[CRIMPS]

Originally Posted by xFreebirdx

You can recover/access data using a Ubuntu Live CD. You can download it for free off the Internet at Ubuntus site here. This OS will run from the CD allowing you to access ALL areas of a windows OS. Even restricted access areas. Make sure the external HD is plugged in and powered up. You then put the UBUNTU Live cd in and boot from your CD/DVD rom drive. When given the choice choose "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer". And the OS will run from the CD and give you full access to the PC and Network so you can copy and paste your files/data anywhere.

Be patient and read all you can about it first. The link I supplied will give you all the info you need. Its a long process getting it figured out. But once you do you'll be unstoppable. I'd love to walk/talk you through it but your overseas so that may be out. I'd also like to type out how to do it but it would take me all day. But I have given you the tools to do it. It works very well and I have been able to recover 1000's of GB of data for my customers.

Good luck!

Again the site........https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

+1 for Eddie's advice. This is by far the simplest solution. Good luck.