I would TEMPORARILY attach a Windows 2000 Pro/fat32 hard drive as a slave drive to a Mandriva 2007 hard drive. Then, I want to copy files from the Windows hd to the linux hd. I don't need any programs or OS files, but I do need the files that are in "My Documents," such as docs and jpegs. After all files are copied, I want to use only the linux hd.

I assume that copying these files would be as easy as clicking on "devices" in kde and selecting the drive. But, I feel like I'm missing something.

Please walk me through this. I have very little familiarity with the command line right now, but am willing to learn.

Thank you.

Will linux automatically see the Windows drive?

Yes it will.

Your distro should mount it automagically (I don't use Mandriva), look for it in /media or /mnt folders, and browse around Konqueror.

If it isn't there, then, post output from mount command (just type mount in terminal, and copy here everything it says - don't worry, you won't risk your privacy in any way). And one more information - how are you attaching hard drive? USB or you're putting it in the computer?

GNU/Linux can read almost all file systems, so Windows' are not a problem.

Where most distributions automatically mount a USB drive they typically do not with an IDE drive installed after OS installation. In a nutshell you will need to:
1. Create a directory to be used as a mount point.
2. As root user mount the directory to the newly created directory. Depending on how the drive is connected will determine its device ID.
hda = 1st controller master
hdb = 1st controller slave
hdc = 2nd controller master
hdd = 2nd controller slave

3. locate the files need to be copied.
4. Copy the files to the desired location.

Lots of information on how to create directories and mount a FAT32 partition on this site and the web.

This worked. Thanks!

It also helped that I froze the drive for about a month
...didn't need to, just didn't get around to it. (This drive was dead until then and died again once I got everything off and it got warm.)

You helped me save some treasured photos. Thanks again.

Your welcome, nice to reply back that you were successful in retrieving your files.

Yes, very nice indeed.

Glad to hear this