On 10/8/2018 10:53 PM, Brian Kemp wrote:
> I have a Win 7 laptop that had not been used in over a year, so had a
> similar issue.
>
> My first updates would be your anti-virus.
>
> I then ran Windows Update at least 10 times to get it caught up. It
> would do some updates then need a restart. It then found another
> batch and needed another restart....
>
> I'd just plug it in and start running updates. Check every once in a
> while. Perhaps turn off the power saving/sleep so it stays on.
>
> After all these updates, then I'd check your browser if not IE, Adobe
> Flash, and Reader if you have them installed.
It should be noted that, depending upon the length of time the laptop
has been sitting, there was a period when M$oft was sending out some
updates that amounted to malware. There were a series of updates that
installed so-called "compatibility" fixes. These were designed to set
up the computer for an automatic update to Win10, which M$oft did some
time later. There was quite a furor over it, and M$oft backed down...
but, they're still sending out "compatibility" monitors and fixes, most
recently, about three months ago. M$oft says these are to ensure your
version works with later versions, but, frankly, having done this once,
they might be planning to do it again. Unfortunately, if you like or
need the version you have, or need some backward emulation to XP for
some of your software, it means going through the individual updates and
finding the descriptions for each update, looking for those described as
monitoring or upgrading compatibility or seem to be prepping the
computer for Win10, and then delisting and hiding those. Pretty
time-consuming process after a long time without installing updates.
Before you begin updating, you might want to do a quick browse for the
issue, and see if there are still some third-party patches available to
prevent the installation of the critical files. I installed this one:
https://www.grc.com/never10.htm
I didn't need or want Win10 because I don't have any devices with touch
screens, didn't like the desktop, and after some considerable work
getting to that point, have a very stable Win7 installation (meaning, I
can live with one BSOD every 12-18 months or so).
And spend a little time working that "z" key. It might start working
again if the problem is mechanical, rather than electrical. Otherwise,
there are lots of scavenged used keyboards available from the usual
suspects. My son-in-law had an ancient laptop that had a broken charger
receptacle, and after I fixed that, I discovered that the memory was
fried. Fixed the memory, and broke the password to get into it, and
discovered that half the keyboard was inoperative. I pretty much hate
eBay, because they've cost me so much money in cars on which they
wouldn't honor their buyback guarantee, but, you can find keyboards
there for almost anything for $10-20.
Cheers.
--
Michael Porter
Roswell, NM
Never let anyone drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance....
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