My Laptop going crazy.

[swissie]

My laptop going crazy. For example: More and more it happens when I want to sart-up the screen remains black. Then I have to "kill" the pointless procedure by pressing the "on" button. After a second start-up after 10 seconds the start up is successful.

 

Also; By clicking on the "return arrow" (upper left of the screen), it brings me back not to the previous site but to the 2nd previous site.

 

Crazy! My laptop tells me that his name is "ASUS". 4 years old. Not sure if that is of any importance.

 

[CharlieH]

It could be any number of issues, but as "kill" forces a restart, it could be pointing at your hard drive not booting correctly.

 

You might also want to check your "start up" apps and see if there is anything there that shouldnt be or doesnt need to be started at start=up slowing or interfering.

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

It might be some Windows Updates. 

 

Let it run for an hour and see what happens. 

[IsaanT]

1. Startup Issue: Screen Remains Black

• Possible Causes:

  • Hardware: The laptop might have a failing hard drive, a defective display, or an issue with the motherboard or GPU.
  • Power Management: Incorrect sleep or hibernate settings can cause the display to fail during startup.
  • Software: Corrupted system files or a buggy update.

• Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Hard Reset: Turn off the laptop, unplug it, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to drain any residual power.
  2. Check External Display: Connect an external monitor to see if the display is working. If it works, the issue is with the laptop’s screen.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: If the startup fails, repeatedly press F8 (or Shift + F8 on some laptops) during boot to access Safe Mode. This can help diagnose if software is the culprit.
  4. Run a Startup Repair:
     • Boot into Windows Recovery by holding Shift while clicking "Restart."
     • Navigate to Advanced Options > Startup Repair and let Windows attempt repairs.
  5. Update Drivers: Update the GPU and chipset drivers via the manufacturer’s website.
  6. Test the Hard Drive: Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo or built-in diagnostics to check for failing sectors.

2. Browser "Back Arrow" Issue

• Possible Causes:

  • Browser Cache or Cookies: Corrupted data may cause unusual behavior.
  • Browser Extensions: A problematic extension might be interfering with navigation.
  • Input Device Issue: If the mouse or trackpad double-clicks unintentionally, it could jump back multiple pages.

• Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Clear Browser Cache:
     • Open the browser settings.
     • Clear browsing data, ensuring "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are selected.
  2. Disable Extensions:
     • Temporarily disable all extensions to see if the problem resolves.
  3. Test Another Browser:
     • Try using a different browser to determine if the issue is browser-specific.
  4. Check Input Devices:
     • Test the mouse or trackpad to ensure it isn’t causing accidental double clicks. On Windows, you can adjust double-click speed in Control Panel > Mouse Settings.
  5. Reset the Browser:
     • In browser settings, reset to default configurations.
  6. Update the Browser:
     • Ensure the browser is up-to-date, as bugs are often fixed in newer versions.

3. General Suggestions

• Check for Updates: Ensure the operating system and all drivers are up-to-date.
• Run Diagnostics:
  • On Windows laptops, you can use tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic or the manufacturer's built-in diagnostics (accessible via the BIOS/UEFI).
• Consider Malware: Run a full scan using a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool (e.g., Malwarebytes).
• Backup Important Files: If the hardware is failing, ensure critical data is backed up to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Reinstall the Operating System: If the issues persist and hardware checks out, consider a clean OS reinstall.

 

If these steps don’t resolve the problems, the laptop may need professional servicing. It could be suffering from deeper hardware issues like a failing hard drive, RAM, or a motherboard fault.

[iLuvThai]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:29 PM, swissie said:

More and more it happens when I want to sart-up the screen remains black

When you are done working on your laptop do you shut it down completely or just put it to sleep mode? 

I ask because we were having issues with our work laptop and my employer told us just put it to sleep instead of re-booting everyday. It's been working fine and that's what I've been doing with mine since then. I only restart it when it's downloaded updates. 

 

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:29 PM, swissie said:

My laptop going crazy.

That's not as bad as my running nose.

[Pdavies99]

I would suggest a full download copy of your files to another portable usb etc, the effect a reboot.

 

It sounds like your hard drive is on the way out though.

[scottiejohn]

2 hours ago, iLuvThai said:

When you are done working on your laptop do you shut it down completely or just put it to sleep mode? 

I ask because we were having issues with our work laptop and my employer told us just put it to sleep instead of re-booting everyday. It's been working fine and that's what I've been doing with mine since then. I only restart it when it's downloaded updates. 

 

 

 

You should shut it down overnight!

All computers should also be "restarted" rather than switched OFF then ON about once per week.

What's the Difference Between Restarting and Shutting Down My Computer? | HowStuffWorks

[mrfill]

Most likely culprit - a terrible operating system.

[0ffshore360]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:29 PM, swissie said:

My laptop going crazy. For example: More and more it happens when I want to sart-up the screen remains black. Then I have to "kill" the pointless procedure by pressing the "on" button. After a second start-up after 10 seconds the start up is successful.

