Stopcode 'Bad System Config Info'  

"[1] When you Boot the Desktop, are you saying that if you press F2, F10, F12, or whatever the Key Combination is to enter your BIOS or Boot Menu, that it does NOT work?"

No it doesn't appear to work. NB The BIOS is probably quite old, I think this is correct: American Megatrends Inc. F18, 21/08/2012

"[3] Have you tried re-setting the BIOS by removing and replacing the CMOS battery?"

No - I'm leaving that as last resort ! Also, before going down this particular route, I think it best to wait until I hear from the supplier re my tech support query.

- - - Updated - - -

I've received some further suggestions, including:

"To get to the boot menu, while the PC is booting keep pressing F12 and then choose to boot from your USB."

The system is stuck in a loop, trying to read the CD/DVD drive every few seconds. Pressing F12 doesn't stop it.

"It might be worth just popping the Windows DVD in the drive just in case it's searching for something on the DVD."

I haven't got a Windows 10 DVD (only a USB memory stick ISO) - at 8GB the ISO won't fit on my blank DVDs (4.7GB), so I've ordered a pack of Dual Layer DVDs.

Finally, I've tried Hiren's BootCD PE, but the desktop system will not boot/start from the corresponding ISO on a DVD.

Phil - many thanks.

"To access the BIOS Setup program, press the <Delete> key during the POST when the power is turned on."

Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H LGA1155 ATX Motherboard - I saw that in the manual, but unfortunately it doesn't work in my case. (just checked again)

Update: Have just tried the Ultimate Boot CD (5.3.9), but the desktop system will not boot from that either.

Hello @Dave xxx,

Dave xxx said:

Postscript 26 Feb 2021: the Desktop PC has been written off.

A computer technician, like myself, couldn't access the BIOS settings, but, additionally, he could copy the bulk of the personal files on the SSD (solid state drive) to a 64GB memory stick.

Sorry to hear that.

Did he try? . . .

 Linux Live USB/DVD

A Linux Live USB/DVD is a good method of retrieving data from an otherwise un-bootable drive or if you are having other drive difficulties.

Basically . . .

[1] Download the Linux ISO - I always use Linux Mint although there are others available.
[2] Create a Bootable USB/DVD [ media ] using Rufus for example => Rufus.
[3] Boot the media.
[4] Copy the files from the OS to an external HDD/SSD or USB.

> Download Linux Mint 20 Ulyana

I hope this helps.

Hello @Dave xxx,

Dave xxx said:

Not that I'm aware of, but useful to know about, many thanks.

You are VERY welcome.

I have used that [ or similar ] MANY times to retrieve clients data. The advantage is it only has a small impact on the Drive, hopefully giving you enough time to extract the data required.

I hope this helps.