Anyone point me in the right direction? Is it possible to connect an imac hard drive to a pc then, using software probably, read the contents of the hard drive? If anyone can point me to a website etc I'd really appreciate it Thanks in advance

I don't think that can be done. What I think will work though, is to install that drive in an external enclosure, USB or Firewire and use aforementioned software to read the drive. Pricewatch listing below.(example) Portable Converter, rapid transfer rate, PNP, Hot-Swappable, supports Win 98/Me/2000, Mac OS 8.6 or higher (Retail) (Part - UD-100) Price: $37 Ship 1 : $5.00 - 9.00 UPS Ground (Insured) Will Ship: Same - 1day Updated:8/5, 9:08PM $46 PCTek Online Info... 888-860-4416 908-755-6561 School & Govt P.O. accepted

Rather than move the hdd, would suggest investigating a means of linking the pc's such that just the data is transmitted. How about laplink or e-mail files over the internet. Good luck - Keep us posted.

I don't want to turn the mac on. The problem is that the owner has 'lost' a lot of files. I am trying to see if they are still on the HD. If I start the mac up and they have been 'accidently deleted' then they may get overwritten. I don't want to have to pay an extortionate amount of money to a data recovery company if I can help it. So if I could connect the HD in some way I could check it for the files or run my own data recovery software and see what we come up with. I'm in the UK by the way.

Best idea is.... Throw it in another mac. Why not turn mac on? My thought would be the drive is failing. Whether it be in a mac or pc, it is gonna die. Unless the recovery just sins the platter without using power supply (maybe it does it through the ide controller lead? I have no idea about that) Simple answer is, I don't believe there is a market for what you are looikng for. A Mac data recovery agent will use mac equipment no doubt. I have a mac here. Got in Goodwill (USA) for $10.10 + tax. It's a G3 300mhz, hehehe. I was so happy last week when I got it! I would offer to try it for you but unlikely to survive the flight if already in bad shape! Just buy a used mac. Cheaper than data recovery and you get a mac into the bargain even if drive is unrecoverable. (PS, I am English by the way).

I don't want to turn it on because the files will prob be overwritten as the machine boots up (if they have been deleted then the space is tagged to be overwritten). I've had a look around eby and there are imacs for £80 - £120. I will prob send the drive to a data recovery comp, they find out if the files are still there (cost £100), if they are then pick up an imac, find a way of connecting the old hard drive as a second drive , find some data recovery software and get the files back. Total cost, probably, £300. If I let the data recvery company do it all they will charge between £500 - £900. So if anyone knows of a 'dongle' to connect the drive and some good software please let me know. Regards and thanks to all. Gerred (maybe this should be in the Mac section?)