Ubuntu Linux is handy. That’s true even if you swear by Windows. In fact, experts liken it to a digital Swiss Army Knife. Best part: it’s completely free of cost.
All you need is an ISO file from the site, a flash drive as well as a program to install the distro to the flash drive called Universal USB Installer.
That said, here are 3 things that you can use Ubuntu for to fix your computer:
#1: Recover files from a dysfunctional hard drive
You can recover files from a hard drive that is failing or even if Windows is itself corrupted while the drive is fine. When you run Ubuntu Linux from a flash drive or a CD, you can access your files on Windows by going to the drive that it is installed on. Now, connect another flash drive to your computer and move the important files that you might need.
#2: Test your RAM
With the popular memtest86+ which tests your memory and is built-in, this program will write data to your system and read it back so as to check whether it’s correct or not. In the case where the data returned is different, some of your RAM sticks should be replaced.
To access it, you’ll have to select it at boot by repeatedly pressing Escape. Once you’re in the hidden boot menu, select ‘Test Memory’.
#3: Check your hard drive’s health
Estimate the health of your hard drive. With the SMART hard drive status system, it keeps you alert to a possible crash. Click the Ubuntu icon, and search for ‘Disk Utility’ and hit Enter. Select the Windows drive and check its health. Also click the SMART Data button to perform more tests as well.