Have finally managed to get into the recovery console. I have got a a place where I am asked which Windows installation I would like to log into but I am being asked to enter an administrator password. I am not aware that I ever created a password and if I did have no idea what it could be, so I pressed enter. I now have the screen C:|WINDOWS> What should I enter here?

Thanks again.

I thought that was probably what I was supposed to enter! However, as I was unable to get into the recovery console the way you suggested (think my CD drive is being temperamental but thankfully the DVD drive read the Windows CD)I got in by some other way (can't remember now) and eventually got to the prompt screen. However, because I was unsure I decided to close down and got the boot screen again - I had heard the CD whirring so thought I would try again to boot via last known working configuration, and something must have happened, because it worked! Now using my own computer and not my daughter's laptop to write this.

I am wondering if it was something to do with McAfee CleanLite that caused the data damage. I uninstalled McAfee years ago as it slowed my computer down so much and I use Avast as my anti-virus, but for some reason the Clean Lite part wouldn't uninstall. When given the option to delete during the Disk Clean-up process, I had the Windows option or the McAfee option, which is the one I choose. I think I will steer clear of that as I did notice it seemed to have problems with some of the files.

Thanks for your help as it got me there in a 'roundabout' way - have had your help before and always sorted the problem out in the end!

But since my computer is now 8 1/2 years old (even though I have changed the HD and added RAM) I think it is time to speed up the search for a new one!