Help....!
 

Is there anyone out there who can recommend someone good who can repair my computer.

Today I did a system restore, which seemed to have worked OK, the machine went through what it had to do...then as it does it restarts....and this is where the problem arose....the consumer box tripped and cut the power off while the computer was doing the restart.
When I had sorted that out the computer came back, but all I have had is a black screen with the cursor.

I have tried the Ctrl,Alt delete....that does nothing....I have pressed the f8 key....again nothing.
I have tried restart in safe mode...but I am running out of ideas.

If there is anyone who has any solution for my problem it will be gratefully received.
Failing that, recommendations for someone who understand these things.....I do not want to send this machine to the graveyard up Whinney Hill.

Thank you in anticipation.

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Sorry Margaret not a clue am useless with this stuff, mick used to sort mine out.

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That's alright Cashy.
I thought it was worth a shout out. Thanks for reading about it....and for adding a response.
Himself just says get the blooming thing replaced.
What he doesn't 'get' is that there is a lot of my design stuff on this machine.....and no!
I have not learned my lesson because it was NOT backed up.
Also a new machine needs repopulating with all the stuff I use.
This desk top is a Dell optiflex 780.
It was a refurbed model and it was not a lot of money. I could replace it like for like for a little over £100.....but I really would like to get this machine fixed....and better still do it myself.
That is a real long shot.

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All this happened because Firefox(who I am losing patience with) did an automatic update and disabled my Adblock plus and privacy badger.
I wanted to take the machine back to before the automatic update.
I wish I had left the damn thing alone now....or found an alternative ad blocker

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I think 1st thing you should do is get your important files copied to another pc, you have access to a working computer Margaret?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Do you know what version of Windows you are using?

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Thank you both for your responses.
I am running on windows 7 professional.
I cannot access any files because although the starting Windows screen does appear briefly, it is soon replaced by the black screen with just the cursor.
I have access to a MacBook and my iPad.
If the machine does prove to be terminal, then I will have to accept the loss of my design files....and just have to do them again.

I really, really should have learned my lesson from the past ...and backed up my files.

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And you're sure pressing F8 isn't bringing up the usual Advanced Boot Options?

It sounds like the Operating system got corrupted when you had the power failure. I've used Use It Computers in Rishton before.

All might not be lost, just because the Operating System isn't working you may still be able to get your files back by removing the hard drive and connecting it to an external hard disk caddy and connecting that to a different computer.

If you've got a Windows 7 disk you might be able to repair it by using that.

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I found this link on how to Repair Windows using the startup repair tool, the most important part is Step 4 you need to click the Repair Computer and not the install now...

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-perf...dows-7-2626170

If you don't feel confident in doing this or don't have a Windows 7 Disk, Use It Computers in Rishton should be able to help.

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Thank you Ryewolf for your comprehensive post.

I do not have the Windows 7 disc....the computer came with it already loaded, but I checked to make sure it was genuine when the machine came(it was a refurbished machine) and I have had my money's worth out of it....5 years or a little more.

I had considered them...and that is probably what will happen.
I looked for the repair option...it did not come up.
I also went into f12 for boot options. (This all makes me sound like I know what I am doing...but I just fly by the seat of my pants)

I figure that if is is well and truly fried, then I am not going to do anymore damage

I tried the f8, but maybe I did not do it for long enough.
I also sought out some fixes on You Tube.....I pride myself on being unflusterable(not sure if there is such a thing...or such a word) but I have to say that yesterday I was flustered.
The power going off was the first thing.....my other half always calls me to sort out such things.

So to come back and find myself with a black screen was the final straw.

It is fate telling me that I should back up my stuff every week. I started out well, but got sloppy.
It is the design stuff that is the biggest loss....and I write personal verses for my cards....there were lots of them on there.
Not that I use the again, but sometimes I use them for inspiration. Ah well
Watch this space

Re: Help....!
 

sorry to hear your problem, if you can't get it sorted try park computers on darwen street
you said you've looked on you tube me too have you seen this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA79gow7IP4

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Thank you Accybeme.
I have not seen this one....I am just screwing up my courage to get to grips with having another shot at recovery.

