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- HP Community
- Desktops
- Desktop Boot and Lockup
- Trying to extract data from ssd drive

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05-07-2025 03:22 AM
I got a blue screen with hp logo and laptop stopped working, so i got the laptop to the IT Department they told me it is dead, so they gave me the ssd to extract all the personal data, but i didnt find all the documents.
Is their any other way?
05-07-2025 05:38 AM
Depending on the method being used to find the files, but perhaps to ones that are missing were not saved in a familiar location on the drive. Assuming some are present, then the location of the files might be saved in other locations than the documents folder or photo folder.
Various applications have a specific preset location, if you did not tell the software where to save the files. If you notice the software name that is not showing the files that you cannot locate, then look for the folder that was setup for each application, then look for a folder in that software's location to save files. Or, start the install of that software package on a hosting PC and notice where the new install designates the storage folder location.
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05-07-2025 10:49 AM
Actually when i connected the ssd drive to an hp laptop, some files directly appear4ed includes some of those on the desktop.
The files i'm looking for were saved on the desktop, yet i cannot find them under the desktop folder on the ssd drive. where shall they be?
Mainly the file is an excel sheet, it was on my desktop. where can the specific preset location be?
may you please explain this : then look for the folder that was setup for each application, then look for a folder in that software's location to save files
how can i do this "start the install of that software package on a hosting PC and notice where the new install designates the storage folder location."?
05-08-2025 05:55 AM - edited 05-08-2025 05:56 AM
Perhaps we should start slightly before. How are you viewing the SSD that the IT department returned to you?
By what means is the SSD connected to the PC or whatever device being used to view?
If you say the file was being saved on your desktop, then there should be a folder listed as "desktop" but it will be under a folder in the "Users" on the C drive and then pesonalized with your user name.
Show me a screenshot of the C drive. Double left click on the C drive (or it may be called something different) if the hosting PC did not use the SSD in question) when using "This PC" then click on the "User" folder.
I'm not an HP employee.
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05-08-2025 11:21 AM - edited 05-08-2025 11:27 AM
I'm viewing the SSD just by connecting it to another hp laptop using a special ssd to usb adapter.
Most probably the folder that i'm looking for is on C or D drive not on the desktop.
I will attach what exactly is displayed when connecting the ssd drive, although i went through all folder on ssd drive but still didn't find the personal one i need. where can it be?
05-09-2025 06:19 AM
Thank you for the screenshots. From the first screenshot - the items you are looking for will not be on the C or D drive as shown. Those drives are part of the hosting PC and are displaying items from the hosting PC. You are, however, not getting what I would expect for the drive connected with a USB to SSD. Assuming this to be a normal Windows OS drive, I do not understand why it is shown as a network drive. Typically the drive connected to a USB to SSD should show as an additional drive on the same area as the C and D drives.
This a screenshot of my PC. The C and D drives are internal, same as the one in your first screenshot. The BD-RE drive is a BluRay drive connected via USB adapter and the Samsung (F:) external drive connected via USB to adapter.
You might give the make and model of the USB to SSD adapter being used on your setup, to clarify the situation. Also what is the subject SSD drive make and model.
I'm not an HP employee.
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05-10-2025 11:06 AM - edited 05-10-2025 11:08 AM
Okay so what you're trying to say is that everything on the C and D drive are on the PC itself, in case the laptop is dead then i lost everything on the C and D drivr and can't retrieve any data.
so what might be the thing resulting in showing the usb to ssd this way?
I will attach an image of the usb to ssd adapter im using, with the ssd drive
05-11-2025 05:55 AM - edited 05-11-2025 05:56 AM
Thank you for the additional pictures. That helps as the SSD in the pictures is a Samsung 256GB. I would expect it to work with the adapter shown. That would also explain why you are not seeing the files you are looking for, as the drive depicted in the screenshots is not the SSD.
The MAA-Data drive is a network drive and is about 6TB. If it was connected to the hosting PC with the pictured adapter, it should appear as a drive similar to the C and D drives and in that area. Similar to the Samsung F drive on my screenshot.
I would try using a different PC as a host because the one that is being used now does not show the SSD in question. Either that or try a different adapter, however the one shown in the pictures should do what you are expecting.
I'm not an HP employee.
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