Does anyone know if there is any way to do this? Here is the basic situation:

Windows XP SP3 computer -- OS Boots to the hal.dll is missing error, thus never lettings you into Windows.

Trying to boot off of a Windows CD to enter the recovery console to attempt a repair does not work. (Blue screens almost immediately after pressing enter to boot from CD).

Trying to boot off of a recovery console only CD has the same effect.

Hooking the hard drive up to another computer the drive is recognized and drive letters assigned, however the file system appears to be corrupt and you cannot access the drive.

Booting from an Linux Live CD (Ubuntu) allows me to see the file/folder structure and copy/recover most of the files I need to get.

My problem however is that I have 2 digital certificates that I need to back up so I can restore them once I replace this hard drive -- normally I would just go through the normal export process but that obviously isn't an option at this point. Does anyone know if it is possible to manually back these certificates up, and if so, any information on how to do that would be appreciated.

1/6/2010 12:19:49 PM

I've recovered quite a bit with EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard before. you can use the free trial to see what it can find and then go from there. there are also some free options out there i'm sure but i'm not familiar with them bc at the time when i purchased EASEUS i really didnt have time to deal with it so it was worth the $$

[Edited on January 6, 2010 at 1:12 PM. Reason : also, if you are able to find what you need via the free version PM me.. might can help you out]

1/6/2010 1:10:35 PM

Thanks for the reply -- I can actually access the files using an Ubuntu Live CD now, my main problem lies in locating where the certificates are stored on the system, and finding out if I can just copy over those certificates and reinstall or reimport them once I get a new HD in and the OS reloaded, or if you *have* to export them in order to transfer them to another computer.

Unfortunately due to the state of the system, its not possible to boot into windows in any capacity to export them the normal way, however if there is a way to manually copy them across I can just do it through the ubuntu live disc.

1/6/2010 1:51:45 PM

I'd get a copy of them off of that drive first and foremost. I would imagine there has to be a way to import them into IE with what you have..

1/6/2010 3:16:56 PM

I was finally able to get the system to a point where I could log into windows --

Had to hook the drive up to another machine as a secondary drive and let windows chkdsk it which fixed a trillion or so index errors/orphaned files -- afterward I was able to boot from the recovery console cd and copy over a previous set of the SYSTEM SAM SECURITY SOFTWARE and DEFAULT registry files from a fairly recent system restore point. System booted up into Windows afterward and I was able to export the certificates.

Was a bit of a pain, but thankfully it worked out.

Appreciate the help ScHpEnXeL

1/6/2010 6:19:23 PM