I always advise my friends and customers to keep a copy of the Linux Live CD. The reason is that in the event that your Windows crashes (Well, they often do), you can boot up the Linux Live CD and rescue all your data.

Most Linux distribution comes with a Live CD. The purpose is to allow the user to test drive the OS before installing on the PC. This bootable Live CD contains the entire Linux Operating System and it doesn’t require any installation. Thus, if your Windows has died, crashes, or refuse to boot up, there is no need to moan over the loss of data and blame yourself for not backing up. You just need to pop in the Live CD and you’ve got a simple, user-friendly Linux OS that you can use to access your data and even surf the Internet.

Getting a Linux Live CD is free.

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