follow before touching the drive you want files from ('s C: concerns are exactly the reason for care):

  1. Choose the right adapter/dock. Laptop (2.5") ATA uses a 44‑pin connector and typically draws power from the adapter; desktop (3.5") drives need a powered adapter or an external power brick that supplies 12V. Follow the adapter manual for jumper/cable-select settings.

  2. Do not let Windows "initialize" or format the disk. If prompted to initialize a newly attached disk, cancel. Initializing or formatting can overwrite partition metadata and make recovery much harder.

  3. Work read-only if possible. First create a full image of the drive before copying files. On Windows, use a bit‑stream imager (for example FTK Imager). On Linux, use ddrescue to make an image and preserve read attempts:

    ddrescue -n /dev/sdX disk-image.img rescue.log

    After imaging, mount the image and copy files. If you prefer direct copy and the filesystem looks healthy, use robocopy on Windows to preserve timestamps/ACLs and handle retrying:

    robocopy E:\ F:\Backup /E /COPYALL /R:3 /W:5 /Z

  4. If partitions are missing or corrupted, use recovery tools (TestDisk to repair partition tables; PhotoRec or commercial tools to recover files). Avoid running chkdsk on a failing disk until you have an image — chkdsk can cause further damage.

  5. Troubleshooting quick checks: confirm adapter power, try different USB ports or a desktop IDE cable if available, listen for clicking (hardware failure), and match the disk by size/model in Disk Management so you do not accidentally format the wrong disk.

If the drive shows mechanical failure (clicks, won't spin), stop and consult a professional recovery service.

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Member Avatar for hughv

Disk 0 is the first Hard disk.
If I understand you right, you need a USB/IDE/ adapter.
Attach it to the Laptop USB port, then copy the appropriate files.

Member Avatar for swaters86

Thanks, I will have to see if I can get my hands on one of those. I will mark this resolved if it works...

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