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copy data when os won't start

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Name: nonamme
Date: July 20, 2009 at 14:55:29 Pacific
OS: Windows XP
CPU/Ram: q9300 @ 2.5
Subcategory: Software Problems
Comment:

Hi! My Windows XP is down and won't start. I
need to copy data from hard drive to cd/dvd or
flash drive before I reformat and reinstall. How do I
do that? Thanks in advance!



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Response Number 1
Name: Derek
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:05:23 Pacific
Reply:

Download "Puppy Linux Live CD" and create the CD on some other machine. On the defective machine you then set the CD drive ahead of the C drive (in BIOS). Pop in the Linux CD and boot to it.

Puppy Linux will then load from the CD only - it is very easy to use. Your HD files and Flash Drive will be accesible, ready to copy across.

some other bloke...


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Response Number 2
Name: mavis007
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:06:01 Pacific
Reply:

... boot up with a "ubuntu" <<click "cd" (free) and it should see your usb + harddrive to "copy to and fro"


/edit... hi "Derek" you got here 1 minute before me!... hav'nt I been here b4? .. lol!


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Response Number 3
Name: Derek
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:07:09 Pacific
Reply:

... oops we overlapped. Either will do.

some other bloke...


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Response Number 4
Name: nonamme
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:16:20 Pacific
Reply:

thanks for quick responses!
so let me get it straight.

i download either ubuntu or Puppy Linux Live CD, burn it to cd
and use as start up disc on corrupted comp? and I don't have to
install the whole thing to copy the files to a flash drive?



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Response Number 5
Name: mavis007
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:21:03 Pacific
Reply:

... you can run Ubuntu straight off the cd ... and go on the internet ...email ....download blah blah.... if one wants to

... without installing it! ... just bootup with it!

.


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Response Number 6
Name: nonamme
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:22:52 Pacific
Reply:

oh and also I have a free agent usb drive - can that be used as bootable device by chance?

missed your post sorry - i see your point about ubuntu cd - it just takes too long to get it(6-10weeks), so i'm trying to figure out if i can burn it myself?


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Response Number 7
Name: mavis007
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:27:46 Pacific
Reply:

... ps .. you can download it from above link!


http://www.pendrivelinux.com/

.

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Response Number 8
Name: Derek
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:32:23 Pacific
Reply:

Similarly Puppy Linux doesn't install, it runs straight from the CD.

Almost any Linux Live CD will do this but best to go for Puppy or Ubuntu because these are obviously known to be suitable for your purpose.

some other bloke...


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Response Number 9
Name: nonamme
Date: July 20, 2009 at 15:49:22 Pacific
Reply:

Derek, mavis007
thanks for your help guys


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Response Number 10
Name: Derek
Date: July 20, 2009 at 16:18:12 Pacific
Reply:

No sweat.

Once you've burnt the CD, all you need to do is find out how to access the drive with your stuff on it, then the flash drive.

If anything is not obvious there is plenty of help with Puppy or Ubuntu Live CD's out there.

some other bloke...


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Response Number 11
Name: nonamme
Date: July 20, 2009 at 22:05:43 Pacific
Reply:

i need further help with linux please. i finally loaded linux from
start up , it recognized free agent usb drive, but keeps saying it's
read only and won't move any data to that drive. can anyone
help?


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Response Number 12
Name: mavis007
Date: July 21, 2009 at 00:13:44 Pacific
Reply:

... experiment a little on the properties(?) of that drive and alter the permissions to read and write

... its a matter of checking a box reopening the drive a couple of times

.


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Response Number 13
Name: nonamme
Date: July 21, 2009 at 06:05:32 Pacific
Reply:

didn't change anything - just tried couple times and it worked.
thanks for your help!


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