 

Also; By clicking on the "return arrow" (upper left of the screen), it brings me back not to the previous site but to the 2nd previous site.

 

Crazy! My laptop tells me that his name is "ASUS". 4 years old. Not sure if that is of any importance.

 

Running Win !! ?

Dump it !

[OneManShow]

Save important files on an external drive, reset your laptop to factory condition. If you still have an issue buy a new one or if you are not sure what the problem is just take it to a shop for estimate. 

[swissie]

On 1/27/2025 at 5:52 AM, IsaanT said:

1. Startup Issue: Screen Remains Black

• Possible Causes:

  • Hardware: The laptop might have a failing hard drive, a defective display, or an issue with the motherboard or GPU.
  • Power Management: Incorrect sleep or hibernate settings can cause the display to fail during startup.
  • Software: Corrupted system files or a buggy update.

• Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Hard Reset: Turn off the laptop, unplug it, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to drain any residual power.
  2. Check External Display: Connect an external monitor to see if the display is working. If it works, the issue is with the laptop’s screen.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: If the startup fails, repeatedly press F8 (or Shift + F8 on some laptops) during boot to access Safe Mode. This can help diagnose if software is the culprit.
  4. Run a Startup Repair:
     • Boot into Windows Recovery by holding Shift while clicking "Restart."
     • Navigate to Advanced Options > Startup Repair and let Windows attempt repairs.
  5. Update Drivers: Update the GPU and chipset drivers via the manufacturer’s website.
  6. Test the Hard Drive: Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo or built-in diagnostics to check for failing sectors.

2. Browser "Back Arrow" Issue

• Possible Causes:

  • Browser Cache or Cookies: Corrupted data may cause unusual behavior.
  • Browser Extensions: A problematic extension might be interfering with navigation.
  • Input Device Issue: If the mouse or trackpad double-clicks unintentionally, it could jump back multiple pages.

• Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Clear Browser Cache:
     • Open the browser settings.
     • Clear browsing data, ensuring "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are selected.
  2. Disable Extensions:
     • Temporarily disable all extensions to see if the problem resolves.
  3. Test Another Browser:
     • Try using a different browser to determine if the issue is browser-specific.
  4. Check Input Devices:
     • Test the mouse or trackpad to ensure it isn’t causing accidental double clicks. On Windows, you can adjust double-click speed in Control Panel > Mouse Settings.
  5. Reset the Browser:
     • In browser settings, reset to default configurations.
  6. Update the Browser:
     • Ensure the browser is up-to-date, as bugs are often fixed in newer versions.

3. General Suggestions

• Check for Updates: Ensure the operating system and all drivers are up-to-date.
• Run Diagnostics:
  • On Windows laptops, you can use tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic or the manufacturer's built-in diagnostics (accessible via the BIOS/UEFI).
• Consider Malware: Run a full scan using a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool (e.g., Malwarebytes).
• Backup Important Files: If the hardware is failing, ensure critical data is backed up to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Reinstall the Operating System: If the issues persist and hardware checks out, consider a clean OS reinstall.

 

If these steps don’t resolve the problems, the laptop may need professional servicing. It could be suffering from deeper hardware issues like a failing hard drive, RAM, or a motherboard fault.

Thanks a million. Very comprehensive. Will go thru it step by step. If that doesn't remedy the problem, I will buy a new apparatus and throw this one out the window.

 

 

[GypsyT]

On 1/27/2025 at 11:52 AM, IsaanT said:

Reinstall the Operating System: If the issues persist and hardware checks out, consider a clean OS reinstall.

How do you do that now days?

I don't have any docs from Windows...

I bought my laptop from store, everything installed. No codes etc came with it.

[IsaanT]

Yes, you can do a clean Windows OS install on a PC without the original disks by following these steps:

Option 1: Use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool (Recommended)

If your PC has a valid Windows license, you can download the OS for free.

Steps:

1. Get a USB Flash Drive (at least 8GB).
2. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool
   • Go to Microsoft's official website: Download Windows
   • Choose the correct Windows version (Windows 10/11).
3. Create a Bootable USB Drive
   • Run the tool and select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)".
   • Follow the prompts to create the bootable USB.
4. Boot from the USB Drive
   • Plug the USB into your PC and restart it.
   • Enter BIOS/UEFI (press F2, F12, DEL, or ESC, depending on the manufacturer).
   • Set the USB drive as the first boot device.
5. Install Windows
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to do a clean install.

Option 2: Use Windows Reset (If Windows is Still Installed)

If Windows is still installed and functioning, you can reset it to a fresh install.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Click "Reset this PC".
3. Choose "Remove everything" for a full clean install.

Option 3: Use a Third-Party ISO (If Needed)

If you need an older Windows version (XP, 7, 8), you can:

• Search for official ISOs from Microsoft or tech forums.
• Create a bootable USB using Rufus.

 

Things to Consider

You don’t need the original disks—just a valid Windows license key.
If your PC came with Windows 10/11 preinstalled, the key is stored in the BIOS.
Drivers may need to be reinstalled manually after a clean install.

