Linux distro to salvage files?

[suburban_me21]

I am unfamiliar with Linux, but Abarbarian recommended I try asking in this forum about using Linux distro to salvage files on a crashed Windows XP Professional system. Here's the synopsis https://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-3232307.php

I've never used Linux before, so what's a Linux distro? How do I use it to salvage one directory of files?

Thanks,

-Dan