How do I get files from my Surface RT that won't turn on?

Question

The other day my surface rt stopped turning on.  I've tried several ways of trying to turn it on (the 10 sec thing, etc.), but it does not work.  So, I'm at the point of exchanging the device, but I would like to get the files off of it before the exchange. 

Does anyone have an idea of how to get files off of a surface that does not turn on?  Could I use a "bridge" USB cable?

Or does Microsoft support grab the files for you when working on the bad device?

BB geeksquad wants $200 just to try to get it and if it doesn't work you still pay $100.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

If you can find a data recovery service, they "may" be able to break open the tablet and access the eMMc chip itself (that is the storage drive on the tablet).  It is soldered in but some services can desolder those and attach clips to the data points on the chip and retrieve the information from it.

It takes equipment and people who know what they are doing.  Same process in recovering information from damaged black boxes from airplane crashes.

If you can check around some electronic repair shops, they may either do it themselves or know somewhere where you can have it done.

Probably won't be cheap to do!

Flash and SSD storage to include micro-SD cards are very difficult to get information off if the computer/camera/phone that it was in dies.

If anything, you could probably contact those at http://www.ifixit.com and they may know who could do it.  The tablet would be destroyed but may be able to get the information off of it.

Answer 2

First of all, don't let the "geek" squad get a hold of it.  You will be shelling out $100 for nothing that they know they can't get to.

In order to get the files off, the tablet has to be powered at the minimum and from there, it is extremely technical and mostly doesn't work.  To be honest, it is not worth the effort.

Now, for a dead tablet, you tried the power button alone but how about holding down the Volume UP and pressing the power buttons at the same time for about 10 - 20 seconds.

If that doesn't work. be secure with the knowledge that if you can't get to your files, Microsoft "repair" facilities can't get to them either.  In fact, you probably know more about the tablet than they do.

Try the two button sequence to see if you can bring the tablet back to life.  Sometimes, these tablets will turkey out and take a vacation.  Chances are, you just may get it to work.  If it does, get your files off of it and perform a RESET and you just may have a good tablet beyond that point.

Answer 3

Greetings,

James, the Volume Up + Power button is specific to the Surface Pro/Surface Pro 2 only.

Answer 4

Greetings Glenn,

If your Surface RT will not power on, you can try the following:

1. Leave your Surface RT plugged in for an hour
2. Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds then tap the power button once every half second for up to 10 seconds.

If your Surface still will not power on, then there is something inside that is not working, and the data is not recoverable.

Answer 5

Thanks for the info on that Steven_B.  It was to get the tablet to perform an "error condition" and sometimes that can 'kick' them to life if they are stalled out.  I do that with laptops sometimes.  Sometimes they go dead as well similar to what some of these tablets do.

It doesn't hurt the machine to do it.