Computer Help

[Graham C]

Need some help please.

On my PC I have a dodgy USB port - if you plug something in, the computer turns off and won't come back on.  In about half an hour, it seems to be able to turn on and everything has been fine.....in the past.

I've done this twice before and the computer has worked OK both times but now I just use the other ports. Obviously I should have fixed it or taped it over but....

Last night, my daughter plugged something in (I probably should also have mentioned it to my family too), the computer went off but wouldn't restart.  After a few hours of everything being unplugged it did power up but came up with a BIOS error message (something about being corrupted) and it "fixed" it.  Now when I power up I get a black screen (see image)  I'm not sure why it's upside down, it's not on my computer before upload.

Before this screen, the motherboard screen does show and I can enter the BIOS (it's a Gigabyte mobo if that helps?)  I have a Windows disc that if I put in wants to install Windows again.  If I do this, will it format my hard drives?

I have two hard drives, C and D, D has all my files on - are the hard drives likely to be OK still?   Should I unplug the D drive just in case?

What can I do please?  I haven't a clue, I really don't want to lose all my photos etc and promise to do a back up if I get it up and running again.

Thanks in advance.

[Jon MW]

If you can boot from a windows disk you might get your stuff - my general impression is this looks 'pretty bad'.

[Longines]

If it was me I would:

Put Araldite in the dodgy USB port
Download Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop
Burn the dowloaded iso file to a DVD using ImgBurn
Boot the PC from the Ubuntu DVD
Use the File Explorer program in Ubuntu to see if you can read the C and D drives
If you can access them assume they are going to die imminently and copy all photos/files etc. that you can't replace to USB thumb drives
Reboot from the Windows CD and hope that choosing the repair option will avoid the need for a complete reinstall

[Graham C]

Thank you, will try the Ubuntu route.

Fingers crossed.

[dakky]

I would unplug the D drive to avoid any mistakes then boot from the CD and reinstall

[Graham C]

Ta, was going to ask about that.  I take it it's just a case of plugging it back in again when all is working?

Bloody hell, this is a PITA.  Note to self that I must must must sort out some sort of backup device after it's all sorted.

[Graham C]

And

If I install window again on the C drive (or manage to recover/repair it) will the disc be OK or once it's corrupted, is it time to look at replacing it?

thanks again.

[Graham C]

I get errors when I try and run Ubuntu without installing.   This isnt' good is it.

Will reinstall Windows I guess, can't think how I can get around it.

[Graham C]

I think the hard drive (C) is damaged.  I tried to reinstall Windows but it can't find anything to install it on (I unplugged the D Drive)

Will order a new SSD and install Windows on it.

[Longines]

Strange, Ubuntu shouldn't go near the C drive when just running it from DVD.

I'd try another recovery/boot CD. On my phone so can't search but Hirem's CD was the goto source many moons ago.

[Graham C]

Thanks Longines, will have a look from it in the morning, 

[Longines]

http://www.gfi.com/blog/top-5-free-rescue-discs-for-your-sys-admin-toolkit/

I've used 1 and 4 before, 2 looks good as well.

[Graham C]

Great, thanks again Longines.  I'll try no 2 and see how I get on