BSOD, can't access safe mode

I think Knoppix would be the simplest and safest way to try and recover the user data on their C drive (i.e. partition). I'm guessing
> All their personal file/foders are on C:
> Their G: partition is probably a recovery partition installed by the system vendor
> The first unassigned FAT partition is probably also installed by the system vendor
So is a question of what (if anything) is on the D partition but am of the opinion is best to recover everything from C: first using knoppix as is often and typically pretty straight forward

I'm guessing it's the Windows installation (and boot data) on C: that's bad. So if they
> Run chkdsk /r on the C: drive to fix any filesystem issues
> Then simply burn and boot into Knoppix they can then explore the C drive, see their data and copy it to a USB external drive

See How to recover your folders/files when Windows won’t boot

@LA
Thats an excellent guide about Knopix LA. I guess prrivera07 probably has download the PW ISO from the link I gave him, however, there can be no harm whatsoever, if he choose to go the route you are advising; main objective here is get his HD accessible again so atleast he can recover his data IMHO. Regards

i'm gonna try using knoppix.
so what you're saying is if i burn a bootable knoppix cd i should be able to explore my c: drive and copy its contents to another drive?
because i have a 160gb wd ext hd.

assuming this is true, once i get my files off my hd, i can do a clean install of windows?

Follow the steps he has provided in the guide (linked given in the above post #41 by LA). If that works out perfectly, the answer is yes to both of your questions.

i've tried running chkdsk /r several times and it fails everytime.
i have 2 windows recovery disks. one that came with a different xp computer and the one i downloaded and burned.

one says it failed and the other says the drive encountered one or more unrecoverable errors.

is chkdsk /r required before running knoppix?

I'm not sure if your hard drive will automatically mount in this case but it won't hurt to simply boot from the Knoppix CD to find out

ive tried running knoppix.
it stays on a black screen with a white x in the middle.
now its just a black screen.

Arghh... Might indicate Knoppix is having a problem configuring itself for your hardware. There another two boot CD options you could try that may also allow you to browse your files and copy/paste to USB

> There's a newer Knoppix v6.2 release (i hadn't updated my guide yet) which might help (i've seen at least one case where v6.2 worked better w/the hardware). Go back to the knoppix download site and try downloading/burning KNOPPIX_V6.2CD-2009-11-15-EN.iso (By the way, you do not want the knoppix version with Adriane in the filename)

> You can also try Ubuntu Live CD. Once started, on Ubuntu menu, click Places->Home Folder to browse your folders

In either case, be patient as i've seen the load process take several minutes to sometimes seem to make progress between startup screens while loading from CD.

If these methods still fail, many people have posted good results using TestDisk or with other methods (as also among Archaen's earlier recommendations) for data recovery.

In any case, hope you have some success with the Knoppix/Ubuntu route. Let us know

i've run the ubuntu live cd, and a black screen with a white ring in the middle comes up, i figured i'd just give it time to see what happens and 30 minutes later its still on that screen!

they have brand names on each one, figure out the computer's HDD's brand name

ok so i tried knoppix and all i get is a black screen, i let it sit for 2 hours and nothing.

ubuntu loads but all i get is a black screen with a white ubuntu symbol in the middle.
idk if i'm doing something wrong, but i really want to save my files on my hard drive.

@Broni, Archaen... I solicit your input/experience as well..

@prrivera07
I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Typically, the Knoppix or Ubuntu boot process is pretty straightforward. But as Knoppix/Ubuntu isn't working for you and since even chkdsk is failing on your hard drive, i think the next best step is capturing an image of your hard drive (to preserve whatever is still there) before attempting any data recovery tools

My own recommendation is invest $50 bucks in Acronis True Image. You can use it now to create a backup image of your bad HD but also use it in the future to backup all your computers.

You'll need an Acronis Rescue CD to boot up your problem computer. You can either
> But retail box Acronis True Image and use the CD in the box or
> Get Acronis online. Download and run it on your good computer. Click on the Acronis menu to Build a Rescue CD.

When you run Acronis the Acronis backup I'd select backup the entire disk (i.e. this will image all the partitions on the disk) and (VERY IMPORTANT) be sure to check the sector by sector backup option for the backup.

and what exactly does acronis do?
it'll make a copy of my hard drive, and i'll still have all my files?

btw. thanks for all the help guys. i appreciate it.

Unfortunately there's no guarantee of just what's still on your hard drive right now (your files may still be there or perhaps just some. no way to tell right now)

But Acronis sector-by-sector backup will at least guarantee an exact snapshot backup of whatever is still on your drive right now. So in case your hard drive is failing or a data recovery attempt (which will also write to your HD) makes things worse, at least you know you can always restore back to the point in time you created the Acronis image backup.

Forgive the double post but is most important you look for and check the Acronis Sector by Sector backup option with acronis as you MUSt do sector-by-sector in order to capture the exact image backup. (Acronis will step you through a few screens. Sector by sector is towards the bottom of one of the screens)

ok i haven't had much luck with knoppix or ubuntu.

i was wondering if there was another way to use a bootable cd to copy the contents of my drive to my external drive, and just do a fresh install of windows

Have you tried using that bootable image I asked you to try as well? I have recovered disk's using either PW or TestDisk in recent times. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find an bootable ISO of testdisk :/

i've tried partition wizard but it says that my c drive can only be copied to an unallocated? drive.

I am assuming you are trying to run Partition Recovery ...... if that is not working and you can see the partition try to initialize / rebuild MBR.

HI Archaen

If need be, a copy of TestDisk can be found on the Gparted Live boot CD
> During bootup, keep hitting enter for all the startup defaults
> Once Gparted starts hit the Terminal icon at top of window
> When the terminal window opens enter TestDisk

@prrivera07
I know how important your files are to you and I hope they can all be recovered successfully. In the future, of course, backup your files/folders. For now, create that backup image of your hard drive to preserve whatever the current state of your hard drive disk image (whatever that might be)