Recovering Failed HDD Problems

Ok, my HDD hasn't actually failed yet but it is failing and I want to get my data off of it. I would rather have a sort of recovery image made of the failing drive but I can't get into Windows for long enough to get recovery started. I tried to use the Windows installation disk but it said the instillation of Windows I had was not the right kind to start repairs, or something like that. I could run a live CD of Ubuntu and just copy and paste all of my files over but I really don't want to re-install Windows and all of my applications.

Any Suggestions?

Thank You

If you have a External HD, you could copy & paste your data.
Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

You can download or create a repair disk from here:
System Repair Disc - Create

I'll see if the repair disk is different from the repair function in the installation disk.

rap33042 said:

Welcome to SF!

Download Macrium, create a boot disc, and use it to make a backup image of your failing HDD.
Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Imaging for Windows 7, Vista, XP and Server 2003/2008

Good luck!

Ok, I downloaded the Macrium Reflect trial and when I try to make a rescue disk it says I need to be registered to make a Windows one. Could a Linux or BartPE disk also work?

whs said:

ChoTai said:

rap33042 said:

Welcome to SF!

Download Macrium, create a boot disc, and use it to make a backup image of your failing HDD.
Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Imaging for Windows 7, Vista, XP and Server 2003/2008

Good luck!

Ok, I downloaded the Macrium Reflect trial and when I try to make a rescue disk it says I need to be registered to make a Windows one. Could a Linux or BartPE disk also work?

You must have doenloaded the wrong Macrium version. Try this one: Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download For the operation of Macrium, you may want to have a look at my video tutorial: Imaging with free Macrium Burn the Linux recovery CD.

Hi, I saw your video and it shows how to recover an image from the boot disk, but can you create an image from that boot disk? I do not have an image created at the moment.