[GTechWiz]

Yes, we have ALL come to this place where we have done something horribly wrong! Our computer is jacked up! We can't do anything with the PC, other than turn it on...

So what's the next step?

UBUNTU TO THE RESCUE!

You download the ubuntu CD and burn it NOW, before you have this problem, you put in your Ubuntu Live CD and a USB Flash Drive and then you can access the internet from the live CD to solve the problem at none other than, this very web site, WHAT A SUGGESTION!

The Live CD allows you to save files to your flash drive, which can then be used to fix stuff, or possibly burn an ISO (provided you have another CD Drive) Or, GASP, you can just install Ubuntu from the live CD, fixing your problems Once & For ALL!

Now there is an idea...

I'm not trying to be a smarty pantz here, but Ubuntu has saved me MANY TIMES OVER!

Download it here... (burn the iso to a CD!)
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

(Make sure you choose between 32 or 64 bit and desktop or laptop!)


Hope this was helpful to someone out there...

[GTechWiz]

Oh, and I failed to mention, Ubuntu is 100% free!

But wait, there is one other system I forgot to mention....

A Windows live CD! (Also Free!)
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Both are fabulous at helping you FIX your problems!
Without your hard drive working!

[dr911]

Originally Posted by GTechWiz

Oh, and I failed to mention, Ubuntu is 100% free!

But wait, there is one other system I forgot to mention....

A Windows live CD! (Also Free!)
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Both are fabulous at helping you FIX your problems!
Without your hard drive working!

The link above for Windows Live CD IS NOT FREE !!!

Click on FREE Ultimate Boot CD (in the yellow box) takes you to this site:
http://www.spotmau.com/products/pack...FR5Hagod2Vz-sw

NOT FREE.........like $49.95 (US)

[TheOutcaste]

You clicked on the Ad for the Ultimate PC Repair CD. The download link is on the left side, in the Table of Content.

Or you can go here:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Choice of ISO, 7Zip archive, or Zip archive, versions 4.1.0 and 4.1.1

[Stoner]

I prefer the Slax Live CD.
Also free

http://www.slax.org/

[GTechWiz]

Thanks for the tip Stoner!

[1002richards]

#! Crunchbang Lite for me ...

[GTechWiz]

I was reading up on the Distros some, Slax (Free Edition) is NOT for the average user, you have to be very familiar with Linux to use Slax, unlike Ubuntu, #1 Crunchbang actaully is not bad, from what I have read, and while there are many distros of Linux, for most of the people on these boards, Ubuntu will be a better choice, in my professional opinion.

[GTechWiz]

There are numerous boot CDs out there, I would highly recommend you actually have a professional either make you one (as each system is different) or purchase a quality one. While Ultimate Boot CD is free, it will take a major amount of reading to get it to work 100% like it should, AND they have changed it so signifigantly that, you will need a DVD now, bummers!

I might add that, boot CDs are NOT for the inexperienced computer user, as doing things while in the boot CD can actually traumatize windows! (as you can literally delete without windows from stopping you.) So Viruses scanners have FULL power to kill ANY file. (unless it's encrypted or password protected) Even then, it's still possible to kill a file. I recommend you use caution while using any boot CD!

[1002richards]

I'm not a 'professional' but have successfully downloaded, burned to disc and booted from a dozen or more live Linux CDs. Unless one clicks on "install" they do not touch your Windows system, even if one clicks "install" one can easily click " cancel" at any one of the clearly explained stages - in other words don't be put off trying live CDs.
Also as you are running from CD/DVD you are not in Windows so nothing changes in Windows.
No idea what this sentence means (above)
'So Viruses scanners have FULL power to kill ANY file'
as Linux is well known to be much less at risk from viruses -
http://librenix.com/?inode=21

I've had no trouble with Slax either - it's different to Windows to be sure but don't be put off trying the live CD.
Crunchbang was offered on Linux mags as a free trial on a national basis in the UK - so it's mainstream esp as it's based on Ubuntu.
Richard

[Stoner]

I've had no trouble with any of the Live CDs I've tried other than several that didn't have good selections for monitor resolution.

To do repairs on my XP and win2k computers, I'd rather use BartsPE and work within a windows environment. Just easier, imo.
But for some time now, I've put more focus on keeping a relatively upto date drive image to fall back on simply because it's quicker to get up and running rather than spend time doing diagnostic repairs.

Ultimate Boot CD is free, it will take a major amount of reading to get it to work 100% like it should, AND they have changed it so signifigantly that, you will need a DVD now, bummers!

I have burned UBCD to a cd in the past and maneuvered through the menu and seen no impediments. Seemed pretty straight forward to me.
The latest download is ubcd50RC1.iso which is a 271 mb download, so I don't see any reason it has to be burned to a DVD.
http://ubcd.linuxfreedom.com/download.html
Anyway, unless it's an older machine, most recent computers seem to come with a DVD burner. CD writers are a thing of the past for many of us now. Like the floppy drive disappearing.....things change

I might add that, boot CDs are NOT for the inexperienced computer user, as doing things while in the boot CD can actually traumatize windows! (as you can literally delete without windows from stopping you.) So Viruses scanners have FULL power to kill ANY file.

Just noting that a virus scanner running under windows can also delete important files that aren't infected.
Had that happen with AVG killing off my MS Works app. because of a false positive.
And that's why I'm using Avast! currently.