[Closed] Can I have some IT help please?

Can I suggest you back up the important stuff on the laptop before you go poking under the hood.

Ahh...

Unless it has been encrypted then the next thing I would do is to take the hard drive out, stick it in a usb caddy and copy all the files that need backed up before it goes really pear shaped

johndoh

Can I suggest you back up the important stuff on the laptop before you go poking under the hood.

Ahh…

Yeah, I just ran a standard scan, I didn't go poking really... eeek.

I also don't have a USB caddy - obviously - I'm here begging for help, (nervous laugh)...

What version of Windows is it running? If you have another Windows machine, you can make a Win10 USB installation disk here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

That should repair a Win10 installation. If you are running Win7 or Win8, it should upgrade them to Win10, but you might end up wiping the existing data if you're not careful or unlucky. It will ask for a serial number. The Win7 or Win8 serial number should be on a sticker on the machine somewhere. That will work for Win10.

Vista.

Yes, Vista.

I also don’t have a USB caddy – obviously – I’m here begging for help,

Open the machine, see what sort of caddy you need, order it.  It is very likely you will get off with an in place repair of Windows but if it goes wrong you will look back and regret not doing this.

If it's vista then it is likely the hard drive has a sata interface. In that case if you have a desktop around there is probably a spare data connection inside that you could plug the drive into to get the data off

Apologies for terrible image quality:

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If it's Vista era it probably has a CD drive. I'd download an image of 'Hiren’s Boot CD' and burn it to CD, then boot the problem machine from that. You'll probably be able to read the files on the hard disk and save them to USB, and since it's running Linux the Windows malware won't stop you.

Don't repeat don't try and repair that disk without recovering photos etc in either a caddy or 2nd sata port of a desktop PC. Caddies £7.99 from Amazon.

A repair may go well, it may not. It's already unhappy don't make it worse.

Edit
As above a Linux boot disk is a good idea.

It's hard to know quite where to begin with this, but two questions:

1) What's the spec of the laptop? My daily driver is a Vista-era laptop now running W10 but it's been upgraded to the limit of what I can realistically do without selling a kidney.

2) Does she have backups of data / do you care sufficiently to worry about it if she's daft enough not to?

Vista is like three years past end-of-life and that means no more security updates ever, so even if you fix it this problem will continually reoccur. You either want to be looking to flatten it and install Windows 10 (so you'll need a W7/8.1/10 licence key) or cut your losses on a laptop that's over a decade old and owes you nowt and throw it in the bin.

Speaking as someone who once took a failure to be able to disinfect an infected machine as a personal slight, I would absolutely categorically not be trying to repair that installation. Get the data off if you really can be arsed (USB > SATA 2.5" converter cable) then burn it for an OS written in the last decade.

I would strongly recommend trying a Linux-on-a-USB-stick before you break the screwdrivers out. You should be able to have, for example, Ubuntu up and running in a few minutes, connect to your wifi and get the image files off.

There's also a lesson here about anti-virus software...

Sorry, I've just seen the photos comment, I missed that.

Having done this since the early 90s I'm at a point in life where if you haven't taken a backup in 12 years then sorry, it can't be recovered, you're an idiot, treat this as an important lesson in life.

If you're feeling charitable, data recovery is trivial in this instance, you need a USB / SATA cable as I just said.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digiflex-SATA-Adapter-Cable-Hard/dp/B004JO1Z52
https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-SATA-Adapter-Cable-Drives-en-GB-SATA-USB-3-0-converter/dp/B01N2JIQR7

As above a Linux boot disk is a good idea.

Formatting the disk and installing Linux might be about the best thing you could do with this. Ubuntu 20.04 was released this week.

Thanks for the advice all - have a new external hard drive on the way as mine is full and I've also just noticed my old laptop (Win 7) has some stuff not backed up, so hopefully can recover sister's stuff to that.

I have Linux/Ubuntu written to a flash drive now and heave learned a lot these past 24 hours... Will not be attempting any Windows repairs, but MIGHT try and boot it from that flash drive and get image files off once the new hard drive arrives, if I'm feeling brave.

Booting a linux image is usually pretty painless. You can run it in memory without wiping anything, just to try it out - and once it's booted up you can just plug in a different USB stick and copy the photos.

Obviously read any messages it pops up. Ubuntu won't delete anything without warning you first, but if you don't bother to read the warning and just click "OK"...

I've just booted my own laptop using the 'Try Ubuntu' option without installing - seems fairly straight forward and I've located all my own docs. Actually quite like the interface and apparent simplicity!

Will wait for external hard drive to turn up and give the wounded machine a go.

