how to recover ntfs files from unbootable partition?

Hello, I'm hoping to get some help with this. My windows partition won't load because of a missing "autochk" file, which causes an immediate fatal error just after the XP splash screen.

I have been working with ntfsprogs, and seem to be able to mount /dev/sda1 to /mnt/windows, and I can browse in the ubuntu/gnome disks manager, but I can't retrieve any of the files. Any help is greaty appreciated.

Retrieve to where? If you're using a live disk then you have a read/only filesystem. If your PC has a CD/DVD burner and a second cd rom installed you might be lucky and be able to brun the ntfs files to disk using KIIIB. Another option would be to use a USB drive and copy the file there. Describe your setup a little more and explain how/where you are trying to copy the files.