Apologies in advance if I use incorrect terminology. If I'm unclear, please attempt to answer anyway, or let me know if I need to provide more information.
I have removed a Seagate SSHD (500GB) from a blue screening Lenovo laptop running Windows 10 (Or, more accurately, currently failing to run Windows 10!). I am intending to attempt to reinstall Windows from external installation media. I believe it is possible to do this with an option to retain data. HOWEVER, to be on the safe side, I want to recover my files from the drive and store them safely before I start. I have removed the SSHD and connected it to another laptop with a SATA to USB connector. I thought I'd just be able to browse, drag and drop. But no such luck.
The other laptop is showing the following external drives:
E:/Lenovo
D:
Through Windows file explorer, E: is showing as empty (although file Explorer properties show it has used 102Mb of 25Gb). D: is showing as empty - 0GB used, and 0GB available.
I don't know whether Recuva is even the right tool for me to be using. I want to get back all my .doc, .xls, .pdf etc files - NOT actually deleted files. Just files I can't get at right now.
When trying to access the drives, Recuva gave error messages many times . It has now completed scans of both, and shown me a large number of deleted files on D:, and a smaller number on E: ... But none of them is what I am looking for. Am I doing something wrong? Or is there another tool that might be better at figuring out how to get to the normal file structure on the disk, so I can access the "My Documents" folder? OR ... Do I just have to bite the bullet, attempt the Windows reinstall and hope that does the trick?
All answers hugely appreciated.