Computer wouldnt start up

[6Antique9]

Hi everyone, Running windows 7 64 bit

My computer was a bit sluggish so I clicked to re start. Usual things happened but it would not start up, Vaio logo just hung. After about ten minutes I switched of at the main, I know its risky but there was no other way that I could see. When I re connected it recommended me to check the reason and went to start-up check. This went on for about half an hour after which it said it could automatically repair the problem and again suggested I let it try restore to an earlier time, which I did. This went on for over an hour and would not let me cancel so I switched off again with the computer button, waited and then switched it on, low and behold it started up and it is obviously running now otherwise I wouldn't be on here. After all that my question is, should I be worried, can I do anything to avoid this happening. I did run Malwarebytes that found nothing and I never paid any ransom.

Regards

 

[EndlessWaves]

It's more likely to be the first signs of hardware failure than a virus, possibly hard drive or memory.

I'd make sure everything is backed up.

 

[6Antique9]

OK, when you say make sure everything is backed up, how does that work, how do I do that and what is the outcome. Will it back up all the programs I have so I would be able to install on another computer. I am loath to buy a new computer because my wife has one with windows ten and I hate it; love windows 7. Being a Sony desk top I don't think It would be financially viable to get it sorted. Can you suggest anything I could do as well.

 

[EndlessWaves]

A backup is additional copies of anything irreplacable such as photographs so that when something happens to them, such as a hard drive failure, you don't lose them.

The simplest way is to just make a manual copy onto an external hard drive or USB stick. Good back-up programs will automate the process and offer additional protection such as keeping older copies of files so any errors not detected immediately like mistakes or corruption are protected against too.

There's lots of choice and windows comes with a back-up program. It got replaced with Windows 8 though and I've never used the Windows 7 one so I don't know how good it is.

Backing up the operating system and programs to quickly get up and running again on a repaired computer is a form of backup called a System Image. I've never bothered with a system image myself because my systems get rather cluttered so I'd rather restore my data to a freshly installed system.

Hard drive and memory tends to be standard so if it is that it's likely to be cheaply replacable even on an otherwise non-standard media centrer or all in one.

If you do end up replacing the machine the Windows 7 is no longer a sensible option as security fixes are scheduled to finish in a couple of years. It's well worth looking into what you don't like about Windows 10 as it may be something easily changed in settings or with third party programs.

 

[6Antique9]

OK. I searched the internet and found how to do that. I made a "Repair Disc Windows 7 64 bit. I have also done backup as you have suggested. I don't really know what it is about windows 10, I suppose its unfamiliarity, perhaps it the way my wife has set hers up but I just can't find anything, I like the start menu on 7 and being able to go to any part through the control panel easily found from the start menu. I just bought Pinnacle Studio 20.5 Ultimate and put it on her computer because it was a higher spec, couldn't use it because the aspect was too large I couldn't get to the OK buttons, even minimizing didn't help. I have to admit I preferred XP over 8 so bought this one from display. I might research the cost of upgrading. I think I just can't bear the thought of setting everything up again, even if I could remember how to do it, you know; things like email, I wouldn't know where to start. I can remember when I bought my first computer it came with a disc that allowed you to return to new, don't get them now. Anyway, thanks for the help, I will hang on until it goes and I don't have a choice.

Regards

 

[EndlessWaves]

I don't really know what it is about windows 10, I suppose its unfamiliarity, perhaps it the way my wife has set hers up but I just can't find anything, I like the start menu on 7 and being able to go to any part through the control panel easily found from the start menu.

The control panel is still in the start menu under the windows system category, you can right click it and choose pin to start to have it shown as a tile on the right side so it's instantly visible.

I just bought Pinnacle Studio 20.5 Ultimate and put it on her computer because it was a higher spec, couldn't use it because the aspect was too large I couldn't get to the OK buttons, even minimizing didn't help.

It sounds like the text size or scaling has been turned up. Windows will warn you if you set the scaling value so that you have below a certain amount of space that a lot of programs treat as the minimum.

But it's ultimately up to individual programs how they reduce themselves in size to fit in less space and how they handle it when there's less space available than they're willing to support.

I have to admit I preferred XP over 8 so bought this one from display. I might research the cost of upgrading. I think I just can't bear the thought of setting everything up again, even if I could remember how to do it, you know; things like email, I wouldn't know where to start.

Most e-mail programs, including the one built into windows, will automatically fill in most of the details for popular e-mail providers so often all you need is your e-mail address and e-mail password.

These days e-mails also tend to get left on the e-mail server so multiple devices can access them (phone, tablet, PC etc.). If your current PC was set up that way it'll even download all your old e-mails automatically.

I can remember when I bought my first computer it came with a disc that allowed you to return to new, don't get them now.

It's called Reset these days and it's built into the operating system (Windows 8 onwards again) rather than dependant on the computer manufacturer.

A machine that originally came with Windows 7 may have some sort of manufacturer restore functionality that you can use by pressing a button during startup but the presence and button varies between manufacturer.

 

[6Antique9]

Wow!!! that covers everything, I might just consider upgrading to a new computer now. Thanks for all your help.

Regards