Bootable USB cannot be recognized, jumps back to existing OS

Our hard drive failed about a week or two ago. It is partially corrupt to the point where it eventually gives a stop error. I personally performed a live CD recovery using Ubuntu and I extracted most of the hard drive's contents. I was unable to extract the user documents, however, if somebody could also tell me how to do that I'd be belated.

After most of the stuff we needed was backed up, I decided to proceed with Dell's recovery mechanism. Unfortunately, it is messed up so I want to perform CHKDISK by using a Windows 7 evaluation copy. After downloading it, I formated a USB drive. I then used the command line on Mac OS X and loaded a bootable version onto the USB drive.

Now, I go into the affected computer's BIOS to change the boot order. I set removable storage before the corrupted hard drive and after the optical disk drive. However, after inserting the USB into the system, it jumps straight to the OS. I then rebooted and manually selected the USB option, which still failed. I switched ports and– you guessed it! It still fails to boot and it's really annoying. Please tell me how to fix this! Many thanks!

whs said:

For extracting the user documents, try this: Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS

And for the booting with the USB stick watch for a message on the top left of the screen that says: " Press any key ".

There is no message, it just gives me a blank cursor, then it jumps two lines and boots to the OS. Also, will the MintMate recover everything, even the user's personal documents? I really feel skeptical and keep in mind I've already tried a Ubuntu Live CD.

whs said:

will the MintMate recover everything, even the user's personal documents

If they are physically accessible, then yes. Watch the video and you'll see how.

For Mac OS X, do I just download Linux Mint 14 and make the USB a bootable or do I have to use an alternative software? Our main computers are all Macs now so it would be great if you could tell me how. Thanks.

whs said:

Is the PC from which you want to pull the data a Mac or are you asking about the production of the USB stick.

Oh no, it's not a Hackintosh. I am asking about the initialization of the USB stick.

Thank you guys for all your help, but what I really need right now is a solution to my USB issue. As for the USB installer issue, I think I will stick to using Disk Utility and the Terminal and I'll see how that goes.