xp MCE restore - help w/boot disc

[Cienja]

Hi. I have an XP Media Center Edition laptop that requires me to use the Toshiba restore disc. However, using the disc will format the drive. Before formatting, I need to get to some files to back them up.

How do I get to the crompt in order to locate and back up the files? F8 brings up the option to boot in safe mode w/command prompt, but in doing so a window is displayed telling me that safe mode is unavailable and system startup will begin.

I think a boot disc type of method would work, but I don't know for sure.

Please advise.

Thanks.

 

[KGB]

You can either boot to a 'live' CD or remove the HD and connect it to another PC.

 

[Lanyap]

You can buy a low cost external enclosure and put the HD in it to connect to another computer. It would make it a lot easier to retrieve your files. Make sure you get the correct type of enclosure, 2.5" SATA or IDE. What Toshiba model do you have?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&PageSize=100

 

[VirtualLarry]

Linux liveCD boot disc, and a thumb drive.

 

[Cienja]

Thanks all. I took the hd out and put it into my pc and pulled the files. This was a virus on an old machine that took its toll. What a pain in the ass.