My friends PC won't boot into windows. Tried everything, safe mode etc still no joy. What is the best way to retrieve the data from the Hard Drive assuming it aint kaput? Would a Ubuntu on a CD be good way to retrieve the data? It can be used as a 'Live CD'?
Plug it into a working machine and get the data off. If that doesnt work and it has some nasty clicking noises then stick it in a freezer for a few minutes then try again
download the 'slax' iso it's 200mb, so loads up quicker than ubuntu I use it for exactly what you want to use it for... have you tried... fixboot fixmbr chkdsk /R from recovery console (it's on the windows cd)
Can't plug it into a different PC as my mate lives miles away and no spare PC around, not even a laptop!
This what you on about: http://iso.linuxquestions.org/slax/slax-6.1.2/ Just burn it to cd and then boot my mates PC with it and then extract files from the Hard Drive if not kaput?
yes it is http://www.slax.org/get_slax.php burn the iso with 'imgburn' it's freeware you can either transfer files over network, or onto a usb stick/drive etc using slax.. it's pretty simple to use
If all else fails, try getting an identical drive (as similar serial number as possible!) and using the PCB from that with the rest of your friend's drive. It's pretty last-ditch, but still easier than sending it to a data recovery company - many of whom's first step is to do the exact same thing.
