Who's good with computers?

[Jem]

For a few weeks now, I've been trying to fix my computer. HP laptop 64bit running Windows 10.
It started freezing and when I started to investigate I just got confused.
First I opened Task Manager and my disk was running at 100%. Usually "system" and "widows update module"?...or something like that seemed to be the culprits. I also looked thru my settings and widows kept failing to install.
So I googled....
I've done a disk clean up
A defrag
3 different levels of virus scans, regular, a "deep scan" and a "boot scan" (all clean)
I've used the troubleshooter many times and it only ever says I need to restart....seriously, I've restarted like a hundred times over the last couple weeks
I've tried a system file scan thru the command prompt thing....it kept failing at 44%
I've done a disk check (dskchk /f) - first time if failed because widows was running (duh) so did it again at restart and it worked, but came back with nothing
I've also done each of these steps in safe mode...who knows...just in case.
I've deleted the file contents from....I forget what, but if you were to tell me the name, I'd probably remember.
I've gone into the "services.msg" spot and started or stopped various programs...
I've done a couple other things that I just can't remember right now too.
Oh also...my disk space has PLENTY room left. (6.95 left out of 8)

And now...the last time I tried to do the update, it is now stuck at 0%...it's been almost 3 days...so I'm pretty sure it's stuck and not just slow! LOL!

Anything else I can try or do I need to accept that I'll just have to wipe out windows and re-install? Or perhaps just throw the damn thing out the window?

edit to add...this was the error code from the failed installs 0x800706be

 

[Furballsmom]

Rather than doing anything, can you shut it down all the way down (restarting doesn't clear the memory). Wait for a couple of minutes, boot it back up so it is on (but don't log in), and then just let it sit for a couple hours at least. If you have to, push and hold the power button until the cpu shuts off. This will clear the memory.

Some of these updates are just beasts.

Then when it's functioning again, double-check that it installed all the updates, some of them will remain waiting in the wings, so to speak, and need a bump to get going.

 

[kashmir64]

If it still does the same thing after the turn off/on suggestion, then you may have to restore to a previous date or back to factory settings. I highly suggest backing up anythig you want to save and writing down any saved passwords. It's caught in a loop, maybe a registry loop or something. Have you downloaded anything lately?

 

[heatherwillard0614]

If it still does the same thing after the turn off/on suggestion, then you may have to restore to a previous date or back to factory settings. I highly suggest backing up anythig you want to save and writing down any saved passwords. It's caught in a loop, maybe a registry loop or something. Have you downloaded anything lately?

I was just about to say this

 

[maggie101]

For a few weeks now, I've been trying to fix my computer. HP laptop 64bit running Windows 10.
It started freezing and when I started to investigate I just got confused.
First I opened Task Manager and my disk was running at 100%. Usually "system" and "widows update module"?...or something like that seemed to be the culprits. I also looked thru my settings and widows kept failing to install.
So I googled....
I've done a disk clean up
A defrag
3 different levels of virus scans, regular, a "deep scan" and a "boot scan" (all clean)
I've used the troubleshooter many times and it only ever says I need to restart....seriously, I've restarted like a hundred times over the last couple weeks
I've tried a system file scan thru the command prompt thing....it kept failing at 44%
I've done a disk check (dskchk /f) - first time if failed because widows was running (duh) so did it again at restart and it worked, but came back with nothing
I've also done each of these steps in safe mode...who knows...just in case.
I've deleted the file contents from....I forget what, but if you were to tell me the name, I'd probably remember.
I've gone into the "services.msg" spot and started or stopped various programs...
I've done a couple other things that I just can't remember right now too.
Oh also...my disk space has PLENTY room left. (6.95 left out of 8)

And now...the last time I tried to do the update, it is now stuck at 0%...it's been almost 3 days...so I'm pretty sure it's stuck and not just slow! LOL!

