[Dx4win] Need help recoverig files - Dell laptop crash

[Wayne Day]

On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 07:42:39 -0600, Cal Kutemeier N9KO asked: 
> My Dell laptop CPi-A 400 died this morning.  These was an audible
> pop and then the nasty burnt electronics smell.  It will not turn
> on, even after disconnecting and giving it a few minutes to rest
> and recover.
>
> How can I recover my DX4WIN data file?  My last backup was about 3
> weeks ago, so not a total waste, but I would like to recover the
> QSOs since then.

Have you considered taking the laptop to a repair shop to see about getting=
 it 
fixed?  Until you (a) get the laptop powered up again or (b) remove the=
 drive 
and install it in another computer, your files aren't likely going anywhere!=
 (He 
says, looking at a 60GB hard drive that failed over the summer... luckily, I=
 had 
a backup that was only a month out-of-date, but oh, what a month it was for=
 me 
this summer on 6m!  I KNOW I've lost records for 20-25 new grids on 6m, and=
 
unless the other guy sends me cards, there's no way to recreate the QSO=
 record. 
Thank goodness the logs for the DXpedition to V31 were still on the laptop=
 when 
the desktop hard drive quit).

Once you get an idea of how much getting the laptop going again will cost,=
 and 
decide whether you want to repair or replace the laptop, you can also look=
 at 
data recovery services, or find someone that would show you how to plug in=
 the 
laptop's mini-drive into your home computer system so that you can recover=
 the 
data.

(I'm making the assumption that you don't have the technical ability to=
 diagnose 
and fix the computer - hence your original question.)

G'luck

  73 Wayne N5WD/V31WD