Peppermint Live CD/DVD/USB - Create for Emergency Backup

Create Live Peppermint CD/DVD/USB to Backup Data when Windows 7 Will Not Boot​

   Information

In some instances, Windows 7 installations can become non-bootable if serious corruption of the system files have taken place, for example through the action of malware. If these corruptions are extremely severe, the installation cannot be repaired and the only course of action left is often to wipe (format) the hard disk and reinstall Windows 7 from scratch. Before you do that, however, you may wish to copy any user data (photo's, music etc.) files from the faulty installation to a backup drive.

This tutorial will show you how to do this in just a few easy steps by creating a free Live PepperMint5 Linux distribution on a bootable USB flash drive or CD.

   Note

There are many free Linux distributions that can accomplish this task, but I have specifically chosen PepperMint5 because:

• it is a small, lightweight distribution

• it has a look & feel that will be familiar to Windows-only users

• it does not require any knowledge of Linux jargon (e.g. sda1, sda2)

• it is easy for novice users to understand

*** Update ***
I've decided to replace the use of the Lili USB creator originally referenced in this tutorial, with the Rufus USB creator, after some reports of problems with Lili. Special thanks to jumanji who brought this to my attention, and also suggested Rufus as an alternative.

The screen capture images are taken from PepperMint3 -- the distro available at the time of writing this tutorial -- but they are the same for later versions such as PepperMint4 or PepperMint5.

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:note: Requirements:
In order to perform an emergency backup, you will need the following :

Hardware:-

• External USB drive (to store your backed-up data)

• 1Gb or larger USB thumb/flash drive (to hold your bootable PepperMint5 installation)

Software:-

• Rufus USB Creator (to create the PepperMint5 installation)

• 32-bit edition of PepperMint5

You will need to know how to boot the troublesome computer from either a CD/DVD or USB drive. The way you do this depends largely on the make of BIOS of your computer. If you aren't sure, just ask.

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Step A - Creating the Live Peppermint5 USB/CD/DVD

On a working computer download Rufus and the PepperMint5 ISO from the links above. Now run Rufus by double-clicking the Rufus executable.

Replicate the settings shown in the Rufus panel below. Use the CD icon to browse to the location of the PepperMint5 ISO, and confirm that correct ISO is selected as shown at the very bottom of the panel.


Click Start, and then OK on the warning pop-up to write the ISO and make the USB flash drive bootable. Once complete, a confirmation message is displayed, as shown below.

You can now close Rufus and unplug the USB flash drive. You have now created the Live PepperMint5 Linux USB.

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Step B - Booting from the Live Peppermint5 USB/CD/DVD

Insert the USB flash drive into a USB2 port (or insert the CD/DVD into the DVD drive) on the problem computer and boot with either device.

After a few seconds, the PepperMint5 boot screen will appear. Select Live Mode as shown below. and hit enter.

PepperMint3 will now boot to the screen shown below.

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Step C - Copying user data to the external USB drive

Click Menu and then click File Manager as shown below.

Click on the File Manger that opens, and then type CTRL+N to open a duplicate File Manger Window and arrange them side-by-side.

Use the left-hand file manager window to browse for and locate the files you want to copy. Select your external USB drive in the right-hand side file manager window. Now simple click & drag the files you want to copy from the left-hand window to the one on the right. In the example shown below, I am copying my Music folder to the external USB drive.

When you are done copying, close the file manger windows, and then select the Logout option from the Menu button. Now select Shutdown as shown below.

That's it - your data files are now safely copied to your external USB drive.

Regards,
Golden

Related Tutorials

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• How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Create and Use a Linux Mint Mate USB Flash Drive to Recover your Files

 

[RickyTee]

Okay, I downloaded it.
Same options?

Thanks for sticking through with this.

 

[Golden]

Yes, keep going.

 

[RickyTee]

Okay, it's done.
Now I'm gonna try to boot it.

EDIT: Okay, I got it to boot.
But now I'm starting to think it might be because I'm using a different USB.. does it matter which program I use?

 

[Golden]

Nope, as long as you can use the file manager to copy across your critical files, it doesn't matter.

 

[RickyTee]

Fantastic! Now, how exactly do I use it...?

 

[Golden]

Youre still trying to copy your critical files to another USB right?

Follow the steps in the tutorial - they will be similar, but not exactly the same as its Debian. Look at image here:
http://afb.users.sourceforge.net/debian/

 

[RickyTee]

Okay, so I just installed Peppermint onto the new usb for shits and giggles and it actually started working!
Sorry for all the trouble and thank you for your patience!
Cheers!

 

[Golden]

OK.

 

[RickyTee]

My last question is:
Is there anyway to just transfer all the files at once?

EDIT: So I started tranferring the files and I'm starting to get
"Error Splicing File: Input/Output Error - Cannot Copy"

On the most random files. I don't see a pattern of any sort.. any ideas?

 

[Britton30]

I put Peppermint 3 on a USB stick using YUMI and ran it form the stick. I have 3 physical drives, OS, Data (Users),and storage.

The file manager doesn't see the Data drive, only the SSD with OS and the storage drive.
Does it have to be installed to a HDD?

 

[Golden]

Nope it doesn't. On mine I see all my drives and partitions, even on a RAID. I'll have more of a look tonight, but it should see all your drives.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hey thanks Golden I was working on something very similar only with Ubuntu, and not being that BB savvy yet was having a real wrestle with it.

Just one thing - I can access the net with the Ubuntu (through Firefox) as well as the drives and Unix software if I need anything so does this apply to the Mint set up as I cannot see anything there.

I found the net access particularly useful for downloading scanners etc when in strife with a fix.

 

[Britton30]

Yup, Peppermint has the Chrome browser for the net.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yup, Peppermint has the Chrome browser for the net.

Thanks mate that has saved me a lot of work with Ubuntu - for the time being I'm going to try it out before I shuffle off Ubuntu though.

 

[gregrocker]

Colin, using Peppermint as a legal boot disk to test whether hardware is at fault is fully cutting the OS out of the loop, correct? So is there any reason one could not also unplug the HDD thereby confirming bad boot code isn't involved either?

The reason I ask is I've seen cases where bad boot code blocked booting a disk and everything else, giving the appearance of a hardware problem.

 

[Golden]

That's correct.....it bypasses the installed OS since you are booting off the CD/DVD/USB. In theory you bypass any issues with the boot code.

 

[boohbah]

quick update, the peppermint live set up wouldnt show the hub with the broke black caviar, so i guess thats it for that,
on a brighter note santa came early this year and sent me a little ASRock home theater ,
it arrived in a parcel today ,
im completely flabergasted and blown away by our kind leaders actions.
i will raise a glass (milk!) to you over dinner this evening .
thanks again john

 

[gregrocker]

Wow. Is this a Seven Team perk?

I don't even get a Christmas card. :huh:

 

[z3r010]

His PC had bust and I had an old retired one collecting dust so it seemed the right thing to do

 

[gregrocker]

How very thoughtful of you, John.

You've given much that many of us have to be thankful for.

I wish you and all the Happiest Holidays!

(You wouldn't remember the joke, but years ago when I praised Shawn as the best Admin of any forums, you replied that I was "off my Christmas card list." I'm still laughing about it! )