Handy tool

I do not know if you have checked this out yet but it is a handy tool to have: Trinity rescue kit
it is a linux based tool that enables you to delete files on a windows box without the operating system running. No more having files locked by the operating system. This tool might be a good addtion to the great tools you are currently using. This one feature has been extremely helpfull to me, but is only one of the many things that can be done with the Kit.

Add to that BartPE, UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD), EBCD (Emergency boot cd), UBCD for windows, INSERT linux, F.I.R.E., Backtrack and freedos.

Spildit when did backtrack release with full read /write on ntfs???Maybe I missed that one, most of the ones you listed have full read and some limited write but Trinity was the first one I found with full read/write access
I just tried a virus scan on a XP box with back/track and it would only give me r/o access. have not tried freedos yet thanks for suggestion.

it is a linux based tool that enables you to delete files on a windows box without the operating system running

Oh.. i guess you wanted to say "...it is a linux based tool that enables you to delete files on a NTFSwindows box without the operating system running ..."

Freedos will not read NTFS by itself. You will need a tool for doing that under dos.

Windows XP can run under FAT32.

Yes you are correct , I can see where the mistake on my part was, windows box is a vague term could mean anything from the orginal windows to a XP machine formated with Fat32. NTFS was a problem untill trinity came along. Trinity I believe is using a new access method that does not rely on the windows dll's. When you use it ,it will ,if connected to the internet, automatically down load the latest virus defs then scan all the drives it can find.