Linux to rescue my windows !
 

I have users in my office who regularly screw up windows xp/vista laptops, despite having anti-virus, service packs etc. installed. I am at my wit's end - solving their issues again and again. But, I have an idea. What if I use a linux boot cd/live distro to boot up their conked off windows laptops - during an emergency ! I will be really thankful if someone can suggest an excellent linux live distro or boot disk ! Please remember - my users must be able to open their ms-office documents (word, excel,ppt) at least for viewing or running them. Is there any linux distro which resembles windows desktop with capability to read ms-office documents too ? Thanks a ton !!

Welcome to LQ!!

On any Linux distro, you can install WINE or CrossOver in order to run Windows programs.

You can boot a computer from a Linux "LiveCD" and then do such things as edit config files or copy documents to another drive**. I don't think you can use Linux to actually boot up a defective Windows system.

**For example, take a look at the Knoppix Live CD: http://www.knoppix.net/

Open Office should be able to deal with .doc, .ppt, .xls files too

+ 1 knoppix.

but any live-usb should be able to open ms-office files as long as open-office is installed.

also consider fedora live-usb.

Look at the top distrowatch distro's almost all offer a live cd. Knoppix used to be king but sadly not as good a repair tool anymore. I currently like Mint 8, anyone ought to be up and running it in no time.

What you may wish to have in your toolbox is a Bart's PE with plugins also. (or VistaPE) Add in drivers too.

See also pendrivelinux.com. It can't hurt to have a few 1g flash drives either non-persistent or with persistent storage.

I'd recommend Hirens' boot disk. See:http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

It will boot into Winblows Vista or XP.

just about any of the LiveCD/DVDs will work as OOo (open office.org) can access all MS Office documents. You might have some issues with excel if it has a lot of macros, but then MS office has issues with excel and lots of macros between vs. too.

Depending on what the users have to do with their laptops (applications outside of MS office) there might be no reason NOT to run Linux full time instead of just as a rescue system.

Unless the users need some kind of propitiatory software that ONLY runs on Windows, then you might want to consider moving them completely to Linux.

Just food for thought.