What is Digg?93 Comments
- danfitch, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6QUOTE
"I have 9 computers, 2 linux and rest windows no digg"
And no life - CptSkippy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Unfortonately you sometimes do need a Linux Live CD and there is nothing you can do about it because no Microsoft product can help you out.
I had a brown out which showed me that my UPS didn't work anymore, in addition to that it caused some sort of corruption of my NTFS harddrive partition so that my system would Blue Screen of Death(BSOD) on boot up. At first I thought it was hardware related but a diagnostics disk later everything checked out so I popped my HDD into another WinXP machine as a slave and was greeted with the same BSOD at boot up. Being as clever as I am, I remembered that SATA is hot swappable so I disconnected the SATA connection on the drive and rebooted. After WinXP had loaded I plugged the drive in and watched the magic of PNP detect new hardware, install drivers, and finally mount the ... BSOD!!!
I couldn't find an NTFS partition repair utility and the only free piece of software I could find that would mount an NTFS partition and allow me to get the data off that disk was Knoppix. It took me 20 minutes to download and burn, 15 minutes to boot and figure out how to connect to my other XP box via samba and an hour to transfer off all of the data that was otherwise unrecoverable.
After that I popped in the Win XP CD and rebooted to reformat and reinstall Windows on the PC. Guess what happened while the Win XP setup was loading? It crashed, I've never see it happen before but when the setup go to where it detected the HDD, it must have tried to mount that poor NTFS partition and it crashed. I could have used a DOS boot disk and fdisk at this point but I had the Knoppix CD handy so I booted into that and blew away the partition.
Sometimes you need a Linux Live CD and there is no Mcrosoft Product that can help you. - grim322, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is Grim322, the author of the article. First, thank you for noticing my article. I would like to respond to a few comments. I am not a Linux expert, and this article was not written for a Linux expert- it is written for a Windows user who needs help. The reason I don't recommend Ubuntu is because it is Gnome. A non-Linux user wants a screen that looks as close to Windows as possible, so only KDE desktops were considered. Linspire is mentioned along with the comment- "if you don't want to learn anything about Linux." I agree that Linspire is a terrible Linux distro, but its live CD is as close to Windows as you're going to get with Linux. My computer has 2 CD drives, so I can run a live CD and burn at the same time, but that is a valid point. If you have only one CD drive, you can create a FAT32 partition and copy your files to that partition for safe keeping while you sort out the problems. My article is does not tell you how to fix anything in Windows, only how to recover your data. My personal favorite is Simply MEPIS 3.3.1 live. It will boot from the CD and run as a live CD and it gives you the option to install it. It automatically configured itself into my Windows network and printed to my network printers. Wireless networks are another story, but the latest versions of Linux should be able to handle them. Grim322
- DewayneSmith, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"A lot of Windows users (as noted by the comments here) seem truly ignorant in other OS's."
I'm not, I've used Linux and Mac, I just don't like it. At least Mac is one step above Linux though... - kevinmoore, on 06/13/2009, -0/+2Linux has been able to read NTFS volumes for years. It's been able to write to them for years too, but that feature is labeled "experimental".
- n8r0n, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Using a CD burner to burn files while the operating system is being loaded from a cd...someone was really thinking there."
--posted by duke_nate
Many of us have more than one cd/dvd drive on our system... - grim322, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Grim322 again, Linux WILL read and copy NTFS files, but you will need to copy them to a FAT32 partition or burn to CD, it can't write to NTFS (at least not the distros I've tried.
- alterself, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1you can (usually) cache the cd in memory so that you can eject the livecd, and then use the burner.
from my experience (and usage) though, if you have a burner, you have at least one other cdrom drive as well.
i was not aware of a winxp live cd, that is worth an article by itself. +dig - duke_nate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Why Every Windows User Needs a Linux Live CD"
Or just use your XP cd and do a repair. It works the best. Only thing you loose are your service packs & other windows updates. Which are easy to get back, especially when you have an XP SP2 CD. - evilxhwnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1*now thats a really good idea, too bad windows dosnt have Live CD. The first try then buy idea dosnt apply to ms*
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - bluffcityjk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Hey zagi1. http://www.xplivecd.com/
- Silverbird, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I was brought a Sony VAIO notebook that this chick had totally hosed up by loading every spyware/virus/trojan possible. The computer had stopped booting.
