im looking for the best way to rescue files off someones harddrive, assuming they can't boot into windows, and that they dont have a cdrw, and also assuming they would prefer me not to open up their case.

what would be the best way? all i can think of is a USB file transfer cable, although ive never used one, but then i would need to get USB support in bart pe, which i have failed to find anywhere. any ideas?

Is the PC hooked up to a network? If not, can you bring in a laptop and hook it up with a crossover cable to the PC? While I have not done this, PE should have Automatic IP addressing or what ever it is called and if the NIC on the PC is picked up by PE you should be able to connect to the laptop.

Mike

yeah i was thinking about network, but what goes through my mind is, unless i have a comprehensive collection of nic drivers, there will always be some person i come in contact with that doesn't have nic support.