[geeks] ntfs repair advice/help needed

[Sandwich Maker]

problem #1: a machine whose hd is starting to throw bad blocks.  one
or more have landed in windows files and now it won't boot.  i have
backups but none recent, so getting it backup-able is desireable.  i
don't have a windows disk to try repair mode with; it came preloaded.

problem #2: the backup drive also is unhealthy.  i can see the ntfs
part on another windows pc but i can't go into any of the directories
or look at files and one directory is missing, and it doesn't show up
as properly mounted, so i can't unmount prior to removing.  i think
this is more of a software issue though, as i can look at files on a
mac, which mounts ntfs read-only, and i successfully backed the mac
up to the hfs part on the drive.

i looked for tools and found...  too many.  anyone have any experience
and/or recommendations to help separate the wheat from the chaff?

i'm also in the market for an external drive enclosure, 3.5" pata with
usb 2 and firewire.  the one i have - from a company that shockingly
has vanished from the internet - has gone tango uniform.  any help in
locating a replacement is appreciated.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh at an.bradford.ma.us                       and think what none thought