Anything else I can try or do I need to accept that I'll just have to wipe out windows and re-install? Or perhaps just throw the damn thing out the window?

edit to add...this was the error code from the failed installs 0x800706be

First thing my sisters boyfriend would tell me to do is run CCleaner. Then he would help me out by getting on my computer from his house. Doesn't do that anymore but you could try that still works. Of course no internet on it. Just old games
CCleaner
Or try registry first aid

I have windows 95 dos computer

 

[Margret]

You've already done everything I would have suggested, plus a bit more, so I took the liberty of emailing your description of the problem and the actions you've taken to my computer club. I'll let you know what they say when I hear back from them.

I didn't mention either TCS or your handle, just referred to you as "a friend."

Margret

 

[misty8723]

How old is your computer? How much RAM do you have? When my Lenovo was running slow/freezing I decided to upgrade the memory and also replaced the hard drive with an SS drive. That cleared up the problem and it runs great now. It was cheaper than buying a new computer.

 

[Jem]

Rather than doing anything, can you shut it down all the way down (restarting doesn't clear the memory). Wait for a couple of minutes, boot it back up so it is on (but don't log in), and then just let it sit for a couple hours at least. If you have to, push and hold the power button until the cpu shuts off. This will clear the memory.

I've done that too...no dice.
However, I will do a complete shut down this morning when I leave as I haven't done one since the update froze three days ago...the update freezing rather than failing is new so maybe this will do the trick.

If it still does the same thing after the turn off/on suggestion, then you may have to restore to a previous date or back to factory settings. I highly suggest backing up anythig you want to save and writing down any saved passwords. It's caught in a loop, maybe a registry loop or something. Have you downloaded anything lately?

I was waiting to try this...but it seems I may have to. Hopefully a usb stick will have enough memory to save all the stuff I have on my computer...I don't want to have to go out and buy an external hard drive.
And no, I haven't downloaded anything lately.

First thing my sisters boyfriend would tell me to do is run CCleaner. Then he would help me out by getting on my computer from his house

I've hesitated downloading any tools or programs because I just don't know what's good or not. But if CCleaner is a reputable program, I may try this...thanks

You've already done everything I would have suggested, plus a bit more, so I took the liberty of emailing your description of the problem and the actions you've taken to my computer club. I'll let you know what they say when I hear back from them.

Thank you!

How old is your computer? How much RAM do you have?

It's only like 5-6 years old, 8GB with 6.95GB space left.

 

[Margret]

So far all my computer club has to say is that they hope you back up your computer regularly because it's much easier to restore from a backup than to do a clean re-installation. Something always gets missed when you have to start over from scratch.

Margret

 

[susanm9006]

i haven’t had to do a system restore In my new computer but used to on my Windows 7. You can do that in the safe mode and go back to a date before it started acting up.

 

[Kwik]

Expert advice and really nice folks at
BleepingComputers.com I was referred to them by MS tech support years ago for some heavy duty malware issues and also Mozilla ...they helped me when I didn't even know what an address bar is,lol So you dont have to be an IT specialist to talk with them,very patient and kind...... it's all free too

 

[susanm9006]

Windows 10

Search Control Panel for Recovery, and select Recovery > Open System Restore > Next. Choose the restore point related to the problematic app, driver, or update, and then select Next > Finish

 

[Jem]

So far all my computer club has to say is that they hope you back up your computer regularly because it's much easier to restore from a backup than to do a clean re-installation. Something always gets missed when you have to start over from scratch.

Yeah....I never back up my computer...
This is probably going to be my next step.

i haven’t had to do a system restore In my new computer but used to on my Windows 7. You can do that in the safe mode and go back to a date before it started acting up.

And I can do that without backing up any saved documents? I haven't saved anything important on my computer for a while now...

I also just looked and I can't go back to a previous version because the last update on my computer was more than 10 days ago...
So then I looked up how to create my own restore point...and I'm just not comfortable committing to that right now...I'm not sure I even get what I'm supposed to do...


I just tried the "Reset my PC" in the Recovery section of my settings and it won't let me. I pressed "get started" then it says to choose if I want to keep my files or not, so I chose to keep, and then it just said "There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made"

There is an Advanced Startup which takes me to a list of options to help with troubleshooting...here is what my latest google search says about it.

