recover from install of xp

[Oh Snarfie!]

Hi,
I'm working on a computer and the customer tried to install windows xp over wiindows 2000 pro. It apparently got to a point where it asks "insert windowsxp service pack 2 disk". I don't have this disk, and apparently the customer does not either. So the setup errors out as not having some component and quits the install. Then reboots, runs to the same place and does it all over again.
I need to at least recover the data from the computer. VERY IMPORTANT. As I'm sure you know.
How?
Thanks very much in advance.
Big Mike.

[glc]

The easiest way to recover the data is pull the hard drive and dump it into another computer by slaving it in or using a USB housing/adapter. The only real option to do this in place is to try repairing Win2000 but I don't think I'd do that without recovering the data first.

[Oh Snarfie!]

I can slave it. I'ts been awhile since I ran 2 drives, I'll be able to see the data on the slave drive even with a corrupt install on it?
Thanks, and God Bless.
Mike.

[glc]

As long as it tries to boot and gives you some kind of message, you should be able to get the data if you slave it or use a USB adapter. The only thing the failed setup has messed up is the boot.ini and maybe some of the system files.