Need to reformat, want to backup data first

[rustyjeep]

A friend installed service pack 2, and now can't boot into windows. I plan on going over tonight to help out, and was looking for some tips.

I plan on trying safe mode, last known good, then recovery console to repair the existing install.

I then figure it will be reinstall time, but need to get the existing data off.

So, I have a 1gig usb stick, a 40 gig usb drive, and a built in cdrw. I don't want to open their case (as that would void the dell warrenty) or else I'd just throw it in another box as a slave.

Any ideas? If I boot to dos, and backup using xcopy, I'll just get a ton of short filenames. I need some sort of windows shell to backup the files, then reinstall, then move them back.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[Fern]

If you've got, or can get, Norton Ghost you can back it up over a network. Course, you'll have to network 'em. That'll keep you from opening the case.

You could also do it to the usb drive with Ghost, or to the cdrw, Ghost is suppose to span, so you can use multiple cds.