Recover files from Vista with Knoppix

[needhelp]

Does anyone know which version of Knoppix I need to recover files from my failed vista OS. I have tried everything to repair, restore without success. I need to retreive improtant files but dont know how. I have installed Knoppix on the comp and can see all my files and look at them but can't copy them or paste them to my Thumb drive so I can put the files on one of my other computers.
I just dont get the option to copy and paste. maybe I am using the wrong version of Knoppix does anyone know which version I should use to do this.
I have read articles that tell me all I have to do is copy and paste but that doesn't work.
So if anyone knows how to do it or what version of Knoppix to use. please let me know.
If you know how to do it, please tell me step by step I have very little knowledger of Knoppix
Thanks guys.

[pam123]

The current version of Knoppix is here : http://www.knoppix.net/get.php

Instructions for using are here : http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic129757.html

[kilgoretrout]

How do you have your thumb drive formatted, NTFS or FAT32? I haven't used Koppix in ages but it used to mount everything read only by default IIRC. Slax is a little easier to use if your not familiar with linux since it mounts everything read/write by default and includes the ntfs-3g driver so you can have full write support for NTFS. If your thumb drive is formatted NTFS, the absence of the ntfs-3g driver in knoppix would result in the inability to write to the device.

[AnotherMuggle]

If you are getting no joy with Knoppix, then perhaps you can try the Ubuntu LiveCD.

I've not used Knoppix in a long time but I have used a number of the more recent Ubuntu distros and I have had no troubles with external storage being recognised or accessed. It is litterally copy and paste in the same manner you will be familiar with in Windows OS's.

The latest version of Ubuntu shouldn't have a problem with either FAT or NTFS filesystems either.