I am a bit thin on hope right now....and I am getting used to the idea that severe problems require the services of someone who knows what they are doing.....and that is not ME.

If the machine is truly goosed then I will probably take it to Rushton and ask them to have a look at it....if it can be fixed then that will be good, but if not, recovery of files would be the next best option.
That will teach me(or maybe it won't)

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More on this sorry saga.
This morning I have gone into f12....run diagnostics and a short test shows a 'fail' on the hard drive with an error code of 2000-0146...
My machine is currently running the full pre boot assessment. Doing a memory test
I am guessing that this will take some time as it is only at five per cent completed and it has been running for a few minutes.

I am not sure if any of this means anything...but I think it is going to have to be professionally done.

Re: Help....!
 

Given the size of modern drives, diagnostics and repairs can take quite some time.

That error code suggests that it has found previous error logs, NOT that the drive has failed.

You may be able to add the hard drive to another machine as a 2nd drive and take the files you want off of it.

When you try to boot, do you get the BIOS text displayed? (the stuff about what the PC is) or is it just always black?

Does the computer beep? if so how many times?

Do you have a restore partition? this will usually contain the installation data to enable you to restore your installation, this should not affect any existing user files.


Why did the consumer box trip? That suggests that something is faulty.

Re: Help....!
 

Ooh Rainbow six.....well, can I start with the easiest?
The box tripped because of a faulty toaster....now fixed.

It was the 'short test diagnostics' that brought up fail on the hard drive.
Further research shows that what you are saying about error logs is true.

As for adding the hard drive to another machine to take off the files....I do not have a compatible machine....so that would be a job for the IT tech boys at Rishton

Yes I do get the stuff about the computer...the Dell logo and the model comes up....then the blurb about initialising....then it all goes to black and the cursor.

The computer only beeps when I go into f12 boot options.
And yes, the diagnostics is still running.
I do not have(to my knowledge) a restore partition.
I am not sure I would know what to do with it.

All I have is an external hard drive....on which I backed up this machine(well for a long time I did...but then lapsed)

It is looking like a trip to the tech guys is on the cards.
(Unless, of course, you know anything magical that would fix the thing)
Thank you for your helpful response

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I have come to the conclusion that although I do NOT know enough about computers....well, the internal machinations of them.
I have moved on a long way from how it used to be.
In the dim and distant past I would always shout for my daughter when I hit lumps in the computer road.

I am always willing to learn and give it a go.

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When you do take it to them, make is absolutely clear to them that they must NOT wipe the drive or overwrite your design files.

Reinstalling Windows does not require this.

If your hard drive is SATA (most likely is) then you can get a USB drive enclosure to put it into, this can then be plugged into your MAC and accessed to backup your files.

Try watching this first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz9pMKy9Mbs
It may give you some things to check.

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Thank you for your advice.
I would certainly stress that these files should not be overwritten(I have been asked to do some stuff for a wedding in September and all my designs are in a program on the drive...if I can't get them, then I will just have to bite the bullet and do them again when I get sorted with either a new machine or the repaired one).
Thank goodness the wedding is not next week!!

I will have a look at the video and see if I can do anything that it shows.

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Well....that was interesting....but I should tell you Rainbow six....I have only been inside a computer case when I have wanted to destroy the workings....retrieve the hard drives for destruction with an angle grinder.

If it needs the case to be opened then I will be letting the tech guys do that.

And it just underlines how very little I understand the workings.

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I took these screen shots of the screen of my desk top.
I have also been into (f12)boot options and got a screen which confirms it is SATA...but other than that I am no nearer.
So I think the plan to take it to the experts is probably the right one.

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Don't ask me what I did to get this to happen....because I haven't got a clue.

And before anyone tells me that it is NOT fixed until it says it is....this is more than I have previously had.
So keep your fingers crossed for me that the machine fixes whatever was wrong.

One thing is for sure....if I get the system restored, the first thing will be to rescue my design files.....and back the blooming system up!

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Way-hay.....thank you folks for your time, your thoughts and your support....and if you sent healing vibes to my machine....double dog thanks!

I am chuffed to little mint balls

LOOK AT THIS!

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Glad you seem to have got it working again.