 

[rickudon]

I have an ASUS. For me, that problem happened if you allowed it to go into sleep mode for a long time. When you try to wake it up, all you got was a blank screen. Had to play with the sleep settings but fixed it eventually (about 3 years ago, so no details).

[GypsyT]

5 hours ago, IsaanT said:

Option 2: Use Windows Reset (If Windows is Still Installed)

If Windows is still installed and functioning, you can reset it to a fresh install.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Click "Reset this PC".
3. Choose "Remove everything" for a full clean install.

Thank you! I guess this is what I should do. My HP Elitebook is acting up now and then.

BUT; #3 is SO scary to do...

- What about all my files? My whole life is inside...

 

[GypsyT]

On 1/27/2025 at 8:05 PM, mrfill said:

Most likely culprit - a terrible operating system.

I agree! And the name is Win11.

I never had so many problems with older versions.

Happy to read Win11 will be The Last Win version. Windows is Kaput for ever.

[connda]

Back up your data files. Suggest using a third-party backup tool EaseUS Free and select the default common user data files - do not copy system files.

Reinstall your operating system to whichever version of Windows you use.
Reinstall your software.
Restore your user data.

Bob's your uncle - well, unless you have hardware issues.  You'll probably figure out if it's a hardware problem while doing a clean install of your operating system.
 

[connda]

On 1/30/2025 at 9:52 PM, GypsyT said:

Thank you! I guess this is what I should do. My HP Elitebook is acting up now and then.

BUT; #3 is SO scary to do...

- What about all my files? My whole life is inside...

 

If you don't learn enough about computers to back up your data - well, honestly?  You deserve to lose it. Good lord - educate yourself.
I keep both file backups and disk/partition images of both my operating system and my data.  Multiple copies.  And you don't.  Don't cry when you lose it all. 

If my computer crashed and burned, it would take me less than an hour to restore my system on new hardware. And I mean a computer restored to the state of my last disk image with my operating system and all of my data.
I can't fathom you people who don't back up your data, no less your operating systems.

[connda]

19 minutes ago, connda said:

If you don't learn enough about computers to back up your data - well, honestly?  You deserve to lose it. Good lord - educate yourself.
I keep both file backups and disk/partition images of both my operating system and my data.  Multiple copies.  And you don't.  Don't cry when you lose it all. 

If my computer crashed and burned, it would take me less than an hour to restore my system on new hardware.  I can't fathom you people who don't back up your data.

Let me expound on that. If you don't have a second computer (you should imho) then you need to make and keep a minimum of the following:
Backup software like Macrium or EaseUS. (free versions work fine)  Learn to make both disk images and backup of files. You do this before your computer has problems.
A 1TB or preferably a 2TB external USB hard drive to put you backup data and disk images on.
A copy of Rufus USB creation software (free)
A USB bootable Windows installation USB thumb drive with whatever version of Windows you use (can be made with Rufus)
A USB bootable Window-2-Go "Windows Live" USB thumb drive with whatever version of Windows you use (can be made with Rufus)
A USB "Rescue Disk" for your backup software so you can quickly restore your system on new hardware if your computer or your harddrive/SSD blow up.

Then educate yourself on how to backup and restore your system, and do a "clean install" of your OS.  This is why I recommend keeping a second computer - it gives you a computer to use to educate yourself in backup and restores and system configuration and installs, and it give you a backup system so that when your primary computer crashes you still have a computer to work with.

[connda]

On 1/30/2025 at 4:32 PM, IsaanT said:

If your PC came with Windows 10/11 preinstalled, the key is stored in the BIOS.

The first thing you should do if your PC came with Windows 10/11 preinstalled? 

Reinstall a "clean" copy of Windows as you have no idea what malware the vendor installed on your system.  A fool and his data are soon parted...and your money too!

 

"I don't know how to do that!"

"Well learn!"

[GypsyT]

Thank you!

I do have 4 other laptops and WD external drive as back up. Plus a few USB sticks with most important data.

it's just so much work to reorganize all if sheeet hits the fan. It has happened 4 or 5 times during 20 yrs.

 

I no longer am interested in "latest hi tech". I have brain power to do all but why bother? When Internet was born I did and managed my own web sites etc. But it's so boooooring...

I don't even use SmartPhone - they are so stupid. Battery life? There ain't any. I use 20 yr old analog NOKIAs. No tracking. No BS.

At various airports they get helper to fill out forms - VIP treatment 🙂 for free. The last one was in Manila.

 

[watchcat]

On 1/29/2025 at 5:30 PM, swissie said:

Thanks a million. Very comprehensive. Will go thru it step by step. If that doesn't remedy the problem, I will buy a new apparatus and throw this one out the window.

 

 

 

Before you do that, I'd recommend to try make a new installation.

[Centigrade32]

On 1/30/2025 at 9:56 AM, GypsyT said:

I agree! And the name is Win11.

I never had so many problems with older versions.

Happy to read Win11 will be The Last Win version. Windows is Kaput for ever.

 

So this is what they meant by Ignorance is bliss.