Problem:
How many time has this happened to you? You're working on your computer when it crashes, and won't boot. You think back to the last time you backed up your data, but that seems like a VERY long time ago (if you ever backed it up at all). You rush to the store, where the "technician" takes one look at it and says he'll have to format your hard drive and reinstall windows, leaving you sniffing about your lost data. Sound familiar? There has to be something we can do to retrieve that data!
Solution:
Have a distribution of linux ready to use for such circumstances. There are many many versions of different distributions of linux available, and they all have one thing in common - they're free. Most of them have live cd versions, allowing you to run them from a cd or a pen drive without having to install them onto a particular computer, making them ideal for such times. Just boot into your computer using linux and backup your data. That being said, the number of available options may be overwhelming for some. I have personally tested many distributions myself, and for this particular situation, I'd recommend:
Puppy Linux
There are many reasons I recommend Puppy Linux, but most of all, for it's small size. How small? 165MB (at the time of writing).....165MB!!! Do you realize what this means?? You could smoothly run this operating system off of a 256MB pen drive!! (Hmm...I wonder if I still have one of those lying around here...)
For those of you who have no experience with linux, don't worry. It's very minimalistic, and only offers a small range of tools. It's quite easy to use. I mean, all you're going to use it for is to backup your data before reinstalling windows....right?
Download Puppy Linux Here
(They provide instructions on installation, loading it on a pen drive, and other related topics)
For those of you who have no experience with linux, don't worry. It's very minimalistic, and only offers a small range of tools. It's quite easy to use. I mean, all you're going to use it for is to backup your data before reinstalling windows....right?
Download Puppy Linux Here
(They provide instructions on installation, loading it on a pen drive, and other related topics)
Personal Experience
A couple of years back, I found myself staring at a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), and was too busy (lazy) to fix the issue. So I quickly popped in my emergency CD with puppy linux on it, and continued watching Death Note.
It wasn't until a fortnight later that I actually started troubleshooting my computer. I felt quite comfortable using this OS for that long of a time period.
It wasn't until a fortnight later that I actually started troubleshooting my computer. I felt quite comfortable using this OS for that long of a time period.
So, what's you're decision? Can you spare 165MB of your valuable storage?