How-To Geek

Thank you all. when I looked into packard bell files I found there was a recovery built into the system. I selected the option to re install the op system but leave the files ok[they back them up on to the hard drive] , so I didnt need my discs. I have gone right through it, done a system restore, and eureka, it was successfull. I am now in the process of re installing all my programs. we shall probably never know what caused the problem in the first place or indeed when it occurred, but it seems to be ok now. once I have everything back on I shall look into the imaging program from stringy. Thank you very much for your help and input, I have learned a lot in the process. cheers