Safest way to recover WIN Vista?

I got a friend who apparently downloaded a Virus on his computer, and now his computer wont load past th BIOS /POST (power on system test) screen…..
I was thinking… just get a Live Linux/Ubuntu CD, using that and retrieve whatever important he has saved on his HDD… and then re-install WIN_Vista

I’m not sure if he has his OS on a separate partition, and data (files/documents/videos/music) on a separate partition.

Any suggestions on how I should go about doing this?

Since I’m not an expert, I’m sure my friend would be happy enough to know that his files were retrieved… he should care less about his system settings / configurations

Or maybe there is a LIVE Windows Vista CD? That one can make use of?? And maybe I try get a “System Restore Point” ??

P.s. this person doesn’t have the Installation discs for Vista, it came pre installed with the computer (second hand)…

I'll give a suggestion, but others may come around with something better.

Do you have a Windows disc? I would look into performing a repair installation just to see if you could get back into Vista to retrieve the data.

Once you're in, back up all of your files to an external HDD. Once the re-installation of Vista is complete, DISABLE auto-run. This will allow you to plug the HDD into a usb port, without the virus jumping straight back over. Scan the externall HDD with a malware scanner of your choice.

I would personally recommend MBAM for this (The free version is good enough)
www.malwarebytes.org

As many times as I re-read your post...

I missed the last line.

What electrotune1200 gave for advice is the correct way, since your friend is lacking his Vista CD the next best solution would be for you to use your Windows 7 CD and it will repair Vista, I found this out when my Vista partition was not working and my Ubuntu partition on the same drive stopped working I put my Windows 7 disk in the drive and both the Ubuntu and Vista partitions were recovered.

Are you able to torrent?

You can download this Vista repair disc from
Download: Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc — The NeoSmart Files

Halfway down the page you can download the x86 or x64 version.

There are repair options on the disc, as well as system restore.

Why dont you first try a Startup repair?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

You can download a Recovery disk from neosmart and run it from there.

Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download — The NeoSmart Files

1. For recovering the data you may try this: Computer First Aid Using Knoppix
2. If Vista cme preinstalled by the OEM, there should be a recovery partition (usually D) from which you can reinstall Vista. If you give us the make of the PC, I might have the procedure on how to reinstall from the recovery partition.

Try this to Copy & Paste your data:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html