if all you want is to copy the data - try this
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UBUNTU Stand Alone CD
NOTE : version Ubuntu 12.04
It may be possible to boot from another Operating System
This will at least test the Hardware and also see if you can see the Harddrive and possibly get data off.
If you have another PC with a cdwriter and spare CD
goto
http://www.ubuntu.com/ and download the ISO
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
You can also run from a USB device now - if the Machine supports booting off a USB Stick
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
full details are here (Note this is for version 9 - so the start up options are slightly different )
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
click on the image "download ubuntu"
Select a location
then begin download
Save the file onto your PC – remember where you saved it – so you can find it again to create the image bootable CD.
You do
NOT copy the ISO file onto a CD - you have to use the ISO to create a bootable CD
The CD creator software you have on the PC may have an option to create an image from an ISO
If not - use this free program
http://www.imgburn.com/ - Choose the option
Write image file to disc
OR
you can use this stand alone ISO Burner to burn the ubuntu onto CD
ftp://terabyteunlimited.com/burncdcc.zip
When the UBUNTU CD boots - you will see a screen - with Language on the left panel and two option images labelled
== > Try ubuntu
== > Install ubuntu
You can try Ubuntu without making any changes to your computer, directly from this CD
Use
"Try ubunto" ONLY. This option will run from the CD and not install onto your harddrive -
be careful, if you do install onto the PC - you will wipe the data and software OFF your hard drive.., so repeat, only use option 1
Now you should see a UBUNTU desktop
This at least proves the main parts of the PC are working
NOTE: if you only see a black screen - then this is a known issue, and can be resolved by using the following:-
On some hardware configurations, you need to set some kernel parameters for ubuntu to boot or work properly. A common one is nomodeset, which is needed for some graphic cards that otherwise boot in to a black screen or corrupted splash, acpi_osi= to fix lcd backlight and other problems.
full details are here
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1613132
If you press the F6 key, a menu at the bottom will open allowing you to set kernel options with the space bar or enter key. You can close the menu with escape key and resume booting by selecting the option “try ubuntu without installing” (please note that session does allow you to install ubuntu once you found the kernel options cured your problem).
If everything worked OK and you should be on the ubuntu desktop
You may see your Harddrive on the desktop - if not have in look in the places on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
If you can see your harddrive – see if you can find the your datafiles –
XP look in “documents and settings” under the user name you had on the PC
Vista/Windows 7 look in “user” under the user name you had on the PC
Now if you have a USB flash drive or external harddrive – you should be able to copy your data from the harddrive onto the USB device
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