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Thread ID: 134373 2013-06-25 10:31:00 Linux CD bk T (215) Press F1
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1346920 2013-06-25 10:31:00 I've got a laptop badly infected with virus and I need to backup some important data before doing a 'clean install' of OS - XP Home.

I intend to use a Linux CD, boot from it and backup my data. What version of Linux is recommended for this task? Never used a Linux before, are they easy to use (user friendly)? Prefer a GUI interface similar to Windows.

Or, it's better to remove the HDD and connect it to a Windows based machine to back up?
bk T (215)
1346921 2013-06-25 11:01:00 I use Ubuntu - its not hard to use, just remember Linux is not Windows , so the file structure is different.

The main Drive ( C) will show as a HDD on the desktop, plug in a USB drive and it will show as a separate drive.

To get to the files on the XP, you need to follow the real path: C:\Documents and settings\ user name\ then you'll see the normal folders, Desktop, my documents etc

Once there, simply right click / Copy/ Paste to the USB Drive
wainuitech (129)
1346922 2013-06-25 11:29:00 You can also use linux mint, then you will see the Computer Icon on the desktop, then the Hard Drive, but it wont be shown as drive C. wainuitech (129)
1346923 2013-06-25 12:39:00 puppy linux, 140MB download, boots quickly and EVERYTHING RUNS AS ROOT

forgot to mention that save states are possible with even a CD-R and no additional media.

will even boot from a zip disk
Mirddes (10)
1346924 2013-06-25 12:45:00 Mint will be the easiest it you've never done it before! Chilling_Silence (9)
1346925 2013-06-25 20:30:00 Tried Ubuntu, didn't like my old laptop, hang at loading; tried it on my desktop, loads fine, fast, but ... couldn't 'see' my HDD.

Will try Mint later.
bk T (215)
1346926 2013-06-25 21:41:00 Put the Ubuntu on another desktop, loaded OK but still couldn't find my HDD.
I must have done something not right. Where is it hidden?
bk T (215)
1346927 2013-06-25 22:11:00 What do you mean by "Couldn't find it"? Chilling_Silence (9)
1346928 2013-06-25 22:38:00 Doesn't detect my HDD. bk T (215)
1346929 2013-06-26 00:03:00 That would be a first... If you open "Computer", it doesn't see it at all?

If you boot it up, you should be able to get online easily enough. Can you open a terminal, run the following command, then copy and paste the output back here?

cat /proc/partitions

^^ Send the output of that :)
Chilling_Silence (9)
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