I booted Knoppix STD and was able to mount the harddrive and connected it to my network. I transferred the entire HD contents to a network share. I even used the laptop's CD burner to burn the rescue ISO from the mounted partition. YES YOU CAN BURN A CD ON A SINGLE-DISK SYSTEM RUNNING KNOPPIX! TRY IT!
After restoring the laptop factory config, I virus scanned and reloaded the old data from the network share.
Knoppix STD helped me make a quick $100. - chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.ubcd4win.com/
The Ultimate Boot CD for Windows uses BartPE (live Windows), and combines it with a driver pack, and free software package. Very nice, very easy to use. I recomend 2.5 (not 2.55) right now, as 2.55 is more difficult to build (requires manual bug-fixing).
It has NATIVE NTFS read and write support, and can includes several Windows based virus scanners and spyware scanners, as well as a salvo of other tools to test and fix Windows.
I still like Damn Small Linux and Knoppix though for data recovery (external Fat32 USB HDD).
Who the hell linked to a $50 version of the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows? The UBCD4Win is free. And giving away, and especially selling a compiled UBC4Win is illegal. You have to "build" it yourself for it to be legal. - mcewen98, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"A lot of Windows users (as noted by the comments here) seem truly ignorant in other OS's."
I'm not, I've used Linux and Mac, I just don't like it. At least Mac is one step above Linux though..."
When will people relize there are different tools for different jobs? Does a carpenter only have one hammer? NO. There are actually many different types of hammers depending on the application. I agree that on a desktop, linux (although ubuntu is great) still is not as user friendly as windows. OSX is great, but not for playing games, which is all that really keeps me back from ditching windows completely. Maybe once the macintels come out and if they support dual boot, that would be slick.
For a server, however, how can anything beat linux? It's free, unless you want to pay for some support. Windows licensing sucks. I'm not sure how OSX is, but for the high hardware and OS costs, I think linux is better for nearly the same type of unix environment.
And if you aren't used to OSX's interface, give it more than a couple days, because once you get used to it, it's just as comfortable as windows.. and oh yeah, without the virus's, malware, spyware... - Hypersapien, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here is another thought, if you can't get into your computer because of a virus or other malicious program, you might accidentally start malware running while you are trying to get rid of it if you are using a Windows Live CD, not so with Linux Live.
- Dabellah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1BartPE is your friend =)
- cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There is nothing wrong with promoting the idea of Linux Live CDs.
As the average computer user only has one PC, with only one OS
installed, having a recovery CD on hand might be a good idea.
The problem here is trying to convince anyone that a LLCD will
do any better for those users than just getting a friend who
knows a bit more about computers to come over and fix the problem
for them.
Any Tech who has to do data recovery on a regular basis should
have a LLCD available just to fill out thier toolkit, along with
The Ultimate Boot CD for Windows and thier favorite utilities
(Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it when
you find a situation where it could come in handy)
The average user, however, is better off practicing regular
backups and system maintenace to have thier data secured and
recoverable BEFORE disaster happens. - Jammerdelray, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'll digg it...It's fun to play around with.
- Flynnz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0yeah I will use my bartPE with "getdataback" installed :)
I do love my auditor linux live cd though for....well other things ;) - TuringTest, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0What's this guy on? He suggests a linux live CD for restoring a windows environment (not that they don't have their uses, but there are better tools), then goes on to suggest Linspire???
What you actually want is a Windows(or bart) PE CD with you favorite windows recovery software. This has many advantages including actually being able to write to NTFS partitions, which as far as i'm aware knoppix still can't really do.
