Need help transferring files from external hard drive to laptop.

[Adsos Letter]

Hello.

I want to be able to access the data on my old Maxtor OneTouch II external hard drive, but the firewire doesn't allow me to use the usb port on the laptop (Toshiba Satellite L755).

From what I'm learning that would be something of a "Duh" observation...I know very little about computers.

How can I access the files on the external drive from my laptop?

[struggle4progress]

1. I got lost near "firewire doesn't allow me to use the usb port"

cuz firewire ports aren't usb ports

I'd guess the Toshiba doesn't have a firewire port but the external hdds I've seen w/firewire ports all have usb connectivity too. Can't you hook them up w/usb?

[Adsos Letter]

3. Thanks. The usb connection on the external hard drive doesn't seem to work.

At least the laptop doesn't recognize the device when I try to hook it up. I get a blank in the device selection field.

Maybe the problem lies somewhere else?

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Safest bet is to ask someone with a firewire port for help -

transfer the data from the external drive to their system, then back out to a USB stick for you to use.

Another option would be to buy a USB enclosure and put the disk from the Maxtor unit into it (it's a screwdriver job), but you may come a cropper if the drive has been reformatted to HFS or suchlike

Finally, there are usb/firewire hubs that *should* allow you to hook the drive up, but I've heard mixed reviews: Caveat emptor... http://www.iogear.com/product/GUH420/ looks like one.

[Adsos Letter]

4. Thanks. Transferring the data to a usb stick is starting to sound tempting.

[Dead_Parrot]

6. If the USB port has packed in, it's probably the safest bet

You don't want to fork out for an enclosure or hub then find out the whole thing's turned to custard anyway.

[Adsos Letter]

7. Yup. That's what I'll do. n/t

[Mnpaul]

10. Get yourself one of these

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329300&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CKjEjdqv4q4CFe4DQAoda2N1XA

You would have to remove the hard drive from the enclosure but these things come in handy. The firewire interface may not be working either. These are handy to have around if your computer crashes. You can make a copy of your hard drive before you attempt any repairs. You could also buy a firewire card for your laptop. They are fairly cheap as well. You will probably get better transfer speeds with the firewire.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. This may do it for you:

http://www.provantage.com/sima-suo-200m~7SIMA014.htm

good luck

[Adsos Letter]

8. Thanks. I looked at that.

The reviews from people who bought it for transferring date from external hard drives said it didn't work for them. I don't know enough about it to understand why.

[Adsos Letter]

9. Thanks to all those who replied to my question. :) n/t

[hobbit709]

11. I've seen at least a dozen external drives that people brought in saying they were dead.

In every case, when i pried open the case and took the drive out using the adapter I have, the drive worked fine-it seems to be common that the interface board inside that connects the drive to USB has crapped.
I have one of these adapters
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812226001
I actually bought on sale at Frys for $14.99
cCmes in very handy, especially on dead older laptops, so that I can read the old laptop IDE drive and get the data off it for my customers.