To backup data using this procedure you will need the following:
1) External storage media to transfer files to (ie: external hdd)
2) Parted Magic Boot CD
(download from: http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=downloads )
3) Parted Magic Backup Script
(download from: http://www.mediafire.com/?a6a5ppd507qnca9 )
Procedure:
1) Burn a Parted Magic Boot CD using a program like Active ISO
(http://download.cnet.com/Active-ISO-Burner/3000-2646_4-10602452.html )
2) Boot your computer from the Parted Magic Boot CD (you may need to go into BIOS and change preferred boot order)
3) Download the Backup Script and then extract it to the Desktop (location is arbitrary but the Desktop will be used in this tutorial)
4) Open up the Terminal and type the following to start the script:
cd Desktop
./Backupscript-partedmagic.sh
The script should now start and provide you will instructions for backing up your data
Troubleshooting:
Issue:
The terminal says permission is denied to open the script.
Solution:
In the terminal type:
chmod a=wxr Backupscript-partedmagic.sh
Issue:
The terminal says the file was not found.
Solution:
Make sure you are in the correct directory where the script is located
You can change directories in the terminal with the "cd" command
Issue:
The script cannot mount my hard drive.
Solution:
Given that your operating system is not working there is likely an issue with the filesystem for your partition. The best way to recover data from it is to use a program called Photorec (also found on Parted Magic). If Photorec doesn't help you (I will post a tutorial on it soon) then you may need to see a professional data recovery service. Feel free to message me if you aren't sure.
Notes on the script:
-This script will help you backup files from any computer that can boot off of Parted Magic to external media.
-It works off of a preset blacklist. It will copy all files on your computer except for those on my blacklist (which includes things such as Windows or Program Files)
-This script will work best on a computer that is plugged into the internet via an ethernet cord (wireless will work as well but you have to manually configure it)
-The network transfer option in the command requires you to type a command to mount a network drive.
Example:
mount.cifs //markbackup.somedomain.com/backup /media/mtpt -o user=mark, pass=pass
(that isn't a real backup server but the syntax should be correct)
