Tips and Tricks for Recovering Data from a Computer That Won’t Boot

Using Live USB/CD for Boot

1. What is a Live USB/CD?

Live USB/CD is a storage device that contains an operating system that can be run directly from a USB drive or CD/DVD without needing to be installed on a computer’s hard drive. Live USB/CD allows you to access and use a temporary operating system, which is very useful when your computer can’t boot from the operating system on the hard drive.

Benefits of Live USB/CD

• Emergency Access: Access the operating system for data recovery when the computer won’t boot.
• Diagnostics and Repair: Running system diagnostics and repair tools.
• Security: Removes malware or viruses from the system without the risk of further spread.
• Convenience: It does not require permanent installation, so it does not affect the data present on the hard drive.

2. Create Live USB/CD

Quick Tutorial on How to Create a Live USB/CD Using Rufus or UNetbootin

Using Rufus:

1. Download Rufus: Download Rufus from the official Rufus website.
2. Download Operating System ISO: Download the ISO file of the operating system you want to use (e.g., Ubuntu, Windows PE).
3. Run Rufus: Open Rufus and plug in your USB drive.
4. Select Device: Under “Device,” select the USB drive you want to use.
5. Select ISO: Click “SELECT” and select the ISO file you have downloaded.
6. Default Settings: Leave the other settings on default and click “START”.
7. Creation Process: Wait for the process to complete and your USB drive is ready to be used as a Live USB.

Using UNetbootin:

1. Download UNetbootin: Download UNetbootin from the official UNetbootin website.
2. Download the Operating System ISO: Download the ISO file of the operating system you want to use.
3. Run UNetbootin: Open UNetbootin and plug in your USB drive.
4. Select Diskimage: Select the “Diskimage” option and browse the ISO file you have downloaded.
5. Select USB Drive: Make sure the correct USB drive is selected under the “Drive” option.
6. Click OK: Click “OK” to start the Live USB creation process.
7. Creation Process: Wait for the process to complete and your USB drive is ready to be used as a Live USB.

3. Booting from Live USB/CD

Steps to Set BIOS to Boot from USB/CD

1. Restart the Computer: Restart your computer.
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI: During the boot process, press the appropriate button to enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2, Del, Esc, or F12).
3. Navigate to the Boot Menu: Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot menu.
4. Set Boot Priority: Change the boot order so that the USB drive or CD/DVD takes precedence first.
   • Select the USB drive or CD/DVD and move it to the top position in the boot order list.
5. Save and Exit: Save the settings by pressing F10 and selecting Yes to exit the BIOS/UEFI.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Booting

• Make sure the USB Drive/CD is connected: Make sure the USB drive or CD/DVD is connected to the computer before restarting.
• Compatibility Check: Make sure the operating system on the Live USB/CD is compatible with your computer’s hardware.
• Check USB Connection: If using a USB drive, make sure the USB connection is stable and not damaged.
• Try a Different USB Port: If your computer won’t boot from a USB drive, try using a different USB port.

Recover Data with Software Recovery

1. Using MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Superiority:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use user interface.
• Supports a wide range of file formats and storage devices.
• It has a preview feature of files before recovery.

Deficiency:

• The free version has a limit on the amount of data that can be recovered.
• The scanning process may take a while depending on the size of the drive.

2. Using Recuva

Superiority:

• The free version is quite complete with basic data recovery features.
• Simple and easy-to-use interface.
• Effective in-depth scanning options.

Deficiency:

• Advanced recovery features are limited compared to other paid software.
• It doesn’t always work for data recovery from a severely damaged drive.