[tlug] HELP! A possible Linux Rescue CD for my Japanese files!

[David Bennett <davidbennett1979@example.com>]

Hello everyone,

 I have only recently started to use Linux onced again after a 12 year
break from the scene. It is ironic now that it seems I am depending on
it to save a lot of important data. I have tried numerous other places
to look for the answer, so now I turn to you for help!

The problem:

My Windows NTFS partition died. Their seem to be some sector errors or
something bad happening with the drive. Suffice it to say it doesn't
work. If any version of Windows tries to access the hard drive, the
hard drive light goes on and it (windows) freezes.

The (potential) solution:

Linux LIVE Cd's. I figured that I might be able to mount the parititon
as a read only and save the data on to a FAT32 or some other
partition. This is where it gets tricky: I tried Knoppix and another
LIVE CD (the name escapes me) but they can't read the parition. When I
click on it from Knoqueror in KDE or try and list the directory
through the shell, I just get a blank parition.

HOWEVER (and this is big) with Slackware's SLAX Live CD I can read the
drive, and copy most of the files off of it with lots of "Stalled"
messages and a lot of patience. I am guessing that perhaps Slax has a
more advanced NTFS driver or something (I actually have no idea why
only SLAX can read the paritton). The BIG problem is that Slax (and/or
Konqueror) completely ignore any filename or directory that is in
Japanese. No "?" or no "X"'s it simply does not see the files and it
is as if they are not there.

Unfortunately, the Japanese named filenames and directories are some
of the most important on the drive. All of the English stuff has been
saved through SLAX, but I do not know what to do about the rest of it.

(1) Is there a way to make a Linux LivE CD like Berry or Knoppix
Japanese read the NTFS drive like Slackware?

(2) Is there a way to make Slackware read Japanese filenames?

(3) Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
David Bennett
davidbennett1979@example.com