A local IT guy (actually an ex teacher of mine) will recover the photos, wipe the laptop and install Win 10 for £90 (seems reasonable), but as it's on its knees and the battery is shagged anyway, I figure I'll give it a go first. If I'm successful with the recovery I might just try installing a fresh OS. I was only meant to be getting it functioning so my nephew could do some school work...

Don't install Ubuntu. It's crap. Get Xubuntu instead. More privacy, gui is lighter on resources.

And put antivirus on it! You can even get free AV with antiransomware these days.

Don’t install Ubuntu. It’s crap.

Of course it is.

Anyway OP. If you've got someone to do a fresh install I'd go with {whatever version of Linux you want} and see how it goes.
My money is on sticking with Linux and saving the £90... I've got a number of PC's running Mint or Ubuntu and it's great for most requirements.

What is the current wisdom on antivirus then?

I'll probably be upgrading my own laptop from Win 7 to Win 10 later...

Just use the built in windows stuff.
Upgrade guide for win 10

Linux is ok. I was pleasantly surprised when the version I tried sorted itself out very well on my old Samsung, but it wasn't really any faster, and didn't give any advantages over the 10 install I had on there as far as I could see.
Useful for running from the usb stick in this situation though.

A note of caution for all you keen Linux types. The laptop is to be used for schoolwork by the nephew.

@core you may want to check what the lad needs to access online and the format any work needs to be submitted in. Be aware that there's likely to be some toys out of the pram if you unilaterally install Linux and a free Office clone as he won't be the same as his mates! (I have the t-shirt, yes. It's still rankles 16 years later with my daughter that I gave her something all the cool kids weren't using!)

sharkbait

Anyway OP. If you’ve got someone to do a fresh install I’d go with {whatever version of Linux you want} and see how it goes.
My money is on sticking with Linux and saving the £90… I’ve got a number of PC’s running Mint or Ubuntu and it’s great for most requirements.

Thanks for your input, external hard drive has arrived, will try the linux boot this afternoon and if successful look at wiping the laptop and just installing Ubuntu as she'll only be using it for very basic tasks.

Check what she wants on it, remember that most people here giving advice are somewhat techy, and Linux can blow some people's minds as it can be a little more convoluted/counter intuitive compared to Microsoft if that's what she's used to.

If that's the case then by installing linux/open office (or whatever the current flavour of office is for linux) you are opening yourself up to a lifetime of linux tech support.

My go-to for old laptops that I never want to see again is maxing the RAM in them, whacking in an SSD and installing Win10 using a cheap grey market reseller key - no additional antivirus required, windows defender does the job, along with a reminder not to blindly click "yes" to every box that pops up.

I’ve just booted my own laptop using the ‘Try Ubuntu’ option without installing – seems fairly straight forward and I’ve located all my own docs. Actually quite like the interface and apparent simplicity!

Nice, just copy those docs over and you're good to go. Normally I'd say you should give Ubuntu a go, but if you need the computer for school work I'd suggest sticking to Windows. If you've already recovered the documents and only need your local IT guy to install Windows it should cost considerably less that £90. (Or you could just do it yourself, if you can install Ubuntu off a USB you can certainly manage the exact same process with Windows 10).

To clarify, there are 2no. laptops here:

1) My sister's ancient (approx 15yr old) Dell running Windows Vista which I've effectively knackered Windows on. Battery is dead, has to be plugged in.

2) My own 12 year old Packard bell running Windows 7 which is OK generally, with the exception of MS Office, which works in a fashion.

I downloaded the Linux/Ubuntu ISO file to my own laptop, then wrote it to a flash drive, trialed this on my own laptop first by changing boot order in the BIOS. This went well, could see all my files etc. Have now managed to access sister's laptop using the same and all her docs are in the process of transferring to the new external hard drive.

So, thank you STW, crisis averted!

My own laptop is updating, then will install Windows 10, I have the original Windows 7 product key off the bottom. That is fully backed up already.

Just to decide what I do with Sister's Dell - it really only needs to perform basic functions, access the web, create the odd text document. I see that Libre Office Writer lets you save in docx. format. Nephew is only 7 - and not precious about 'stuff' or having the latest crap so I don't have any concerns about his reaction. Options for Windows upgrade seem limited without a product key...

What is the current wisdom on antivirus then?

Don't bother.

For Windows 10, the built-in Windows Defender is perfectly adequate. Linux doesn't need it except in very specific cases of which you are not one.

