boot a laptop

[dctyper]

so the hdd is ~~~~ed on a laptop, wont boot

ive heard of an os that you can boot from a dvd drive to access the hdd to extract files.

any ideas where to get it from?

dc

[Sirus]

Download a Linux-distro "live CD" like ubuntu.. or get a usb thumb drive and put an os on it and boot from there(think linux slax is best for this)

If you can see the HD and access the files then just burn the stuff to disk or send it over a network

On a side note have you tried that Hirens CD.. that may fix your boot sector and if not it also has a mini win xp which is like a live CD