As a one-time IT admin, I know the importance of stocking your toolbox with the right tools. You just never know when you're going to need to, say, wipe out a nasty malware infection or recover an accidentally deleted file.

And don't forget the PC that suddenly won't boot. That's one sure-fire way to turn a normally even-keeled end user into a panicky mess. "My data! My data!"

In the following video, TechRepublic's Bill Detweiler rounds up five free utilities that can help recover data from just about any system--even one that's running a Mac or Linux OS. In fact, as it happens, all five tools are Linux-based. Take a look:

I'm glad to note that many of these tools can be run from a flash drive--without a doubt the IT admin's mobile-rescue media of choice--but at least one, F-Secure Rescue CD, does require a CD (and, consequently, an optical drive, meaning it's not the ideal choice for a non-booting netbook).

On the downside, all five tools limit you to data recovery and, in some cases, partition management. If you're trying to troubleshoot a Windows-specific issue, like a problematic MBR or malware infection, these tools won't help.

Have you found a different system-recovery utlility you like better? If so, is it a freebie like all of these? Name your favorite(s) in the comments.