Recovering files from T60 with a broken winXP install

Hello all, I am trying to rescue the files from a mostly-deceased ThinkPad T60 running Window XP. This T60 has the fingerprint reader, and I was foolish enough to place the files in a secure volume.

When I boot Windows, it gets as far as the splash screen and then hangs there with the progress bar cycling endlessly. I did create a set of Rescue & Recovery CDs (actually two sets, one burned to CD and one burned to DVD) when I initially purchased the laptop, but these do not contain the files I want to recover (which were created at a later date). When I attempt to run R&R by booting either set of disks, the R&R software will load to the main screen but within a few seconds (or at most a minute, but in no case am I able to actually use any of the diagnostic/recovery tools effectively) the system freezes up tight and won't even respond to CTRL-ALT-DEL.

I have also tried physically removing the SATA HDD and putting it in an external USB case. The drive is recognized when connected to another computer, but I can't access the files because they are locked inside that secure volume.

Finally, I also tried to boot using a standard XP installation CD to see if running a chkdsk /r (after selecting the Repair option from the first screen) would help and get me past the XP splash screen. Unfortunately, after loading all drivers, etc. the WinXP recovery console says it cannot find any drives to repair. I assume this is because the secure volume simply doesn't exist as far as an OEM XP disk is concerned.

I suppose I could try something with a Linux LiveCD or something, but since the files I want are locked away inside a secure volume I'm not sure that will get me any further ahead.

I do have the WinXP administrative password written down so if there is a tool out there that will allow me to unlock my files using that password, I'm in good shape.

Any ideas? I'd really like to get these files back. I don't care about the XP install itself, and in fact I'm planning to format the HDD and install OpenSuse just as soon as I'm done getting my files back.

 

i think you would need to find another similar thinkpad to access this secure volume.

When you say deceased, is that in relation to the hardware or the software of the machine?

 

By mostly-deceased I am referring to the Windows install (the software). However the battery is also dead, and I just tried to boot with an OpenSuse LiveCD and the machine froze halfway through the boot process, so it seems there are hardware issues as well.

So if I am able to get access to another ThinkPad T6x series machine, how would I go about recovering these files? The volume is secured using my old fingerprint/password, not the one that will exist on a different machine.

 

.....................nvm,
When connecting the HDD externally,
Were you prompted for the password when accessing the secure volume?
What OS did you use for accessing it?

If the volume is simply invisible and you don't mind spending another 50$ for trial and error -
I'd recommend you this software. It's a long and tedious process and you'll need to use it on another PC with your HDD connected to externally, but it just might work. Our company uses it quite often for recovering files from damaged drives.

Also, an obvious question but still,
Have you tried booting your T60 into a safe mode?

 

I am not prompted to enter a password, I am simply (IIRC) informed that the volume is inaccessible. This was with WinXP.

I'll look into the data recovery software you mention, but since the files are encrypted my assumption going in is that recovery software (as opposed to cracking tools) won't be of much help.

 

If it's inaccessible within XP - you can still try Linux or W7 (Linux should work, it will ask for the password before mounting the volume)


Their program might still work, it uses complex algorithms on tracing smallest fragments of files lost after multiple formats and probably doesn't even see the encryption, since it operates on a lower level. I recovered encrypted files with it in the past, but not sure if it gets all of them or just a portion.

 

I managed to get my files back.

I booted into Windows and hit F8 in order to bring up the Safe Mode option (I thought I'd already tried this before but I guess I overlooked it). I had hoped that once in Safe Mode I'd be able to pull the files off the SecureDrive.vol (mapped to the R: drive), but I guess there are some drivers or services that don't load in Safe Mode so windows didn't even see the R: drive at all.

But I was able to launch a chkdsk /r, which ran on the next reboot. It took two tries at it (chkdsk froze up the machine on the first run through), but chkdsk found and fixed a whole bunch of errors and I was able to log into WinXP. I pulled all my files onto a USB stick, and literally within 30 seconds the system froze up solid again.

Running diagnostics from a Lenovo PC Doctor bootable CD, I discovered this 100GB fujitsu drive is riddled with errors. So I might try some kind of low-level format to try to clean it up before I install a fresh copy of OpenSuse 11.2. Any recommendations for repairing/reformatting this drive?

 

Personally, I'd load up my .410 shotgun and use it for target practice.

 

You got a shotgun? i envy you...