So last Sat between 02:30 and 10:30 my HDD decided to crash.. It just gave a S.M.A.R.T error that I didn't catch and then wouldn't boot

Gonna try and see if my new winders can see the old HDD, and maybe save some stuff, but I'm not betting on it... Anyone got any protips besides disksavers?

If not tips to save the drive, what sort of tips are ye looking for?

I'd try loading an alternate OS and see if it can read the drive. Knoppix for instance, is always handy for that sort of thing. Ye might be able to recover the boot sector with Ultimate Boot Disk or standard Winderz recovery methods. Once you do have access to the disk, scan the puppy for viri. Ye can also stick the puppy into a USB drive enclosure if that fails, that sometimes bypasses some HDD issues.
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"On over-indulgence with drink, to the extent of becoming a beast: He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Anecdotes of the Rvd Percival Stockdale
Thothie