Hello:

Thank you for the tip. It worked!! I was able to

1) mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 and copy /home/rossi to a external drive.

2) fix the hard drive with e2fsck. When I shudown the knoppix system and tried my hard drive, it booted!!!

I am not taking and chances though. The hard drive still has a death rattle. I have ordered another drive.

Thanks again.

Warm regards,

Angelo