Anyone for file recovery using a live Linux distro. Some years back Knoppix was an answer for that.
Computer First Aid Using Knoppix
Knoppix faded away over the last few years seeing ubuntu, Gentoo, Mephis, and a few others able to see onto MS partitions. The ubuntu live latest 8.04 replacing the 7.10 will perform well. You just have to get used to the new logo now seen on the desktop of 8.04 release over the plain gold color with the 7.10.
Here's how ubuntu was able to see onto a usb external drive to copy files onto an internal sata model all with NTFS partitions on them.