How best to recover data?

Question

Can't get into windowsXP after laptop fell. Bluescreen says "unmountable boot volume." No safe mode. What is best/cheap way to get data out? People say chkdsk damages data?

Answer 1

Use SuperDuper it is the easiest way and it is free.

Answer 2

If you want to recover your files, it wouldn't be too hard...here is two options, the first being the safest.

1) Take the hard drive out of your computer and install it as a secondary drive in a functional computer. Copy and paste files.

The two cables already in your PC you would connect to the hard drive. (these are the same as what connects your CD/DVD ROM). There should be an extra "set" of these cables if you only have 1 CD/DVD ROM drive, else you will have to unplug one of the drives.

2) Use file recovery software after re installing windows Here is some free software to recover your files: http://recuva.com/