Solved: HELP! How do I gat my data off the HD when I can't boot Windows?

I need to upload my data on to external HD prior to resetting windows due to numerous blue screen errors.

How do I do that without being able to get to Windows even in safe mode?

Thanks

BTW I'm running Windows SP2 and can't even get to system restore to put it back to a decent date.

 

Two possible ways, one is to use something like a LiveCD which you boot to and it is able to parse your system so you can then copy your data from one place to another to retrieve it. I've read that Knoppix works well for that task. The second is to remove the drive and hook it up to another system as a non-system drive and copy the data you need from it that way.

 

Know anyplace I can download one of those?

the HD hook up.. well, no slave to do that with it's a laptop HD and don't have a way to load it to the desktop.

 

http://www.knoppix.net/
I havent used it myself as I usually go the other option suggested by fairnooks but it's the most often recommended LiveCD on TSG so it must be good !

 

Knoppix is free, this will cost you some but if you have an occasional use for it, it is really worth the money and a no-brainer to use.

 

BartPE is also another viable solution.

 

OK..fixed, that gadget is awesome..