My go-to for old laptops that I never want to see again is maxing the RAM in them, whacking in an SSD and installing Win10 using a cheap grey market reseller key

Absolutely - with the caveat that a Windows 7 key will also work and he already has one of those - IF if's a half-decent spec to begin with. Otherwise it's throwing good money after bad, which is why I asked the question up there. 👆

As I've mentioned before my main laptop is a 2008 model originally running Vista, it's now running Windows 10 just fine but I've added an SSD, doubled the RAM and installed the biggest CPU it'll support. I SSDed and W10ed another Vista-era laptop recently and it's absolutely toilet.

Nephew is only 7 – and not precious about ‘stuff’ or having the latest crap so I don’t have any concerns about his reaction.

TBH, a bit of Linux exposure might not be a bad thing for him.

Options for Windows upgrade seem limited without a product key…

If your laptop is 12 years old, one would assume that you already have a Windows 7 key from when you installed it on there.

If it came with W7 preinstalled then a) look at the sticker on the bottom / underneath the battery and b) it's not 12 years old unless you own a very special edition De Lorean.

my main laptop is a 2008 model originally running Vista, it’s now running Windows 10 just fine but I’ve added an SSD, doubled the RAM and installed the biggest CPU it’ll support.

But it's still using the original keyboard!

🙂

But it’s still using the original keyboard!

It's not actually - the keyboard failed and was replaced under warranty.

That's an interesting point though, I hadn't really considered just how much of a Trigger's Broom it is. I've swapped the HDD with an SSD; added a second HDD; had the keyboard replaced; changed the top half of the case when the hinges went; fitted a new CPU; and replaced the PSU. I lied about the RAM though, I've just checked back on the invoice as I couldn't remember.

It's not as bad as the mini-tower acting as a server though. I think the only original component is the case and optical drive. Oh, and the floppy drive... (-:

You don't need the 7 product key to do the in place upgrade to win 10.
Do make sure the bios is as up to date as it can be before you do the upgrade though.
Once the in place upgrade is done, and the system registered (happens automatically but you can check it), if you want to you can level the thing at that point and do a fresh install of 10.

CougarIf it came with W7 preinstalled then a) look at the sticker on the bottom / underneath the battery and b) it’s not 12 years old unless you own a very special edition De Lorean.

My laptop must be 11 years old then, Windows 7 was released in 2009 google tells me, which is about right, I bought it while I was doing my HND anyway, and that started Sep 2008. I do have the key from the sticker on the bottom.

Sister has given permission for a wipe and fresh install of Linux/Ubuntu on her laptop, wish me luck... I mean I've recovered all her stuff that she hadn't backed up anyway, and saved her £90!

You don’t need the 7 product key to do the in place upgrade to win 10.

You do if you're coming from Vista, there is no direct upgrade option to W10.

I do have the key from the sticker on the bottom.

Honestly then, if you're flattening it anyway it's probably worth at least trying a W10 install to see how it performs. If you then wind up wiping it again for Linux you've not lost anything other than a couple of hours of your time.

Do I have to ask you for the spec a third time? Or a google-able model number.

During the installation you'll be given the option of dual booting either the existing windows installation or Ubuntu at boot time - just in case you want to keep it.

Sister's laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1525 - Flatten & standalone Ubuntu install in progress. That was the one with the knackered Vista. SPEC

My laptop is a Packard Bell Easynote TJ65. Windows 7 - which is stuck at update 12 of 91 it found, and will shortly also be getting flattened and a new OS installed I think! SPEC

Holy thread resurrection - just to update those that helped, and for anyone finding themselves in a similar situation in the future - all worked perfectly, sister and nephew now conversant with Ubuntu and enjoying it, no issues encountered so far.

Thanks all.

I missed your earlier reply. Glad you're sorted.

Sister’s laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1525 – Flatten & standalone Ubuntu install in progress. That was the one with the knackered Vista. SPEC

There's different specs there. If it's a Core 2 Duo model with say 3GB of RAM or more I'd probably have chanced W10. Anything lower and I'd have done exactly what you did.

My laptop is a Packard Bell Easynote TJ65. Windows 7 – which is stuck at update 12 of 91 it found, and will shortly also be getting flattened and a new OS installed I think! SPEC

Assuming it doesn't already have one, throw an SSD in it instead and install W10 to that. a) it'll be the best fifty quid you'll ever spend on it in terms of performance boost and b) it gives you a convenient roll-back if something goes wrong or you suddenly realise there's something on the old install that you needed.

If it’s a Core 2 Duo model with say 3GB of RAM or more I’d probably have chanced W10

I've got one of those, it's fine with W10. A little leisurely with its responses at times...

Glad you got sorted 👍
I've actually just added Ubuntu 20.4 as a dual boot with Mint on a micro pc we've got in the house.

Quite different to Mint but maybe nicer.