OS boot from CD

[Techy Geek]

Hi,
I'm fixing a computer for a friend, and I cannot load up windows, except in DOs (yes I have tried safe mode) and I wondered if I could download an alternative OS that would boot from a CD (not a floppy, its a laptop). The problem is more that I need to backup his data, as some of it is very important, that is the hardest bit. Can anyone give me any reccomendations as to what I can/could download.
thanks in advance

 

[UK31337]

Knoppix

 

[Techy Geek]

all right, thanks, one last question, how do I download it, I know you click on the links etc, but what files do I get and how do I copy them onto a CD