Saving Windows using Linux
This is a step-by-step explanation of using Knoppix to save files on a Windows computer. It assumes you have the following: a Windows computer, a copy of Knoppix, and a USB flash drive (a.k.a. Key drive, Pen drive). Lets get started.
***********
-Insert Knoppix CD.
-Insert USB flash drive “UFD”.
-Reboot the computer.
-When you reach the Knoppix boot screen, press enter.
***********
If you don’t press enter Knoppix will automatically boot after a certain amount of time. Knoppix should begin to detect your computer’s hardware.
If Knoppix stops responding while trying to detect /dev/scd0 here is how to fix it. Restart the computer, but this time when you reach the Knoppix “boot:” prompt type “knoppix nodma”, then press enter.
Eventually you should be presented with a graphical interface. When it has finished loading it should look similar to a Windows desktop. On the left side of the desktop Knoppix displays information about the storage devices available on you computer. You might see things like “CD-ROM”, “Floppy disk”, “Hard Disk Partition [hda1]“, “Hard Disk Partition [sda1]“, depending on you exact configuration.
***********
-Open “Hard Disk Partition [hda1]” by single clicking on the icon, this should be you Windows partition.
***********
Everything on the Knoppix desktop is a single click, just like a hyperlink. If [hda1] is not your Windows partition, open each hard disk icon until you locate you files.
***********
-Open “Hard Disk Partition [sda1]” by single clicking on the icon, this should be your UFD.
***********
Knoppix mounts the UFD in “Read-Only” mode, that means you can look at the files on you UFD, but not add new files. We need to change the mode to “Read-Write” before we can get files onto the UFD.
***********
-Right click on “Hard Disk Partition [sda1]” > Actions > Change read/write mode.
-When asked if you are sure you really want to change the read/write mode Click “Yes”.
***********
That’s all there is to it! All you have to do now is copy the files from your Windows partition (My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc.) to your UFD.