To start I have to say my PC is 18 years old using windows 7. The computer has had trouble starting recently and starts a repair program (every day) with no success but then it can be started. Before this I had a notice that updates were being loaded (when I shut down in the evening) which surprised me as win 7 is no longer supported, my anti virus and anti malware programs show no attack.

Since two weeks I have the problem that while using it the computer will shut down with the notice 'no cable' it will then start again automatically and can be used normally for an hour or two before the same thing happens, sometimes 3 or 4 times an hour. TOT replaced the modem and I was able to use the computer for 8 hours straight with no problems but the next day the same thing happened. Any ideas?

I've got an idea that no one will agree with: in a large real-time computer they have parity checking (or used to) so that every 1s and 0s word is checked to make sure it has the right number of 1s and 0s.

In the PC computers this doesn't (didn't) happen, so you can lose some digits and funny things start to happen. Windows NT server for example.

The only fix is to reload a clean version of your operating system.

As yours is Win 7 I would say update your computer and Windows.

20 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Any ideas?

 

Break down and buy a new computer.  They're cheap as chips nowadays.  Sooner or later, entropy gets the better of them.  Do it while you're still able to copy your important files and settings over to the new one.

 

Try this: -

 

You can repair Windows 7 and fix corrupt files without a CD/DVD by using the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool and the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM). Here’s how to do it:

Using System File Checker (SFC)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   - Click on the Start menu.
   - Type cmd in the search box.
   - Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Run SFC Command:
   - In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

• sfc /scannow 

1. 
   - This process will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy. It may take some time to complete.
2. Review the Results:
   - After the scan is complete, you will see a message indicating whether any issues were found and if they were fixed.

Using DISM (if SFC fails)

If SFC doesn’t fix the issues, you can use DISM to repair the Windows image.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   - Follow the steps above to open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Run DISM Command:
   - Type the following command and press Enter:

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

1. 
   - This command will check for component store corruption and repair it. It may take some time to complete.
2. Run SFC Again:
   - After DISM has completed its process, it’s a good idea to run the SFC scan again:

• sfc /scannow 

Additional Steps

• Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes installing the latest updates can resolve underlying issues.
• Use System Restore: If you have restore points set up, you can restore your system to a previous state where it was functioning correctly. Access this via Control Panel > System and Security > System > System Protection.

Note

If these methods do not resolve the issues, you may need to consider more advanced recovery options, such as using recovery software or reinstalling Windows 7, which typically requires installation media.

Install some version of Linux. Would work fine on your old computer assuming there's no hardware issues. Try it from a live usb stick to see.

 

Actually, try the live USB stick regardless. You can diagnose the hardware easily from there.

How full is the hard disk? 

How old is the hard disk?

 

My next thought is the capacitors on the system board.

Open the computer case, use a flashlight and inspect the tops of each one for bulging.

This is not unusual in old electronics.

BTW my computer is also 18 yo and I too run Win7 with built in MS anti-virus.

9 minutes ago, howto said:

How full is the hard disk? 

How old is the hard disk?

 

My next thought is the capacitors on the system board.

Open the computer case, use a flashlight and inspect the tops of each one for bulging.

This is not unusual in old electronics.

BTW my computer is also 18 yo and I too run Win7 with built in MS anti-virus.

Thanks for all your help, each of you, but I'm 76 years old and I use a computer like I use a car, I turn a key and it starts, if not I call a mechanic, I'm no techie. I leave well enough alone. I will buy a new computer but I will use my present one until it won't work at all.....it's rather like a women, sometimes nice other times bad tempered but at least it doesn't want my money.

20 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Thanks for all your help, each of you, but I'm 76 years old and I use a computer like I use a car, I turn a key and it starts, if not I call a mechanic, I'm no techie. I leave well enough alone. I will buy a new computer but I will use my present one until it won't work at all.....it's rather like a women, sometimes nice other times bad tempered but at least it doesn't want my money.

18-year-old PC… I guess it’s time for a change.

I’d advise to buy an external HDD and back up your existing files, then buy a new PC (desktop, laptop) and load back your files.

Easy-peasy and cost effective

I agree with the many posters that have suggested a new computer.  Not because it's the easy way out, but because after 18 years, your current computer has served you well, but it is time for an upgrade. 

 

No need for anything expensive.  You will have a much better user experience with even a current base model computer. 

 

Nothing lasts forever.