Thinkpads Forum

Hi all! I tried searching to see if this had already been answered but couldn't find anything so here it goes...

My T61P died the other day. It won't power up at all. Before I send it to be repaired, I badly need to get some data off the hard drive in case it's lost.

Is it possible to connect the hard drive from my T61P to my desktop so that I can access the data?

I have already removed the hard drive but don't recognize the connector. Then again, it's been a while since I've done anything with computer hardware so that's not a big surprise.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I don't think you have to send the hard drive in with the box for repair. So long as the hard drive was not the reason for the repair in the first place, ship without. You may wish to confirm first. .... JDH

jdhurst wrote:I don't think you have to send the hard drive in with the box for repair. So long as the hard drive was not the reason for the repair in the first place, ship without. You may wish to confirm first. .... JDH

Okay, thanks for the info but I'd still like to access the data if possible before I get the laptop returned (probably at least a couple of weeks?).

Get a USB 2.0 to SATA 2.5" hard drive enclosure.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... &name=SATA

Your T61 uses SATA hard drives so the connector you saw is a SATA connector.

Either get a USB external SATA harddrive enclosure as Harryc suggests or a USB->IDE/SATA converter which will allow you to connect any IDE/SATA drive whether it is a 2,5" or a 3,5" one to your desktop through USB. You can also use it to connect optical drives. May come in handy in the future.

dromos,
I would recommend the IOGear External Enclosure. It's got a USB connector plus external SATA in case you ever want to upgrade to a faster external connection. It's $26.95 on the IOGear site and $21.95 through PC Connection.
good luck,
DenTP4rm