How to Recover Data When PC Won't Boot (Works 100%) [MiniTool Tips]

Part 1: How to Recover Data When PC Won't Boot

About to lose your important data because your Windows computer won't boot?

In general, if you have backup files, you can easily and quickly get back the lost files when Windows won't boot.

Top recommendation: Nowadays, experienced users usually back up their important files regularly incase of any accidents that might occur. Thus, if they lose important data, they can recover them from backup files quickly and easily. And, according to a survey, more and more users like using MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up disk and restore computer once a disaster occurs, like system crash, hard drive failure, and more.

However, what if there is no backup file? In this case, you can try using a file data recovery software like MiniTool Power Data Recovery to recover files when Windows won't boot.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery, a green, professional and read-only data recovery software developed by famous software development company based in Canada, is recommended here. By using this tool, you can effectively recover lost data after boot disk failure without affecting the original data.

Method 1: MiniTool Power Data Recovery Boot Disk Recovers Data When PC Won't Boot

Here, to recover files from an external hard drive that won't boot, you can try using MiniTool Power Data Recovery Boot Disk. This tool can help users effectively and safely recover lost data when operating system is damaged.

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Watch! I used this tool to easily and quickly recover lost files from dead computer.

Next, let's see the detailed steps to retrieve data from hard drive that crashed.

Step 1: Make Power Data Recovery Bootable Disk by Using Bootable Media Builder

Install MiniTool Power Data Recovery Bootable Edition on a normal computer, and then launch it to get its main window.

Now, click the Bootable Media button at the top menu bar, and then select the WinPE-based media with MiniTool plug-in.

Then, create bootable CD/DVD drive or USB flash drive. Note: please back up all important data on the CD/DVD drive or USB drive in advance, because all its data will be deleted.

Step 2: Boot Your PC from the Burned MiniTool Bootable Disk

Connect the burned MiniTool bootable disk to your damaged PC that won't boot, then start the computer to attempt recovering data.

Enter the BIOS and then set Bootable Disc as the 1st boot device and save configuration changes.

Click MiniTool Power Data Recovery in the MiniTool PE Loader interface to enter into its main window.

Step 3: Recover Lost Data When PC Won't Boot

Select the target volume/device.

In the main interface, you can select the target drive and click Scan. Alternatively, you can click Devices tab, select the whole device and click Scan.

While scanning, you can stop the scanning process if you have found the files you want. However, to get the best recovery result, you had better wait until the full scan finishes.

Select all needed files and save them in a safe place.

You can preview picture and .text files before saving.

See! With MiniTool Power Data Recovery Boot Disk, you can effectively retrieve data from hard drive without OS.

Here, I guess you might be wondering:

"Is there an even easier way to recover files from a dead computer?"

OF COURSE, THE ANSWER IS POSITIVE.

Method 2: MiniTool Power Data Recovery Recovers Data When PC Won't Boot

In general, if you don't want to recover lost files by using Power Data Recovery Bootable Disk, you can try the following way to recover files from an external hard drive that won't boot.

Before you do:

• Remove your original hard drive from your dead PC, and then connect it to another normal computer as a secondary drive.
• Download the latest data recovery software – MiniTool Power Data Recovery and install it on computer. Note: Do not install it on the drive that contains lost data.

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Step 1: Launch MiniTool Power Data Recovery. Select the hard drive where data loss appears, and click Scan button.

Step 2: Check all needed files, and then click Save button to store them on a safe place.

After all operations are done, you have recovered lost data when PC won't boot.

Good News! By using MiniTool Power Data Recovery, I quickly and effectively recovered lost files when PC won't boot without bringing any damage to the original data.Click to Tweet

After learning how to recover files from an external hard drive that won't boot without damaging original data, let's see some things we should do when our Windows PC won't boot.

Part 2: What to Do When Windows Won't Boot

There are few things more frustrating than a computer that won't boot up. In general, PC won't boot is a common symptom with a variety of causes.

However, what should we do if our Windows refuses to boot? Here are few things we can do if we encounter the Windows won't boot issue.

1. Check Whether Something Has Been Changed

If your Windows won't boot, the first thing you should do is to think about changes you have made with your PC recently.

• Did you recently install a new hardware driver?
• Did you connect a new hardware component to your computer?
• Did you open your computer's case and do something?
• ...

If the hardware driver is buggy and the new hardware is incompatible, you might encounter the Windows won't boot issues. Or, if you accidentally unplugged something while working on your computer, your PC might stop booting.

2. Check the Power Supply

In general, battery issues could be the source of your system's inability to boot properly. This is one of the most common problems. While checking the power supply, you also should check the fuse inside the PSU itself. Remove it from your PC, and then remove the metal case to check if that's the problem.

3. Check the Screen

On the other hand, do not forget to check your computer monitor. If your computer seems to power on but your screen stays black, you should ensure your monitor is powered on and the cable connecting to your computer's case is plugged in securely at both ends.

4. Fix Some Errors

Windows Starts and Back Screen

What should you do if your PC is powering on but you get a black screen that says something like "NTLDR Is Missing" or "Operating System not found" or other messages?

How to Fix: NTLDR Is Missing

5 Perfect Solutions to Getting Missing Operating System Back

Windows Starts and Blue Screens or Freezes

Have you ever heard of the blue screen of death? In general, most of Windows users would have encountered with BSOD.

For instance, for Windows 10 users, the Blue Screen of Death could appear after update, such as software update, driver update, and system update. As a result, their PC cannot boot. Fortunately, you can know how to solve this issue through this post: Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death – You Can Quickly Fix It.

Of course, there are other error messages you might encounter when PC won't boot, such as Black Screen of Death, Boot Device Not Found, etc.

5. Reinstall Windows

You may be facing either a software or hardware problem, if Windows seems to start booting but fails partway through.

In this case, you can try reinstalling Windows to fix this issue. However, if PC still cannot boot after reinstalling, your PC likely has a hardware problem.

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Bottom Line

Losing data because PC won't boot?

In general, there is no need to worry too much about lost data; MiniTool Power Data Recovery can help you effectively recover data when PC won't boot without damaging original data. You can effectively recover lost data from a dead computer as long as you try using the steps I outlined in the article.

If you have any question or suggestion about MiniTool Power Data Recovery, you can send us emails to [email protected]. Thanks in advanced!

Recover Data When PC Won’t Boot FAQ