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Using an external enclosure with the recovery console

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3 replies

by lilacs22

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I had a previous post about a computer in my network that quite working due to the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files being missing or corrupt. I recently went out and purchased an external enclosure took the hard drive out of the inoperable computer, hooked it up to a working computer and copied all the important data that was crucial to the good computer. I know want to run the recovery console on the hard drive in the external enclosure since to either fix the problem or re-install Windows. By the way, I did try copying the NTLDR and NTDETEC.COM files onto the defective hard drive but it did not work (perhaps I did not drop them in the right location, I do not know) and also so you know, the defective computer would not recgonize the original set up CD for me to boot from and run the recovery without the external enclosure. What I need to know, is this possible to do, run the recovery CD from a working computer onto the external? I am afraid of wiping out the good computers programs and files. Please help, I need all 3 of the computers in my network asap! Thanks

3 replies

by oh smeg

The problem is that you would need to change the Boot Order to Optical Drive, USB [i] which unless the system is very new will not be supported[/i] and make sure that you remove the HDD inside the unit from the Boot Order.

Now unless all the computers are identical when you perform the install you will copy the drivers that are needed for the computer that you have the USB Connection on and not the drivers for the hardware that you want to restore.

What you can do provided that the Optical Drive is actually working in the affected computer is reinstall the HDD and then boot it up enter BIOS and change the Boot Order to Optical Drive, HDD and it should then work. Just make sure that you have the Recovery Disc inserted into the Optical Drive before the system begins the Boot Sequence. If possible put it in the Optical Drive before turning on.

If the Optical Drive isn't set to boot before the HDD it will not read the Recovery CD and will not work from the Recovery Set.

Col

by lmatusicky

Disconnect the drive in your working computer and connect the "failed drive" as if it were the only hard drive in the computer. Do the generic install then swap the drive back to the original setups and do your updates and driver installs.

The thing to consider is if the drive failed once it may likely fail again. I would look into replacing it if it is under warranty. If not ... less than $100 would be worth the time saving of going through this hassle again by buying a retail version at your local computer hardware store. I know the brand I recommend but I don't think I can mention them here ;).

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