data recovery from bad hdd(linux usb distro?)

[Zargon]

have a 2.5" HDD with issues, it was working fine, then my friends fiance accidentally kicked the power brick outof the wall for the laptop(an older dell) and it shut off.(bad battery)

it wont boot, i pulled the HDD and tossed it in a pata>usb adapter

windows doesnt recognize it and wants to initialize it. its making some lovely clicks now.

I have used some linux distro to boot to and copy data off a hDD that windows wouldnt recognize before, but now I cant remember what it is

anyone have a clue WTF I am talking about?

 

[tommylommykins]

If your disk is making clicking noises then I don't think it's very likely that you will be able to get data back from it.

However, if you want to use linux, then you will need to use an "Ubuntu Livecd" (these can be installed to USB)

The process will be a bit dauting if you've never used linux before though. Be warned.