Knoppix
Known for its data recovery prowess, Knoppix is a user-friendly Linux distribution that boasts a clean interface for simple transfer of data onto an external source by mounting a drive.

Trinity Rescue Kit
It almost seems to simple to be true. Place the Trinity Resuce Kit on a USB drive, boot your computer and let a powerful host of antivirus tools scan the mounted drives.

Avira AntiVir
Swift and steadfast, Avira AntiVir is a command-line antivirus tool with a graphical user interface that will get the job done.

GParted Live
Another Linux distribution, GParted Live allows the user to control partitions. It’s compatible with various file systems and is very portable as it can be run via USB drive or CD.

SystemRescueCD
Controlling partitions, recovering files, testing the hard-disk and formatting FTPs and disks are just some of the plentiful tasks the Linux rescue CD SystemRescueCD can accomplish.

Unbuntu Rescue Remix
As would be expected, Unbuntu Rescue Remix has an outstanding interface, but that’s not all. It can recover and save files and file systems over a whole range of operating systems and drives–even deleted files.

F-Secure Rescue CD
Molded after Knoppix, F-Secure Rescue CD will review the honesty of applications you have installed, as well as repair the effects of malware and has an exceptional data recovery.

Ddrescue
Seeing read errors? The Ddrescue Linux tool can salvage your data by copying it from one file block agent to another.

Safecopy
Like others, Safecopy can copy data, but this tool can also extract data from CDs in raw mode and implement system resets, plus run testing and benchmarking in bad media simulations.

Linux rescue mode
Coming in the form of a Linux boot CD, this mode lets you retain passwords and fix your boot loader, among other useful repairs.