Here is the problem, i'd appreciate any help towards solving it:

1. I have an XP operated PC
2. XP crashed due to an lsass error
3. I can no longer boot XP
4. I can not even boot to DOS
5. I have a rescue disk that came with the (6 week old!) PC but not a windows (OEM) disk
6. The rescue disk will wipe my drive and restore to factory settings, ie. reinstall XP
7. I have over 70 GB of data on there I don't want to lose.

My solution:
somehow boot, copy my precious data to another drive and use the rescue disk. Note: The rescue disk will not do anything else but wipe and restore to facory settings.

So far I have tried:
1. Ubuntu live CD
I tried this but could not see my drives (i have an ATA on which the OS was and an IDE which I wanted to use as my backup. Note, the IDE is normally not attached, in steead this IDE is attatched to a DVD drive)
2. After asking for help on the ubuntu forums they refered me to Knoppix.
3. Got knoppix (after a 3 hour trip through hell)
4. Knoppix wont show my drives either!

Please please please! Help! I have no desire to fatten Bil Gates' account by dishing out 200 bucks for acopy of XP which i technically allready own!
Ive been computerless for a week now! please help an online game addict out![/b]