Oh dear. A few weeks ago, the plastic covering that protects the pins in the usb slot on the back of my laptop became unattached. I didn't think anything of it as it still seemed to work ok. Until yesterday. When by accident I plugged my power cable in the usb slot (they're right next to each to other), a burning plastic smell followed from inside the machine. I quickly realised but it was too late, the damage was done.

So here's the problem, I can turn the laptop on, but only in safe mode, which is really limiting. The laptop tries to load up, fails, then gives the option to load in safe mode which seems to work. Now, I tried attaching my external hard drive to recover my work but it won't recognise it.

Is there anyway I can recover my documents in safe mode?

I'm sure there must be some button somewhere where I can add a little bit of functionality....Do you think it would be worth trying to get it repaired?

Thanks,

Ian

Do you think it would be worth trying to get it repaired?

We can't answer that - we don't have any information about the laptop - such as age make and model.

As for recovering your data, I recommend you remove the hard drive and either install it in an external enclosure and attach it to a PC , or install it in a PC using one of these, then retrieve your data.

You should be able to recover your documents in Safe Mode. Hopefully, you have not fried the hard drive. Overvoltage and undervoltage problems can create unexpected results. You should be able to move documents onto removed media.

Benjamin Edwards

I think it is unwise to try to use Safe Mode. You already indicated you have an abnormal electrical situation, therefore you are only tempting fate if you attempt to retrieve your data using that machine and its faulty wiring. Therefore, as I recommended earlier, it would be better to pull that drive, and use it with a different machine. Besides, even in Safe Mode, where are you going to move it? To a drive attached to a fried USB port? That would not be wise either. You then risk destroying both drives.