Computer start-up problems

After I typed the edit code in it shows it's going to install the smartmontools on the system and asks if I want to continue – Y or N – I haven't typed the second code in cause this happened after I hit enter. I'm not really sure I want to install anything on the system

Everything you install is temporary so when you shut down it cant be used again because it was gone as it is store on a RAM disk.

press Y then Enter to continue.

Once again as reassurance nothing that is being installed is permanent.

After I typed Y and hit enter it took me to Postfix configuration that asks to select mail server configuration –

Let me clarify

after running

sudo apt-get install smartmontools

You pressed Y then Enter.

And it asked you about you about postfix setup?

Just about mail server configuration type ( and I have no idea how to proceed) but one thing I do see now is that over in the other box the SMART status is green and says disk has a few bad sectors

Open a new terminal window by performing the following keyboard shortcut:
Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + T

In that window, copy and paste the following code.

smartctl -t long /dev/sda

Note: This will take some time

With the investigation that has taken place, I see that the startup issues you are encountering maybe be caused by the following:
Bad Hard Drive sectors which may have caused;
Corrupted startup files or drivers
We were also able to determine this issue made using the repair option contained within the installation inaccessible.

Here are the options you have for repairing this issue:
– Attempt an automated StartUp Repair
– Did your computer come with a recovery partition? If so this operation can be done from that partition.
– Do you have access to the recovery disk set for this system? If so this operation can be done from there as well.

– Attempt a repair installation
– For this operation we would need a Windows Vista installation disk.
– Please note that with this method all service packs would have to be re-installed if your installation disk does not come with the service packs that you may have installed.

– Format and attempt full installation

– Purchase a new HD and attempt a fresh full installation

Do you have everything you may have wanted on the problem machine backed up?

If not, would you like to perform a backup?

Thank You so much Doug!

The fact that still even to now there has been no HD diagnostics run is bothering me. This needs to be done to determine if we are dealing with a failing hd.

smartctl -t long /dev/sda (Surface and Extended SMART Self Test) That is the command and smartctl is the application the will be doing the diagnostics

Just about mail server configuration type ( and I have no idea how to proceed) but one thing I do see now is that over in the other box the SMART status is green and says disk has a few bad sectors

This here tells me we are dealing with a failing drive issue. That being said the fact is running a chkdsk /r from the command prompt will mark these sectors as bad and keep any future data from being written to the bad areas. This is in no way a fix but only a temporary work around. I highly suggest you start looking at a replacement drive before this one becomes unbootable or loss of data becomes even more serious.

What do you think would be the best thing to do next? (also keep in mind I do not have any experience dealing with hardware issues) Thanks again

Okay – that makes sense - are they easy to find? ie computer store etc? And what exactly am I looking for?

The decision is yours on what size capacity of hard drive you would want but i would suggest not going smaller then what you have now. You will have to remind me if this is a desktop or laptop again. Do you have a OS installation cd that cam ewith your system or is this a branded factory installation?

It's a desktop and I'm pretty sure it was branded factory installation, but not 100% sure. Will a layperson like me be able to replace it without too much trouble? Also will I lose what is there (data) or be able to recover? ETA: unfortunately nothings backed up

First lets try to get the data saved you want by using a Linux live cd. Imabrokedue has posted instructions for Ubuntu and I am including another set of instructions to try to get your data backed up.



Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-lucid-pup…e-from-windows/
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click [external image: Posted Image] BurnCDCC
• Click Browse [external image: Posted Image] and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
• Click Start [external image: Posted Image]
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
• Click OK

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
• Press F10 to save and exit
• Agree with "Y" to continue
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  [external image: Posted Image]

3. Recover Your Data

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.
  
  3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop. [external image: Posted Image]
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!



[external image: Posted Image]

If you're doing this to recover from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc…) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.