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Help for a friend



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 4th 17, 11:12 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Alek
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Posts: 619
Default Help for a friend

A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.
  #2  
Old December 4th 17, 11:43 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Alek
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 619
Default Help for a friend

Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

  #3  
Old December 4th 17, 11:46 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Big Al[_5_]
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Posts: 1,588
Default Help for a friend

On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat? Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..
  #4  
Old December 5th 17, 12:07 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default Help for a friend

Big Al wrote:
On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing
worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat?Â*Â* Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed

  #5  
Old December 5th 17, 12:42 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Alek
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 619
Default Help for a friend

Ed Cryer wrote on 12/4/2017 6:07 PM:
Big Al wrote:
On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing
worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat?Â*Â* Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


I wouldn't recommend paying bills with a public computer.

  #6  
Old December 5th 17, 01:34 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Bentot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 25
Default Help for a friend

On Mon, 4 Dec 2017 18:42:24 -0500, Alek
wrote:

Ed Cryer wrote on 12/4/2017 6:07 PM:
Big Al wrote:
On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing
worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat?** Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


I wouldn't recommend paying bills with a public computer.


+1

bentot
  #7  
Old December 5th 17, 02:30 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default Help for a friend

Alek wrote:
Ed Cryer wrote on 12/4/2017 6:07 PM:
Big Al wrote:
On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing
worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat?Â*Â* Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


I wouldn't recommend paying bills with a public computer.


Maybe you're right there.

A tablet running Android can pay your bills. If he has wifi on his
router, then one of these (as backup bill-payer with lots of games to
play in transit, queues and more) will be welcome;
http://www.argos.co.uk/browse/techno...blets/c:30159/

Note the cheapness.

Ed


  #8  
Old December 5th 17, 06:24 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Jonathan N. Little[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,133
Default Help for a friend

Alek wrote:
I wouldn't recommend paying bills with a public computer.


Depends on *which* public computers. The computers I manage for my
county library are all fully patched latest LTS version of Ubuntu, wired
connection, and browser locked down to prevent even the idiot from
saving personal information.

--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com
  #9  
Old December 5th 17, 06:33 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Mike Easter
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Posts: 1,064
Default Help for a friend

Alek wrote:
I wouldn't recommend paying bills with a public computer.


Someone who is performing essential personal business or health related
activities online should have a 'backup'/alternate plan B for what to do
when their computer or its OS or power source or connectivity goes down.



--
Mike Easter
  #10  
Old December 5th 17, 01:21 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
jbm[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 161
Default Help for a friend

On 04/12/2017 23:07, Ed Cryer wrote:


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


You're lucky. Where I live in the UK they start charging you as soon as
you sit down - £1 for every 20 minutes.

jim

  #11  
Old December 5th 17, 10:02 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Bob Henson[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 695
Default Help for a friend

jbm wrote:

On 04/12/2017 23:07, Ed Cryer wrote:


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


You're lucky. Where I live in the UK they start charging you as soon as
you sit down - £1 for every 20 minutes.


Wow! That's steep. In Gloucestershire they're all free one hour slots. You
even get free volunteer computer buddies to help if you're struggling. The
only thing they charge for is printing.


--
Bob
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -
Winston Churchill
  #12  
Old December 5th 17, 02:28 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Ed Cryer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,621
Default Help for a friend

jbm wrote:
On 04/12/2017 23:07, Ed Cryer wrote:


And tell your friend that many public libraries have computer rooms
these days, where you can use one for free.
Our one gives you a 1-hour slot.

Ed


You're lucky. Where I live in the UK they start charging you as soon as
you sit down - £1 for every 20 minutes.

jim


My guess is that that's one of your council's solutions to handle cuts.
Our council has started charging 30GBP per annum to empty green wheelies.

Ed

  #13  
Old December 5th 17, 12:21 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Keith Nuttle
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Posts: 1,844
Default Help for a friend

On 12/4/2017 5:46 PM, Big Al wrote:
On 12/04/2017 05:43 PM, Alek wrote:
Wellllllll, he rebooted one more time and guess what?

