Some day I'll try it for myself. However I just had a CNC machine  which
runs under Linux implode on me the other day..  scrambled the
Compact flash hard drive w/ a Grub Error..  took 18hrs to re-load
and configure the machine w/ a new flash hard drive..  nobody had
ever heard of this happening..  everyone said it was impossible..
it only took me 2 days of using the machine before I destroyed it :-)

I've still got the hard drive [scrambled one] in it's original  form.. and as
of yet.. no-one has been able to touch it.. No app will open it or  allow
any data to come off it..

It was an interesting experiance to say the least :-)

Jarrett

You need to find out what version of Linux it is.
Different version sometimes have different file systems.
Fedora has a file system that is interchangeable with Windows.
Also Fedora can set up different file systems on the same computer.

Then get a PC with a new small hard drive and the suspect hard drive  as a second
slave drive. Or a USB drive. Install the same version of Linux on  the new hard drive. Then you should be able to read the vast  majority of data on the suspect drive. The file system choices are  many. You can get a 1000 page book on Linux in the book stores that  comes with a DVD with Linux on it. Cost is about $50 US

Paul Lamar

Jarrett -

I'll give it a whack (at recovery).  Send me the compact flash drive.
Contact off-list for info: vort1 at pacstates dot com

Now that you have a WORKING drive installation, please do yourself a
big favor and "ghost" it.  Unix/Linux has a disk dump command "dd"
that is perfect for this.  "dd" the drive to a file on another
computer or USB external drive.  When (not if) another corruption
occurs, just "dd" it back to a good drive.

If you send me a working drive and a new, blank drive, I'll make a
backup copy for you.

Some problems are easily marginalized.  :)

-Vince Orton