Best way to Retrieve data

[Zoney]

Hello, I wanted to know, what the best way is to retrieve data from a computer that will not boot.

without removing the hard drive.

 

[strollin]

If the computer won't boot, the only way to get to the data without removing the hard drive would be to have a very long cable to attach the drive to another computer. Why are you against removing the drive? If you remove the drive you can install it in another computer, install it in an enclosure or use an adapter and attach it to another computer to retrieve data.

 

[Zoney]

Can you back up to usb by using a linux live cd, or using recovery console for xp or command prompt for vista and 7.

 

[strollin]

If the reason the machine won't boot is due to a problem with the HDD then the linux live cd is a great suggestion. When you attempt to boot, what happens? Are you able to access the BIOS or boot menu to set it to boot from CD?