This will take you many weeks to build by yourself of course, however this is where bittorrent is helpful ;)I'd suggest a search of the popular sites for "miniPE" might turn up something more usefull. - linuxmann, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Linux Owns You all!...
- Shift, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0*hugs his knoppix CD*
My laptop hdd was messed up today, whacked in knoppix which let me back up my data and restored the OS, simple as. - jono181, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree 100% with the title.
- grim322, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Linux Owns You all!.."
If you will read the original article, there is nothing in there that says you should change to Linux. It is just a way to rescue the Windows system. If you were driving your Ford pick up truck in the wilderness and got stuck in the mud, would you refuse to be pulled out by a Chevy? - Mr0backup, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0There is a live windows boot iso by
Michael K.H. Au-Yeung floating around ..
The ultimate windoze system admin's tool.
Called Super WinPE Ultimate Boot CD. - krahzee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I have been using knoppix for awhile now. Use it for two reasons:
1) To save my ass when the PC won't boot (unless you back up EVERY day, chances are there will be a situation when the most recent file you were working on will be lost should a hard drive go. I take my most recent backup DVD to my other PC, Use print folders to generate and print a list of files on that disc, the take the list back to the other system and copy the files not listed to my flash drive. Quick and easy data recovery.
2) To learn or become more familiar with Linux. It's an easy way to play around with linux without screwing anything up or installing an OS you only use occasionally. To me, since I already own XP, I would only use linux for thing windows could not do for me already. - drealock7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've been lookin at these lately too. Ubuntu is a good complete one.
If you want a Live CD that'll fit on a business card cd, then check out Damn Small Linux. As the name suggests, it's Damn Small (a bit under 50MB to be exact). It's really bare bones but it's just neat to play around with.
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org - jathos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I like the fact that the site doesn't have any advertisements - that's something that's all too rare these days
- facer0, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0test, good
- turgiddahlia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Knoppix is fine for recovering data if need be but it can sometimes (note: SOMETIMES) play havoc with file structures, rendering the recovered data unreadable and useless. Find yourself a copy of BartPE if you've got the patience.
- Kashey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hmmm... I wonder too why the hell I need my PartPE CD when someone's computer crushes.
- hayden.evans, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wouldnt need a linux boot cd if you have a mac :P
- dbr_onix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Surprised they didn't mention Ubunutu, since it's the only live CD that I've tried that worked with all my hardware/systems first time (2 normal PCs and a laptop)
Ubunutu or Knoppix and WHAX are the best I've found, though Knoppix and WHAX need nopcmcia typed on startup, which is a pain..
- Ben - foohookups311, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Ubuntu and Slax Popcorn Edition are both my Live Linux Cds
- covaro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0CptSkippy - For the ntfs.sys errors there is a MS approved way of fixing it... info available here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=228888 - cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Who the hell linked to a $50 version of the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows? "
If you guys would bother reading the site listed, you would learn that
it is NOT a copy of BartPE or the UBCD for Windows.
From the requirements section:
"This software requires Windows OS be installed on your hard drive. This product contains a special limited version of XP so it does fall under the EULA written by Microsoft. It does not use the copy on your hard drive but does check for it. This is to ensure that you are using this per the EULA you agreed to with Microsoft. If it does not find the require operating system it will shut down. The product can only be used in lieu of a legal copy of Windows OS. We can not be responsible for how you use this product."
**** Legal notice:
Microsoft will not support this product; do not contact them in regards to XP live CD. You must have a legal licensed copy of Windows XP installed on your computer. Your legal license allows you to run your full installation of XP OR this copy .
This is NOT Windows® PE.
The XPLiveCD sounds more like a version of XP embedded, with some additional data recovery tools included, on a bootable CD. - sandofsky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I recovered data through a live CD, just last night. A hard drive got corrupted and refused to load in windows anymore. I bought a new hard drive, booted off Knoppix, and the drive mounted just fine. Certain files are corrupt, but I was able to save the vast majority.
I know one other person who has had the same luck with a bad drive.
