SOs PC. Getting on a bit now.

Turn it on, gets part way through booting, shows a “this PC was not properly shut down” message and gives options for continuing. As soon as we select any of the options and hit enter it just turns off.

I’m guessing power supply. Any other ideas?

Ta!

try starting from the windows CD if you have one and follow recovery mode instuctions

Anything really important (and not backed up) on there ?

Anything really important

Almost certainly.

(and not backed up)

Backup? Wozzat then?

No windows CD. PC is about 7 years old if that helps at all…

I’d suggest not doing anything until you’ve had the hard drive out and copied it

Contrary to popular stereotype, I’m not even an IT geezer ( 😳 ) so may be being very over cautious

if not booting and no windows disk..

ask someone to download an Ubuntu Live CD (google it ) and burn it onto a CD for you
its free and legal 😀

you will probably be able to start the PC with this and copy files pics and music etc. onto a USB key or similar, then just install Ubuntu and forget about Mi**soft forever! 😉