accessing non-bootable disks

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I cannot access data on a hard drive, where the OS will not boot. The data I
want is under the admin profile and not accessable with out logging in. How
do I access the data without booting off that disk? The hard drive is not
bootable because the OS crashed after SP2 was installed. I need to access
the data before reformatting the drive.
 
Access it from one of a number of linux-boot CD's that can read the drive's
NTFS
or, install Windows on the drive in a different folder (eg: Winxp instead of
Windows and poke around)
 
Kerry said:
Access it from one of a number of linux-boot CD's that can read the
drive's NTFS
or, install Windows on the drive in a different folder (eg: Winxp
instead of Windows and poke around)
Click to expand...

I like to use Knoppix for this purpose. Knoppix is a Linux distro on a
live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
cd/dvd-rw. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet
connection and third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso
from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and
it will be able to see the Windows files. Use the K3b burning program
to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

Otherwise, slave the drive in a working XP box. The downside to that is
a) if the target drive has virus infections; b) sometimes if the target
drive is b0rken, XP won't boot.

Malke
 
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