PC problem, i've broke it.

[stevo as b4]

I don't know what it is a virus maybe? But since I booked a flight and got insurance and wasn't at any time watching filth a couple of weeks ago, I've got a problem with my home PC.

It boots up fine, but I cant click on any of the icons on the task bar thing at the bottom of the screen. Its the bit where it says ''I'm Cortana ask me''.

I cant get to my documents, control panel, or anything like that.
Is there any way of doing a system restore from the Bios screen and would that likely fix the problem?

I've got Webroot virus protection, which has been great so far so I'm not sure what went wrong?

[M.C]

Windows 10... sounds completely normal A friend has had to re-install Win10 twice after losing his taskbar (dunno why he continues to use it).

Boot into safe mode, try a system restore.

[CaNsA]

[Going]

This has happened to me 3 times because of windows 10. Had to re-install each time as nothing else worked.

[Derivative]

I have no idea how Windows 10 works or why one would want to use it.

I can comment on 'virus protection', though.

It is not possible for a virus scanner to actually act as a fool proof system, it can only offer some level of protection against basic threats. Generally they work via binary detection (pattern matching against known bad files) or heuristics (patterns of behaviour that look like things known viruses do). New, custom, or uncommon stuff will fly past it.

I would treat it more like locking your front door. It's a good idea but I can still get in through the window or tunnel underneath the house.

[sinedtomuch]

I'd follow Cansa's advice. Use windows 7 next time, none of this Cortana nonsense.
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Gone: RS125, CBR125, SV650, R6.
Current: CBR1000RR 06.

[stevo as b4]

Hi thanks for all the help and advice.

I've found my old Windows 7 CD and want to re-install it, but I cant figure out how to get rid of Windows 8. I can access control panel by right clicking the Windows home square thing, but all I can see is the Add or remove programs menu.

There isn't an option to delete the whole operating system?
The main problem I've got with Windows 8 is that the bottom task bar does not work and I cant click on any icons to open anything like pictures or my documents etc.

Oh and lastly if I re-install windows 7 will I definitely lose all my pictures I've saved, desktop icons, and favourites etc?

[Derivative]

Back up everything you actually want to keep to an external drive.

There is no option to 'remove' windows 8, the windows 7 installer will format the hard drive as part of the installation.

Put the Windows 7 CD in. Reboot the computer (you may need to change some BIOS settings to get it to boot from the CD). Do a 'custom' install and wipe all of the partitions.

Before you do any of this, download any drivers you might need - the most important one is the wifi/ethernet driver - if it's not included on the W7 installation disc then you'll need to get it from another computer later.

[Andy_Pagin]

Dare I say... Linux
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the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[stevo as b4]

Thanks.

So basically I will have to lose everything on my pc, as I cant access my photo's or even my stuff like a CV.

I've tried a restart with the Windows 7 disc installed in the drive, but it wont run.

I'm happy to pay to have my pc fixed if I can save everything and have it back with windows 7, but it's not worth paying anyone if stuff cant be saved.

An apple mac might be a good future option, but id either want a desktop or a laptop that will last me say 10 years to make it worth the money. My current desktop is Intel 5 quad core, and has 8GB of ram, so it seems a waste to junk it?

[Derivative]

The data is almost certainly still there. You can boot from a Linux USB and get at it that way.

There's probably someone on BCF that would have a look for a fee if they're nearby. I am about 100 miles from you and you're probably better off going to a random laptop shop.

If you have an external drive that is big enough, it's basically a 10 minute job to clone the whole thing (10 mins labour, a few hours of letting the machine do the work)

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

Upgrade to Windows 7 or Linux Mint.

HTH. HAND.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Derivative]

WRT the backup, basically any linux live distro will work fine.

Download ubuntu from the site, bang it on a USB or CD, mount the internal drive and an external hdd (should be doable from the desktop with no terminal jazz required), copy over what you need.

I'd do that as a first step before mucking around with installation of W7. Vista once decided to ignore my partition instructions and it happily overwrote half of my shit.

I'm pretty sure no-one takes backup seriously until the first family photo catastrophe.

[c_dug]

To fix the missing/broken task bar in Windows 10 you can create a new user account, you don't actually ever have to use it, but the act of creating one seems to kick everything back into life on all accounts.

I've had to do the same thing twice now, but it hasn't happened since the second time which was around six months ago.

No need to fresh install, no need to lose everything.

Windows 10 is incredibly buggy mind. Massively regretting upgrading.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[doggone]

[c_dug]

I've had so many bugs/glitches. Windows 7 was miles better.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Fin]

Run the repair software or do a windows update.

I've been using windows 10 since release and the only problem I've had was the UAC which I sorted.

[skatefreak]

Second for Knoppix.
Make a bootable USB, wham it in, mount relevant drive and move anything you want onto an external drive (or create a new partition with gparted and load it on there). Once done, nail with with a new install.

Also works well if windows falls over (corrupted partition, corrupted windows, windows being windows).

[Jayy]

Nothing major has happened since that big update the other week but I have noticed things being glitchy.

I'm due a full format soon, it's been a while so I like to do a refresh... Wonder if I go back to 8.1 and stay on it.

[stevo as b4]

I've had another look at my pc on my day off today, and nothing seems to work.

I'm either sending it back to the manufacturer to see if they can put windows 7 back on, or I'll pay someone locally to do so.

I think I've got some of my stuff saved on external drives now, but am past caring really. I just want to get onto my ITunes account and until it's fixed I cant do that either.

Is there anyone out there who is really excited and happy with their Windows 10? It seems to me that they have made such a screw up and knew full well everyone would be screwed but have no other options other than a MAC, which from what I've read is not the perfect no hassle never give you a problem solution for simple domestic use and people that need few capabilities in their pc.

[Andy_Pagin]

[M.C]

[Derivative]

Linux with a distribution like Ubuntu is trivial to use. I've given relatives Xubuntu loaded laptops and they've had no issues. I actually think it's easier to go from W7 to Xubuntu than to W10 because it works on the same paradigm (no touchscreen wankery).

I dual boot for gaming and that's it. I actually have the opposite of the traditional problem - half of my software isn't on Windows or is worse on Windows.

[doggone]