You probably already know these things, but for those who don't know how to access files from an un-bootable hdd see below.
Download any Linux live cd. Boot from live cd and copy all files that you want.
Some live cds: Linuxmint (preferred) 1.5 gb, Ubuntu 1gb, Puppy linux 162 mb, DSL (Damn small Linux) 50mb only.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Make a bootable USB drive. Easy but requires a blank pen drive.
Add a good hdd (external or internal).
Boot PC using pen drive or dvd and use file manager to copy files to good hdd.
Another approach (Risky for inexperienced people) is to clone the entire hdd or a hdd partition you are interested in. Use EaseUs disk copy free, CloneZilla free. These require a blank hdd equal to or larger than the partition/disk being cloned. Cloning may be hard and confusing for those who have not done it before. Many people copy the blank hdd onto the data hdd and repent later.
Just because you managed to copy a file using these steps does not mean the file is not corrupted. You will still have to verify each file to see if it's ok.
Download any Linux live cd. Boot from live cd and copy all files that you want.
Some live cds: Linuxmint (preferred) 1.5 gb, Ubuntu 1gb, Puppy linux 162 mb, DSL (Damn small Linux) 50mb only.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Make a bootable USB drive. Easy but requires a blank pen drive.
See http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/
or http://www.unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
If you don't want to or can't use a pendrive: Burn bootable image to dvd (Read-write dvd also ok). or http://www.unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
use imgburn or any image burning software
Add a good hdd (external or internal).
Boot PC using pen drive or dvd and use file manager to copy files to good hdd.
Another approach (Risky for inexperienced people) is to clone the entire hdd or a hdd partition you are interested in. Use EaseUs disk copy free, CloneZilla free. These require a blank hdd equal to or larger than the partition/disk being cloned. Cloning may be hard and confusing for those who have not done it before. Many people copy the blank hdd onto the data hdd and repent later.
Just because you managed to copy a file using these steps does not mean the file is not corrupted. You will still have to verify each file to see if it's ok.