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Yabba-dabba-doo fred would be proud of you,

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Yes, I feel a whole lot more relaxed now....and my design files are being added to a memory stick and a Western Digital Black external hard drive as I type this....to be sure to be sure as the Irish washerwoman said.
Thank you for your support...much appreciated.

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Thank you Accybeme.
I am very pleased with myself....I would be even more pleased if I could say how I did it.
I am not a braggart...but could not wait to get over the road to tell my daughter.
She said that she knew I would do it....because she says I am like a terrier...I never let go till it's well and truly dead.
Thank you for your support and your suggestions....all gratefully received.
Don't you just love it when there is a happy ending?

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Yay!
Another suggestion is to get a gmail address and use google drive to store your files.
Let Google provide the backups, access them from anywere.

I'm glad it's going again.

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I am not a fan of google, but I do have Bullguard on my machine and that has a storage facility, so I am going to investigate that....but the most pertinent lesson is to get back into backing up.
Thank you Rainbow six for your help and your suggestions...truly valued.
Right now I am as happy as a pig in an orchard.:D

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Being part of the, 'Never throw anything away' generation I still have a copy of windows 7 pro which you can borrow.
Can meet you in town and let you have it.

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Thank you for your kind offer Less.
I am also part of that brigade.....it is the way we were raised.

I am sorted Less....though I cannot tell you how the fix was accomplished.
So hang onto that Disc and I know who to contact if I get into trouble again.

I have retrieved my design files and have backed up the system to an external hard drive...and while I know this is not foolproof(I have had a back up hard drive fail on me before now) it is the best I can do.
Thank you for your very kind offer...it is much appreciated.

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You can make a system restore disk from Windows 7 itself providing you have a dvd writer in your machine.

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Yes, I have a DVD writer.
That is a damn good idea Ryewolf.
I will do that.
Thank you for the prompt.

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I am not hoping to need to go through all that again, but it makes sense to do what is necessary should it go on the fritz again.

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Done....two recovery discs made.
Back up of all files onto an external hard drive.
Belt and braces should give me some confidence just to be on the safe side.

I hope that some of you have learned from my mishap....but then I guess you are all up to speed on backing up:)

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Nah, dont bother with it myself - after all what's the worse that could happen.

I'd only lose everything :) :) (been there, done that, lost the data!)

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Yes, I have too....three times.....so that should have taught me that there is no substitute for backing up.
Except, I backed up to an external hard drive.
Felt confident that if it was needed, all my files were safely stored.
WRONG....that hard drive failed....it had not occurred to me that this was a possibility.
My system reminds me to back up....Bullguard reminds me to back up.
I just got lazy and sloppy.....and it takes something like this weekend to pull you up sharp.

Re: Help....!
 

welcolm to my world margaret. took me ages to get back on here for a start as i could not pick up emails for a new password till yesterday. how long this will last is anyones guess. what with computers and modernish cars i,m getting ready to give up. wish we were back with getting the pink or green saturday nights sports paper and running my 1947 humber super snipe at times like this.

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For passwords I use lastpass, this means that I only need to remember 1 secure password and then every site I go on I get to use the longest and most secure unique passwords.
Not the name of my cat, dog or firstborn child - but one that is going to take years to hack.

All accessible via any browser or phone\tablet etc.


Which, if the unfortunate happens and my PC goes to the PC graveyard suddenly, I can instantly log into places as my passwords are not stored only locally.

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That was my worry if I had to replace my system.
I am careful over passwords and these days many sites....especially banks have multi layered security.

But getting the thing working was a HUGE relief.
I felt very proud of myself, getting it going(wish I could work out how I had done it though).
It was losing my design program and the projects that are stored in that program that would have been the facer.
I would have had a lot of work to do to catch up.
And I know it is only a hobby....not a business.
When you have promised people hand made cards, you feel honour bound to get them made.

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These are just a few of the projects that would have been lost forever.

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[QUOTE=RainbowSix;1228175]For passwords I use lastpass, this means that I only need to remember 1 secure password and then every site I go on I get to use the longest and most secure unique passwords.

do not go on many sites but accy web is the one i do seem to have trouble with for some reason. wonder if being yorkshire based as anything to do with it.

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Probably, have you enabled the "passport mode" ?? :)