No matter how old I get, I can’t get away from friends of mine calling me for help when their Windows have a problem. I have finally get to a point where they call me only when the fire is clearly visible, but still it is too often….
This week I had to do it again. I’ve became an expert:
- Save the data…that means the whole harddisk, since you never know for sure where Windows apps save the key data
- Check harddisk’s integrity. It would be nice to have statistics about how often a harddisk breaks with windows installed compared with linux in the same enviroment.
- Pass an antivirus, maybe you just have to restore a couple of archives.
- Try to restore the windows installation (this doesn’t work in 99% of the cases)
- Format the harddisk
- Install windows
- Install drivers
- Install apps
- Restore data
- Restore configurations
- Install eDonkey or similar (this is a special category even for corporative computers) 🙂
I used to do some of these operations with Knoppix, but lately I do them with Kubuntu. I would like to use a pendrive specially prepared for this. I have a Mandrake one (from aKademy 2007) but I prefer a Debian based one (I’m more used to it). Is there any?
Maybe next time I have to help somebody to restore the Windows, I convince myself to do it. It is such a pain…..
toscalix 
You have detailed explanations how to put system rescure into an usb here :http://www.sysresccd.org/Sysresccd-manual-en_How_to_install_SystemRescueCd_on_an_USB-stickIt’s easy.
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Hi,I’ve used isostick.sh to create a kubuntu usb key. It’s easy and it works.
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So I can download Rescue CD an put it into a pendrive and use to rescue windows Op. Systems or doing some rescue operations with linux also?I ‘ve never configured before a pen drive as a bootable unit. I’m going to find a Howto and try to do it. Thanks for your comments
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Personal favourite rescue CD:< HREF="http://finnix.org" REL="nofollow">Finnix<>.
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@Thomas – Of just put KlamAV on there 😉
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HiI suggest next time installing kubuntu instead on such a machine and telling the guy you found a new version of Windows thats slightly different, but much more stable.Don’t forget to install something that looks like a virus scanner 😉
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Hi,That’s one problem that I have almost everyday 🙂I’m a linux guy supporting 450 windows users and servers and I think that I can resolve your problem.Try System RescueCD, http://www.sysresccd.org/It fits on a small pen and have everything that you will need, although Kubuntu has a real advantage: You can always try to install it “by mistake” and who knows? Maybe they like it 🙂CarlosI know, my English is bad…
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