Alek wrote on 12/4/2017 5:12 PM:
A dear old friend called me in a panic -- "my computer won't boot".
Windows 10 on an 8-year-old PC.

I walked him though all the repair/restore/reset options and nothing
worked.

Any thoughts as to what is wrong?

Since he needs to pay bills online no later than Thursday, I suggested
he go out and buy a new computer, and set it up for the most important
tasks. And then we can consider getting his files off the old HD onto
the new.

What do you think?

Please, no snarky remarks. We're both 83 y.o. and have lost a few brain
cells. No, he hasn't made any backups although he did copy some files to
thumb drives.

Oh, he lives an hour away and doesn't drive at night. I hardly drive at
all these days.

Thanks.

Heat?Â*Â* Hurry with the new computer and make a backup with Macrium or
such, ASAP!
That's my 2cents..

I would second the motion. Once you start having boot problems the
count down starts for the end of the computer.

I have had several computers that I was able to get through several
"won't boot" episodes but eventually had to replace the computer. The
last one went "POP" during the final attempt.

If he is just using it for email, and online banking he does not need a
high end computer and should be able to get a new one for 3 to 5 hundred
dollars. Since he probably has not done much customization to the OS,
all he needs to worry about is his data files which are mostly stored in
My Documents (Windows OS. For things like Firefox and Thunderbird, if
he backs up each of the profiles for the USER folder, he will not loose
anything. If he is using one of the Mozilla products, he can back up
all of his web settings by copying the Profile for TB and FF to an
external disk.

If he has a limited budget I would also recommend that he get at minimum
of 32 GB thumb drive and back up all of his data files. If he wants he
could buy a 1TB external drive for less that $100 though my guess is he
does not need that much storage space.

A good, easy to use back up program is available at

https://www.2brightsparks.com/downlo...cbackfree.html

Which will work with a thumb drive, or other types of external storage.

Just because the boot sector is bad or corrupted, does not mean that the
disk can not be used. The easiest way to transfer data, is to buy a USB
Disk enclosure for the old disk. The old disk can then be plugged into
the USB port of the new computer and the files copied to his new
computer. I have been using a "failed" laptop drive for years as an
external backup drive

One point, to make a disk image (Macrium) is probably over kill for the
way he uses the computer. With a disk failure, (Improbable in his
lifetime with a new computer, at least at 74 that's the way I see it)
the OS, and All of the programs can be reinstalled either from the
manufacturer website or the installation CD.
If you do a complete re installation you get start fresh with none of
the garage that you have collected over the years and a chance to review
the settings of all of you programs.






--
2017: The year we learn to play the great game of Euchre
  #14  
Old December 5th 17, 12:39 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Big Al[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,588
Default Help for a friend

On 12/04/2017 06:21 PM, Keith Nuttle wrote:
all he needs to worry about is his data files which are mostly stored in
My Documents (Windows OS.Â* For things like Firefox and Thunderbird, if
he backs up each of the profiles for the USER folder, he will not loose
anything.


I just checked my personal folder (only user) and It's like 8Gig.
So yes, A simple 16 or 32G thumb would easily copy that.
And a good number of programs drop config files into that user folder.

And yes, Macrium is only good if the drive is going bad. My overkill.
  #15  
Old December 5th 17, 12:43 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Keith Nuttle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,844
Default Help for a friend Off Topic


One point, to make a disk image (Macrium) is probably over kill for the
way he uses the computer.


As I was writing the above, I was reminded of an old joke.

8 year old Billy comes home from school and ask his Father: "Where did
I come from?"

The Father has been dreading the day that "The Subject" would come up,
but decide to take it straight on, and gave the little boy the whole
lecture on where babies come from, down to the smallest detail.

Billy listens but has trouble staying his father's talk.

After about a half hour of explanation, the Father ask Billy if he has
any questions.

Billy responded: "I just wanted to know where I come from. My friend
Pete comes from Cleveland"


--
2017: The year we learn to play the great game of Euchre
 




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