Computer not booting up properly

[seahermit]

Correction. I don't know why I said "Bookmarks bar", that works OK and also the Bookmarks list. But half of my desktop-shortcuts to websites no longer work when I click onto them - I get a message to say that there is something wrong with my MS Profile (I never created one!).

[Richard]

You can 'undo' a windows update and prevent further ones:

https://www.dummies.com/computers/pcs/u ... ws-update/

[UncleB]

Hello Seahermit, it sounds like you probably need to rebuild the computer with the issues you are having - there are a few red flags here that make me suspect your primary hard disk may have issues and this has snowballed to impacting other parts of your installation.

Do you have a solid state disk? If it is an older style mechanical hard disk then this is well worth the upgrade. Depending on your hardware, you may be able to add it as another drive and simply install Windows from scratch, leaving your old config intact in case you need to go back to it.

Let me know if you need installation media should this appeal.

[seahermit]

Thanks very much again. Before the Windows update I had almost no problems, bar the faltering Sky connection. Now, there are so many problems that I cannot list them all. I have to think carefully about how to approach this, because there are many possible issues and I simply don't have the time (or the skill) to spend hours working through it all.

I bought the Acer desktop in 2016 and there have been intermittent problems with the broadband connection ever since and several arguments with Sky. Last December I rashly signed up to another 18-month contract – big mistake! The connection is currently disappearing EVERY evening, making very difficult much of what I do on the computer, including keeping in touch with this forum. I want to do more travelling and if the connection went in the middle of researching/booking hotels and travel tickets, it could be disastrous.

It seems very unlikely that Sky will ever do anything, so I don't have much choice but to look at other solutions. I will probably ditch the broadband (I never use the landline) and the desktop PC and instead buy another laptop - this would not be connected to the internet and would merely allow me to continue with my writing, as well as to safely store all my work and my photos. I do much prefer a big monitor etc. but greatly resent paying Sky a lot of money per month for something which doesn't work properly. I know there are fibre connections but I am now very wary of expensive promises which may not be fulfilled!

My Samsung phone (on O2) is excellent and fast for the internet, but I may also get a tablet (on some kind of short-term tariff) - if one network doesn't work well, I will simply move to another. It is incredible to me how, whilst every other country in Europe has invested in reliable and fast internet and how (with the right equipment) you can get internet in the middle of the desert, I cannot get a connection to the telephone exchange just two miles down the road!

The other major problem from the beginning has been these Windows updates. Every one seems to cause some difficulties for a few days and this last "new version of Windows 10" has upset everything. Switching to an unconnected laptop would avoid that disruption and also heavily reduce the security risks. As a non-techie, I don’t understand why MS has to update the op. system so frequently which seems to create as many problems as it solves.

It would be easier if I could have found a trustworthy guy to pop in for an hour when I had computer problems, but people don’t seem to be willing (or to have the time) to do things that way these days – most of the computer-help ads seem to be from companies, likely to be quite expensive.

Sorry, long way round of answering the comments. At present, I am engaged in safely storing all my writing and other important documents, then I may well ditch the whole computer – quick and easy solution, I cannot face the hassle of weeks spent sorting it all out (maybe) and then waiting for the next Windows update.

(I don't have a solid state disk - a hard drive with 2 TB. But I think the main difficulty currently is pinpointing exactly where the trouble lies - difficult!).

[Richard]

I repeat:

You can 'undo' a windows update and prevent further ones:

https://www.dummies.com/computers/pcs/u ... ws-update/

[seahermit]

Thanks Richard. But not so simple!

My understanding is that the Windows updates are necessary, for security etc. However, if I use a device which is not connected to the internet, that would negate the need for constant Windows updates .. and all the hassle which follows.

That last Windows update said that it could not be reversed, since it was a new version of Windows. Even if the update could be reversed, I am not convinced that all the problems would suddenly disappear .. and what about the next update after that?!

Also, I am still looking for someone to tell me why, when I can get internet instantly and fast on my Samsung phone (like now), my wired broadband connection is hopeless for a whole week. That is why it seems to me that the only solution may be some form of mobile broadband + Wi-fi on a tablet, or maybe a laptop.

Sorry if I seem downbeat about it, but I have had 4 years of the broadband connection intermittently failing and now the worst mess on this computer I have ever had. Had enough of it and trying to go back to simpler alternative ways.

[Richard]

Ditch 'Sky' and try another broadband provider.

I don't understand that you are being told that the latest update was a new version of windows.
There is no newer version than Widows 10.

If you can get into Windows, follow these steps to roll back an update:

Press Win+I to open the Settings app.
Choose Update and Security.
Click the Update History link.
Click the Uninstall Updates link.
Choose the update you want to undo.
Click the Uninstall button that appears on the toolbar.

[seahermit]

Thanks Richard. For now, I have largely given up using the PC, since very little works and it is difficult to even access Task Manager and see what is going on.

The connection problem is of course down to the antiquated phone lines etc. - up to BT OpenReach to sort out, but they won't, nor will Sky press them. They would rather push you towards the more expensive fibre networks.

My terminology at fault. The update was not a new version of Windows 10, just a revised, patched up one. MS sent me a message to say that after 10 days it could not be reversed.

I tried Win + I and several other Windows shortcuts - nothing, the computer dead as a door nail! I also tried to uninstall my Dropbox app, since that no longer works either - it was impossible to remove it and, to upload some new files, I had to log-in to the Dropbox website - took ten minutes instead of instantly.

Been researching tablets. My O2 smartphone has been extremely reliable, so it seems to make sense to get a tablet which works on Wifi and also 4G (not many of those!) - I could even switch my O2 SIM over to a tablet, tho it's better to keep the devices separate in case of more failures.

[seahermit]

Thanks very much for all the comments. I will work away at the various approaches, but in the end the computer will probably need a thorough checkover from someone. Severely impedes many of my activities for now.

I am pessimistic about any resolution of the connection outages, nobody seems to have much luck with getting providers to change things, the only way is to try a different way of getting internet. And from what I can gather, it is unlikely that Sky will allow me to end the contract - they might possibly accept a lump payment of what is outstanding.

It is because of problems like this that I will never sign a mobile contract again - just a big rip-off, a rolling monthly bundle gives me ample data and total control ..

[Richard]

I do not understand why anyone would want to pay for a computer check up, or whatever, possibly costing a lot of money, which may not be satisfactory at all, when they can buy a cheap computer, with Win 10 installed, and plenty of memory, on eBay for under a £100.
Just load any saved files back on and start again.
Why hang on to a liability when you can start again, for little cost, with an uncluttered machine?
I don't get it.

Connection outages should not happen, well I had those with Talk Talk, who are pretty dire and are prone to over-charge.
But 'Post Office' broadband seems stable and reliable.