F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Restoring information from a non-functional Surface 4 with a full disk space issue

Restoring information from a non-functional Surface 4 with a full disk space issue

Restoring information from a non-functional Surface 4 with a full disk space issue

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Savage_sloth
Junior Member
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03-10-2024, 07:36 AM
#1
I shared my daughter a Surface 4 around six years ago. She was able to fill the 128GB storage completely, but it won’t boot now. Recovery or repair options aren’t working—only a Windows media key lets her start, yet Windows won’t reinstall because the drive is full. Since there’s only one USB A port, she can’t connect another drive or use command-line copying. Removing the drive is really tough; I had to take it apart to access the screen and cables. There’s no easy way to get to the drive from another machine as a data source? Any suggestions?
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Savage_sloth
03-10-2024, 07:36 AM #1

I shared my daughter a Surface 4 around six years ago. She was able to fill the 128GB storage completely, but it won’t boot now. Recovery or repair options aren’t working—only a Windows media key lets her start, yet Windows won’t reinstall because the drive is full. Since there’s only one USB A port, she can’t connect another drive or use command-line copying. Removing the drive is really tough; I had to take it apart to access the screen and cables. There’s no easy way to get to the drive from another machine as a data source? Any suggestions?

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Magic_Wolf_
Senior Member
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03-10-2024, 07:37 AM
#2
Create a bootable Linux USB and transfer it to your storage drive. If you ignore the files, use a Windows media stick and format it via command prompt.
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Magic_Wolf_
03-10-2024, 07:37 AM #2

Create a bootable Linux USB and transfer it to your storage drive. If you ignore the files, use a Windows media stick and format it via command prompt.

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WildCandy
Senior Member
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675
03-10-2024, 07:37 AM
#3
It would need USB A and C ports. A hub or dongle could assist. Using a Linux Live CD might work—copy data, then reformat the Surface drive and reinstall Windows. If Windows can't format, try the Linux version first.
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WildCandy
03-10-2024, 07:37 AM #3

It would need USB A and C ports. A hub or dongle could assist. Using a Linux Live CD might work—copy data, then reformat the Surface drive and reinstall Windows. If Windows can't format, try the Linux version first.

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Aiden03
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03-10-2024, 07:37 AM
#4
USB C was a traditional triangular design, not the modern oval version, and there’s no adapter available for it. I considered switching to Linux, but I’ve heard some sources say Surface devices aren’t compatible with Linux.
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Aiden03
03-10-2024, 07:37 AM #4

USB C was a traditional triangular design, not the modern oval version, and there’s no adapter available for it. I considered switching to Linux, but I’ve heard some sources say Surface devices aren’t compatible with Linux.

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NinatoPvP
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03-10-2024, 07:37 AM
#5
I thought you only had USB 3. I’ll try using a hub. For Linux, I’m not sure since I don’t have a Surface, but if you need the data, it might be the only option if Windows won’t start up.
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NinatoPvP
03-10-2024, 07:37 AM #5

I thought you only had USB 3. I’ll try using a hub. For Linux, I’m not sure since I don’t have a Surface, but if you need the data, it might be the only option if Windows won’t start up.

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