Any way to view files on a computer if the operating system is corrupt/broke...

Without having to reinstall Windows XP? Basically, there's a specific file from a computer I had that I now need, and well, the computer itself is completely stuff, will not boot, and it says a vital file needed for Windows XP is corrupted/missing on start up.

Is there any way to maybe view or transfer the file to a pen drive/flash storage or something without using some form of operating system?

 

This may contain something of use for you although I aint sure what program it would be , there is disk management tools, there may be something in there:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

 

Take the hard drive out of the computer A that is not working and slave it into one (computer B) that is working.

Slave means that computer Bs HD will be used to boot the system, and then you can view the contents of drive A.

If nothing else, just unplug the cables from CD/DVD rom from the working computer, and plug them into the drive that will not boot.

-- edit --

I do this all the time. People will bring me a computer that will not boot. I'll take the drive out, slave it into another system, backup their data, put the drive back into their system, format c:, reinstall windows.

Take the now working system, connect it to my network and transfer all of their old files and documents back over to a shared folder. That will not reinstall their programs, but at least they get to keep their pictures, word documents, emails,,,,

 

Thats the thing, he said without using an operating system, I actually am interested in doing this without any second computer myself. I do that all the time what you mentioned, having even an old machine comes in handy to stick the drive in and pull the data before a reinstall.

 

Since I do have more than one computer, this is a kind of response I need, although if kevin would explain this answer a bit better, I could print off the answer and maybe get someone who knows about computers and such like to try it.

 

Hiren's BootCD. You can get a legitimate copy from torrents, or Google for a download location. It's the most powerful 50MB CD image you could ever download and burn.

 

The best $20 i've ever spent

Sabrent USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive with Power Adapter at TigerDirect.com

 

Its like installing a second hard drive on your computer - thats all it is. You just take the HD out of one computer and put it into another.

But if its on an IDE cable, you have to have the jumper settings right.