Hard drive problem

[Simon]

A friend has a hard drive where Windows is on the C partition, and Documents on the D partition.  Windows is knackered, and the C drive is so full that it has less than 200mb disc space left, and the computer basically won't function. 

Would booting from a Linux CD enable them to recover their data on the D partition, to an external hard drive?  If so, how exactly is this done?

Alternatively, could they boot from a Windows CD, delete the C partition and reinstall Windows, without putting the data on D drive at risk?  Could they also expand the C partition this way, and again, would this put their data at risk?

I'm not getting involved with this one, other than to offer advice!

[zappaDPJ]

If the data is important, I would probably replace the drive, install Windows on the new drive and then put back the original as a second drive. You should be able to copy off the data partition as files.

[JB]

I'm not getting involved with this one, other than to offer advice!

I would boot Puppy Linux from a CD or USB stick. It's a super little system with a decent file manager. If he boots with an external USB hard drive connected Puppy should mount that and it will also see the files on the old d: partition.

It should then just be a case of copying the docs from there on to the external drive.

I've used this method to retrieve files from old HD's, some of which didn't have an OS on them at all.

HTH.

[Simon]

Thanks guys, both useful suggestions. 

JB, have you got a link to Puppy, please?

[Steve]

They may need someone else to download it

[Simon]

I know! 

[pctech]

Removing the C partition should not affect a data partition at all.

[kinmel]

Thanks guys, both useful suggestions.  

JB, have you got a link to Puppy, please?

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/puppy-linux-on-usb/

[Simon]

Cheers, Alan.  So, they boot from the CD, and it just works?

[pctech]

If both partitions are primary then there's no need

[Simon]

No need for what, Mitch? 

[pctech]

To boot from Linux

[Simon]

Sorry, Mitch, I didn't see your previous post.  I cant see the point in simply reloading Windows on the existing partition, as it's only 20gb, so they'll soon end up back where they are now.  If the C drive was expanded, with the D drive still present (this is one physical hard drive), would that not risk data loss?

[Steve]

Yes

[Simon]

Thought so.

[kinmel]

Boot from puppy linux to a desktop

run Gparted partitioning tool to reduce "D" and then increase the size of "c" - wait ages and then re-install Windows onto the C partition, the D will remain unaltered in any way

or copy D off onto another media and then install windows to the whole drive and create any other new partitions where you want them later

[Simon]

Option 2 seems preferable, Alan, as it would give them the chance to be selective.  There's a lot of stuff they don't need, and it's only really photos and music which is essential. 

[JB]

Thanks guys, both useful suggestions. 

JB, have you got a link to Puppy, please?

Sorry, been away for the day. I see that Alan has given a very comprehensive overview.

I always keep an old 1Gb pen drive with Puppy Linux on it and it includes the Gparted disk partitioner/re-sizer. It's a valuable stick to take to any friend's problematic computer.

[pctech]

Not sure how big the disk itself is but I currently run XP on a 130GB partition on a 250GB drive.

[Simon]

I think that's probably excessive for their needs, Mitch.  I think it's a 250mb disc, and I was going to extend the Windows partition to 60gb, with Documents on the rest.  They are also buying a 500gb backup external drive. 

[gizmo71]

I think it's a 250mb disc

I've spotted the deliberate mistake and I claim the five pounds.

[Simon]

I've never understood that. 

[Lance]

I had a 250mb (or there abouts) HDD in 1994 - I was 8 years old and it was our first pc.

[Simon]

Ahh!!    The penny got stuck in the slot there - now it's dropped.    I thought you were saying the 'm' should have been capitalised, but indeed, it should have been a 'g'. 

[Lance]