---
sidebar_position: 3
title: "Part B — Windows Does Not Boot"
---

# Part B — Windows Does Not Boot (Linux Live USB)

---

If the client's PC will not boot into Windows, you will use a Linux live environment to access the hard drive and copy the database files.

---

## B1 — Boot from the Linux Live USB

1. Insert your bootable Ubuntu USB into the dead PC.
2. Power on the PC and enter the **Boot Menu** (usually `F8`, `F11`, or `F12` — varies by manufacturer).
3. Select your USB drive from the boot menu.
4. When Ubuntu loads, choose **"Try Ubuntu"** (do not install).

---

## B2 — Mount the Windows Drive

Ubuntu may mount the Windows drive automatically. If not:
1. Open the **Files** application (file manager). The Windows drive should appear in the left sidebar — click it to mount it.
2. If it doesn't appear, open a **Terminal** and run:

```bash
# List all available drives and partitions
sudo fdisk -l
```

Look for a partition of type `NTFS` with the size matching the client's main drive (e.g., `/dev/sda3`). Then mount it:

```bash
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/windows
sudo mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sda3 /mnt/windows
```

Replace `/dev/sda3` with the correct partition name from `fdisk -l`.

3. Verify the drive is mounted:

```bash
ls /mnt/windows
```

You should see the familiar Windows folders: `Users`, `Program Files`, `Windows`, etc.

---

## B3 — Mount the USB Drive

1. Plug in your USB drive. Ubuntu will mount it automatically under `/media/ubuntu/`.
2. Find the exact mount point:

```bash
ls /media/ubuntu/
```

Note the folder name (it will be the USB drive label, e.g., `SUPPORT_USB`). Your full USB path will be something like `/media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB`.

---

## B4 — SQL Server: Copy Files from the Dead Drive

Navigate to the SQL Server data directory and copy the files:

```bash
# Adjust the MSSQL version folder (MSSQL14=2017, MSSQL15=2019, MSSQL16=2022)
ls "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/"
```

You will see all `.mdf`, `.ndf`, and `.ldf` files listed. Copy the client's database files to the USB:

```bash
# Create a folder on the USB for organization
mkdir -p /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery

# Copy the target database files (replace ClientDB with the actual name)
sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB.mdf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/

sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB_log.ldf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/

# If a secondary file exists, copy it too
sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB.ndf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/ 2>/dev/null || true
```

---

## B5 — PostgreSQL: Copy Files from the Dead Drive

```bash
# Create a folder on the USB
mkdir -p /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/PostgreSQL_Recovery

# Copy the entire data directory (adjust version number as needed)
sudo cp -r "/mnt/windows/Program Files/PostgreSQL/15/data" \
           /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/PostgreSQL_Recovery/
```