If the restore from the HP disk did not erase the files, you should be able to restore them by mounting the internal hard disk manually. Damn Small Linux (DSL), if it still exists is a good one usually. Another good one is GParted, which is a tool, but also the name of a distro. KNOPPIX is also another distro that I used to rescue data from a computer in the exact same situation as you experienced for my brother-in-law. You should make sure that you have access to a USB disk of a reasonnable size, so you can copy the files from the internal hard disk partitions to the USB disk. I would also recommend copying more directories/files than less, because the next step is reformatting the hard disk and installing a CLEAN Windows (hopefully not Vista). If you're not sure, about a directory, copy it. I know that some tax softwares were keeping their files in the program directory, not under "my documents". If you're comfortable with computer hardware and can play with a screwdriver and cables, you could entirely replace the internal hard disk with a brand new [bigger] one. This has two advantages: 1. You have a de-facto backup of everything 2. You have a brand new disk, which is more likely to last longer before having bad sectors or other hardware issues. If you have more questions do not hesitate to ask. Hopefully, someone will be able to answer it, and someone could also help you at the next OCLUG meeting, before the actual main meeting. Thanks :-) JF --- Le code source libre c'est l'ouverture de l'esprit. Open Source is open minded. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [OCLUG-Tech] What is the lightest linux From: pa ul <komblix [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com> Date: Mon, March 31, 2014 10:51 am To: linux [ at ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca Can you tell me which is the lightest linux (use usb) need to revover data/files from previous windows vista, which had stopped due to virus I guess and I restored from HP`s install of the os. I did not see my data. I need several files and folders from that Can you please help. kom _______________________________________________ Linux mailing list Linux [ at ] lists [ dot ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca http://oclug.on.ca/mailman/listinfo/linux