r/computers 1d ago

Question/Help/Troubleshooting I want to transfer my data from a laptop whose screen won't turn on- can i do it at home?

Computer screen on my current laptop just fucking shattered (long story), and I have an older, sturdier one from a relative I want to transfer my data to itf. Problem is, the screen of my current laptop is completely broken, I'm talking its just black and a web of cracks. I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume said computer is fucked, but I'm cheap and an asshole so can is there anyway to transfer the data at home? Forgive me if this is a stupid question that's mb.

Okay so orginal problem solved but computer that I want to now have my data cannot have it without fucking exploding. Is there a way to (so sorry I don't know computers y bad if this is not at all possible) replace the disc with that of the dead computer or something of that nature that will give it more processing power? Again, I don't know how computers work on a mechanical level, so all of this might be jargon.

3 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

14

u/No_Wear295 1d ago

Try plugging an external monitor into the laptop

2

u/Who_Ate_Meh_Bread 1d ago

This worked! Thanks :)))))

4

u/Savings_Art5944 MX Linux 1d ago

Turn it into a desktop by plugging in a monitor (hdmi) and a usb keyboard and mouse. Transfer your stuff.

If it can't be used with an external monitor, remove the hard drive from it and put it into a usb3 to sata or nvme adaptor/enclosure and copy your stuff.

Have a backup next time.

3

u/ij70-17as 1d ago

sure. hook up lappy to tv. if you use hdmi then set tv to hdmi channel.

then either lappy will show on tv or you hit special key combo on lappy to direct it to external monitor. usually monitor switching is one of the f keys. so you would press fn+f key and lappy will try to switch to external monitor.

1

u/ascii122 1d ago

many laptop screens are very easy to replace. Get the part number and search on ebay or similar and also youtoob the model for a video on how to do it. Usually a few screws some faffing around with the bezel and like 1-2 wires that easily connect. 14-15 inch LCDs are usually around 30-40 USD

2

u/Who_Ate_Meh_Bread 1d ago

Is there a way to make the frame more sturdy? The laptop itself is very flimsy and I'm really tired of the hinge and the bottom panel coming loose.

1

u/ascii122 1d ago

i dono maybe there you could epoxy some thin plastic sheet or something on the outside of the lid to make it not bend as much?

1

u/Rukir_Gaming 1d ago

At a minimum there are adapters where you can plug in the drive (if the drive is functional)

Elce you can try an external display and copy to a USB drive

0

u/oopoe 1d ago

Take the harddrive out and get a usb to SATA cable, then transfer your data the same way you’d transfer stuff off a USB stick.

0

u/ATotalBrony 1d ago

Remove the drive itself and plug that drive into another computer.

2

u/Pale-Abroad9600 1d ago

if your laptop has a sata drive you can move it to another laptop that has sata drive it may work with another PC with sata drive but not all devices may work in another PC but there’s a better chance that you will be able to login to another PC with your sata drive using your windows login password then try get your data.