![Boot device not found - that's not good](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_01_Boot-device-not-found-that-s-not-good_500px.jpg)
![The error message was right, quite literally: the boot device is missing!](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_02_The-error-message-was-right-quite-literally-the-boot-device-is-missing_500px.jpg)
![Connect any harddisk to a computer using the chip and cables from a USB-harddisk enclosure](/blog/2018-10-16_rescuing-files-from-a-broken-harddisk/images/i_04_Connect-any-harddisk-to-a-computer-using-the-chip-and-cables-from-a-USB-harddisk-enclosure_500px.jpg)
![A lease on life: the faulty harddisk connected to my laptop](/blog/2018-10-16_rescuing-files-from-a-broken-harddisk/images/i_07_A-lease-on-life-the-faulty-harddisk-connected-to-my-laptop_500px.jpg)
![Alfa One 802.11b WiFi adapter is recognised by the Debian installer](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_10_Alfa-One-802-11b-WiFi-adapter-is-recognised-by-the-Debian-installer_500px.jpg)
![Dutch is more challenging than many natives realise](/blog/2016-11-21_being-a-volunteer-in-amsterdam-zuidoost/images/i_05_Dutch-is-more-challenging-than-many-natives-realise_500px.jpg)
![Installing Debian involves answering questions like the desired language](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_09_Installing-Debian-involves-answering-questions-like-the-desired-language_500px.png)
![Different activities are organised at the community center](/blog/2016-11-21_being-a-volunteer-in-amsterdam-zuidoost/images/i_04_Different-activities-are-organised-at-the-community-center_500px.jpg)
![Numbers instead of letters: a keyboard feature easily mistaken as malfunctioning if you are unfamilair with Numlock](/blog/2016-11-21_being-a-volunteer-in-amsterdam-zuidoost/images/i_08_Numbers-instead-of-letters-a-keyboard-feature-easily-mistaken-as-malfunctioning-if-you-are-unfamilai_500px.jpg)
![Installing the disk in the laptop](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_04_Installing-the-disk-in-the-laptop_500px.jpg)
![Some of the regular visitors of the weekly computer support sessions](/blog/2016-11-21_being-a-volunteer-in-amsterdam-zuidoost/images/i_06_Some-of-the-regular-visitors-of-the-weekly-computer-support-sessions_500px.jpg)
![The community center is like a cosy living room](/blog/2016-11-21_being-a-volunteer-in-amsterdam-zuidoost/images/i_03_The-community-center-is-like-a-cosy-living-room_500px.jpg)
![The disk is usually fixed using some tiny screws](/blog/2018-10-16_rescuing-files-from-a-broken-harddisk/images/i_03_The-disk-is-usually-fixed-using-some-tiny-screws_500px.jpg)
![Replacement disk](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_03_Replacement-disk_500px.jpg)
![The broken laptop containing precious photos](/blog/2018-10-16_rescuing-files-from-a-broken-harddisk/images/i_00_The-broken-laptop-containing-precious-photos_500px.jpg)
![Detecting the](/blog/2018-10-16_rescuing-files-from-a-broken-harddisk/images/i_05_Detecting-the-USB-Mass-Storage-device-a-sign-of-life-from-the-disk_500px.jpg)
![Downloading Debian](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_07_Downloading-Debian_500px.jpg)
![Replacement disk tucked way inside the laptop](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_05_Replacement-disk-tucked-way-inside-the-laptop_500px.jpg)
Yesterday a young woman brought me her laptop, it didn't start anymore and it only showed an error message. It turned out to be a broken harddisk. It startled her when I told her that all data on the disk was lost. She told me it contained precious photos of her pregnancy and young child. What could I do?
This week a man brought his laptop to the community centre where I help people with computer problems as volunteer. The old laptop wouldn't start anymore and had to be reinstalled. Instead of Windows, I installed a free operating system. I think it is important to tell you how and why I did it.
After realising how lucky I am as an healthy, well educated, young man with a solid income, I wanted to do something for other people as volunteer. It just so happens to be that two years ago I received a flyer in my mailbox from the local community center: they were looking for someone with some knowledge of computers. A very interesting journey was about to begin!