Computers - Service & Repairs in Fairfax, VA

If you are able to boot into Windows, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee872425.aspx

Take a peek here before seeking out repair shops: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/help-a-disk-read-error-occurred-press-ctrlaltdelete-to-restart/ First thing to do is open the desktop up (assuming desktop since you mentioned that it was self-assembled) and reseat all the connections. Over time, the connections can be loose. If you have the install disk(s), you should be able to run chkdsk or run the repair utility from them. Good luck.

Jason Bohn - I got as far as disassembling the tower (a significant feat in and of itself at least for me) and disconnecting the TWO HDD. THey seemed to be connected just fine, but I will go ahead and re-connect them (e.g. reseat them?) as you suggested. I do not have any software, boot disks, etc. because this PC was a gift from my brother and I knew it was self-assembled, so I really didn't even know where to begin. I have heard of a "Windows 7 System Repair Disk". Is something I could download from MS? However, I can't even get past the BIOS so I don't know what I would do with that? Connecting the HDD to another machine will be difficult as my only other PC is a very old Windows XP machine or a HO Pavillion laptop.

Contact Daryl@(703) 635-4265. He's an expert at all sorts of computer problems, and if you need him to do work, very reasonably priced.