Windows XP non-bootable HD: how to use Linux LiveCD to see HD & recover data from HD?

[LinuxIsOk]

Hello Linux users, I have been struggling for weeks now and would sure appreciate some help.

I am trying to use SuSE LiveCD or Knoppix to access data from my non-bootable HD and copy data to my USB memory stick. After loading Linux from my CD (SuSE or Knoppix), what do I need to do to see my HD with all the files on it and my USB memory stick. Also, I would like to be able to transfer data from my HD to my USB stick, how can I accomplish this?

[docarockus]

Knoppix should work. Look here:

Rescue FAQ - Knoppix Documentation Wiki
Computer First Aid Using Knoppix

The second link is old (Knoppix 3.7!), but does have some good info. If you run into to problems or have questions, you might have better luck getting an answer here:

Knoppix Forum

Good luck!

-docarockus

[bigtomrodney]

A lot of livecds such as knoppix will create icons for your drives on your desktop. If the partition is still intact simply click on the icon for your hardrive (it will be somethings like hda1) and plug in your USB stick. An icon will pop up for that too.

When you have a window open for each of the drives simply drag and drop what you want to keep.

[LinuxIsOk]

Thx a lot docarockus for your help. The problem was that I was using an old version of Knoppix (3.2), an oversight on my part. So this problem is now solved.

A new challenge: I am working on a friend's Dell's desktop PC which has failure in booting up (in Windows XP). They do not have a setup cd, nor do I have windows xp cd.

Here is where I am stuck:
Using Knoppix LIVEDCD to boot up and access the HDD, I attempt to rename and then replace the corrupted system file but get an error message saying file cannot be deleted. The error message when I attempt to rename and also replace file, states: Could not delete file...

What this looks like to me is that even though I can see the file and even copy it to a USB memory stick, there is no permission to modify/delete it.

Any reason why this is the case and what can I do to overcome this?

[vengeance]

is that partition formatted as ntfs??u mite need win-ntfs or some external tools to write on ntfs partition?

[devils casper]

ntfs-3g is available in Knoppix. Mount NTFS partition with ntfs-3g to enable writes access.

su
mkdir windows
mount -t ntfs-3g  /dev/<ntfs_partition>  windows  -o defaults,umask=0
ls windows