Desktop computer compromised, running slow, not updating. Please can you help?

50Twuncle

Simple answer (depending on what you are using your PC for)
Try UBUNTU - Its much quicker, safer (virtually virus free), and free !!

redmandarin

Hi,

It's been 6 days since I began trying to fix this problem, with the machine on and off intemittently at first, then switched on continuously for the last 2+1/2 days.

There doesn't seem to have been much progress overnight, as windows is still saying installing.

Have I just got to leave it switched on and connected to the internet for the forseable future, in the hope it works itself out?

Money is tight and I need to find work. My CV history is on the hard drive, and I need to access it (and other stuff) to be able to find a job!

Sorry if I sound a little impatient!

NiftyDigits

redmandarin wrote: »

Hi,

It's been 6 days since I began trying to fix this problem, with the machine on and off intemittently at first, then switched on continuously for the last 2+1/2 days.

There doesn't seem to have been much progress overnight, as windows is still saying installing.

Have I just got to leave it switched on and connected to the internet for the forseable future, in the hope it works itself out?

Money is tight and I need to find work. My CV history is on the hard drive, and I need to access it (and other stuff) to be able to find a job!

Sorry if I sound a little impatient!

Post #25......

redmandarin

Hi, I hope it didn't sound as though I'm complaining - you've all been of fantastic help and I'm really grateful!

It's just that I'm a bit fed up waiting for the machine to 'settle down!'

Thanks Nifty! Sorry I have no idea what a service tag is or where it's located?

50Twuncle

I would say that if your PC was going to install all the updates without any user intervention - it would have done by now

Change the CMOS battery - although your main problem is other than that.
So try a reboot and then update again


Failing that (and I would recommend this anyway) - copy all of your vital data off it (USB stick or external HDD) and try a rebuild from the rebuild partition (as long as that remains) - your word docs etc will all be readable using freeware (such as Openoffice) - your emails, although not as straightforward will all be openable using freeware ..
What type of files do you have ?
Word docs / MP3's / Spreadsheets / Emails / they will all open on freeware ....

NiftyDigits

redmandarin wrote: »

Hi, I hope it didn't sound as though I'm complaining - you've all been of fantastic help and I'm really grateful!

It's just that I'm a bit fed up waiting for the machine to 'settle down!'

Thanks Nifty! Sorry I have no idea what a service tag is or where it's located?

Look here or here

As suggested, create a copy of your important data in the case of running a clean install of Windows XP.

closed

redmandarin wrote: »

Hi,

It's been 6 days since I began trying to fix this problem, with the machine on and off intemittently at first, then switched on continuously for the last 2+1/2 days.

There doesn't seem to have been much progress overnight, as windows is still saying installing.

Sorry if I sound a little impatient!

You had the answer 7 minutes after starting the thread ... backup, factory restore, 10 minutes effort.

NiftyDigits

redmandarin wrote: »

I'd need to replace various software inc Windows XP, Office, Outlook/hotmail.

It's been 6 hours since Windows updating stopped at 49%! It doesn't seem likely to resume any time soon. Is it ok/safe to switch the machine off and on again to see if it continues with the download?

Outlook is bundled with Office and Hotmail is Webmail. A Windows XP disc for DELL is easy to find.

redmandarin

closed wrote: »

You had the answer 7 minutes after starting the thread ... backup, factory restore, 10 minutes effort.

Aww sorry, I suppose it'd be obvious to you techie's what I should do next, but unfortunately not to a less savvy user!

I've been given so many useful (but often differing) options that I was unsure exactly which bit of advice to implement next!

closed

turn off windows updates in control panel, and backup