Use Advanced Options on Windows 10 to Repair Windows 10 Issues
By using the 9 ways above, you can easily enter into Advanced Options screen in Windows 10. You can then use the tools in it to troubleshoot and fix your Windows 10 computer problems. You can reset your Windows 10 PC to factory status, perform a system restore to go back to a previous healthy point, boot your computer to Safe Mode, use startup repair to fix Windows 10 startup problems, boot to Command Prompt in Windows 10, etc.

So I'm going to try this and choose the "perform a system restore....." But here's my question....how do I know where the "healthy point" is?

 

[Jem]

So I just tried the system restore from the advanced options thing...the problem, when the list of options popped up for the resore point I wanted, it only went back to the 25th...My issues started way before that.
So now I guess I need to research how to create a restore point...wish me luck on that because I already looked into it and I have no idea what to do.

 

[susanm9006]

made"

There is an Advanced Startup which takes me to a list of options to help with troubleshooting...here is what my latest google search says about it.

Use Advanced Options on Windows 10 to Repair Windows 10 Issues
By using the 9 ways above, you can easily enter into Advanced Options screen in Windows 10. You can then use the tools in it to troubleshoot and fix your Windows 10 computer problems. You can reset your Windows 10 PC to factory status, perform a system restore to go back to a previous healthy point, boot your computer to Safe Mode, use startup repair to fix Windows 10 startup problems, boot to Command Prompt in Windows 10, etc.

So I'm going to try this and choose the "perform a system restore....." But here's my question....how do I know where the "healthy point" is?
[/QUOTE]

Most PC’s automatically create Restore points before any updates or significant changes. If yours just went goofy then try going back to the most recent date before that. You could choose an earlier one of that doesn’t end up working. System restore is a much better option than factory reset because it will preserve all of the files created or existing before the restore date. Factory reset will wipe your PV clean and you will have nothing.

 

[Furballsmom]

really nice folks at

lol, I love the website name ...

anyway, I agree, I honestly think your best bet at this point is to get ahold of the people that Kwik mentioned, or the Geek Squad

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/comput...me/pcmcat748300520360.c?id=pcmcat748300520360

 

[Margret]

Okay, I have now heard back from several people in my computer club.

• One guy said this:

"First I have had this issue and it was caused by Norton Anti Virus. It would get caught doing file scans. It would eventually clear but I had $#!& performance while the scan was going on. This was with XP, so I have no idea about 10, but somethings probably have not changed.

"So first disable virus checking SW, see if the problem goes away. Then backup and replace the hard disk."

• A second guy said that he had a similar problem with his Win 10 machine, because it didn't have the speed to handle downloading the intensive updates from Microsoft, which is why he bought a Win 11 machine.

• And a third guy (the one I believe to be the most knowledgeable about all versions of Windows) said this:

"The error message is an important clue. The error message: 0x800706be means that a system file is having a problem. It can occur with any program that ultimately accesses a system file. But, in many instances it occurs when attempting a Windows update. If that is the problem, the fix involves replacing the system files that handle Windows update. This is tricky because these system files run all the time in background. Before you can replace them, you have to stop them from running. Here is a set of step-by-step instructions for replacing the Windows update system files: Fix: Windows Update Error 0x800706be

I recommend trying the first guy's solution first, as the easiest answer. If that doesn't work, go to the third guy's solution (which is the most likely answer). Buy a new computer only as a last resort.

Margret

 

[kashmir64]

I just recently picked up a 2pack of 64GB(ea) flashdrive from SanDisk at WalMart for under $20.
You might want to get a pack so you have them on hand.

 

[Jem]

I actually tried doing the update with my anti-virus disabled, but it didn't help. I use AVG though, not Norton.
I didn't "replace the hard disk" though...whatever that means.

I'm going to test out the third guy's answer...but as I read thru it, I think that's the one I did right before the updates decided to freeze instead of just fail.

 

[Jem]

Well I just tried to do it and after typing in the first thing...it said it could not complete the task.
I then opened up my update history in settings and it is updating, currently at 20%....so I guess it's not frozen anymore.
So I'm just going to let it do it's thing and hope for the best that it will complete the update.