The moral of the story is to never buy a Western Digital. - Maverick83, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"I've been lookin at these lately too. Ubuntu is a good complete one.
If you want a Live CD that'll fit on a business card cd, then check out Damn Small Linux. As the name suggests, it's Damn Small (a bit under 50MB to be exact). It's really bare bones but it's just neat to play around with."
Another small distro is Puppy Linux
http://www.goosee.com/puppy/ - Maverick83, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Having a Linux Live CD is good if you run Linux too! I had a problem with Grub the other day. So I booted with a Live CD and was able to fix the problem."
Exactly. I've trouble shooted my own Linux-gone-wrong with Mepis. - yaddayadda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A knoppix liveCD helped me recover the files from my dead primary hard drive. Definitely a must have.
- heavygravity, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I can't comment on the article, but if anyone here is interested in a lightweight rescue CD with:
- A graphical partition editor (clone of partition magic)
- A Ghost/Drive Image clone
- Partition table backup and restoration utility
- Tools for NTFS, FAT32, EXT2, EXT3, etc etc (including NTFS with read and write support)
- Clam Anti-Virus (great for cleaning infected windows systems)
- Web browsers and internet connectivity (Ethernet drivers included) without needing a full blown X windowing environment (yes, uses framebuffer for graphics)
and lots of other stuff, check out http://www.sysresccd.org. Of course, it is FREE. If you don't need these kinds of tools, then it's not for you. - zulgand04, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A live CD saved me from losing my 20 page term paper when my hard drive got ***** up but still allowed me to transfer files. I know backups are key, i will defiantly backup more frequently now.
- benb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0LiveCDs can come in handy. I keep a SLAX cd around at work and at home.
My boot drive on my Windows machine became corrupted and I needed to get some files off that drive. I booted up with a Slax cd and copied the files off the drive to a USB thumb drive (and to my network folder).
I've also used it on service calls when I couldn't get a clients PC to boot Windows at all, not even in safe mode. There was no Windows CD only a "recovery partition" that refused to let me simply reinstall instead of format. I took the machine home, copied the files to a networked computer and then reinstalled the OS. - dkman90, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0downloading on bittorrent now!
- kamranzaidi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0linux live cd always been a life saver, most of the time my windows machine drops dead due to some virus or some bug my wife downloaded, and if my only chance is to just reinstall after format and want to copy data (mostly pictures), just pop in linux live cd (mostly puppy) and burn or ftp data somewhere else...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Why Every Windows User Needs a Linux Live CD"
Not vice versa, though. - tristant, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0if only someone would figure out how to repair ntfs (fsck.ntfs) partitions in linux, a linux live cd would be the only tool you'd need.
- Pogue_Mahone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Have any Live CD, period (Using WinPE, BartPE, Linux, whatever) is very helpful.
The Linux Live CD's, however, are MUCH easier to use out of the box (probably one of the few areas where Linux is easier out of the box than Windows). WinPE and BartPE take a lot of foresight and preparation to make sure you have the appropriate utilities loaded. Most Linux live CD's you just burn and use.
I've used both - but for simplicity's sake I keep the Knoppix CD on my repair bench, and only play with Windows Live CDs when I'm bored and want to fiddle around with something.
P.S. Windows fanatics are just as retarded as Linux or Mac fanatics. Its just as bad as people who swear up and down that Pepsi is like the ambrosia of the gods and Coke tastes like rotten ass. Each OS has its strong and weak points. - demonthises, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Linux live cd's are the greatest thing since the cd burner.
I've lost track of the number of computers I've had to pull files off where windows won't boot.
Every (l)user needs to have a LLCD.
Because even if you do backups, the file(s) you need are not going to be on the backup. - sailor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I was able to rescue all my windows files after Windows XP crashed when SP2 was installed. I just happened to have a triple boot with Fedora and Suse on another HD. A live linux cd would also allowed me to save files.
These days I am recommending Kanotix (a knoppix based system)..it is installable to the HD if you want. -
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