I have never had a problem doing a Windows inplace upgrade since W7 as long as I have done a thorough update (drivers, etc), tuneup and virus scan of the current setup. An upgrade is an upgrade NOT a repair.

You should be able to get that from the Acronis web site. But you should be able to just boot Acronis from a USB drive - you do have that right? or DVD if you have one. When you do get it back up and running I am curious how you found my solutions.

I revive these "old" systems all the time. Keep it simple and let the software do the work. Run virus/malware check on entire system - in Safe Mode, if possible. Defrag any HDD's. Then Run DISM to fix Windows Component Store and then SFC to fix Windows System Files. Look up for details. Both of these from the CMD prompt. If you are not familiar with the cmd prompt there are several well established, safe freeware programs to do all this for you. As they are all freeware no one should object to me posting them. :) Before doing all this, as always do a complete image backup of your system drive. * Tweaking.com - Windows Repair v4.13.1 (fixes just about everything * WinaeroTweaker v1.52 (for settings) * WagnardSoft Tools v1.0.2.4 will do just DISM and SFC from its "Repair" Scan and Repair selection * Update all drivers - this can do wonders. Video drivers are notorious and may need complete removal. Check in Device Manager for any yellow exclaimation marks on any device drivers. Uninstalling them there and and rebooting sometimes is enough. * Once all running smoothly run Windows Update. You may have to reset some of your favourite setting after using the above.

Sorry to hear that. Did you not have a full backup backup backup backup - did I say it enough?

The biggest problem I have noticed in machines is too much paste as this reduces the conductivity of the heat. I have found the"credit card" technique results in too much paste. All you are trying to do is fill the micro pits on both the CPU and the heat sink surfaces.

Sound like a good choice.

Yes RAM reseating often works. You haven't mention the first most important thing and that is what do you use it for and neither the second thing what are the specifications - make, model, motherboard, CPU, RAM speed, etc. oh and what operating system? Replacing the hard drive with an SSD always speeds up the older computers.

I like helping people and while doing so attempt to teach them about how to fix things rather than them just passively watching. I also encourage them to ask questions.

This is the best answer. Incidently, I have a 2006 HP/Compaq Pavilion SR1820NX running Windows 7 Pro/XP Pro for old hardware.

Member 12924312 wrote: Kiddie coders and a product of the me-myself-and-I generation. Amen.

Choroid wrote: Take a look at Tape Measures the ones most used by Carpenters Yellow and Black and now they have the little 1/8 marks in RED Perhaps UI design people need a look at how other professions do things Good example!

Just remember Bill Gates wrote IBM DOS for IBM way back. Windows? That seems related doesn't it?

I don't. The key word is artificial - definitely NOT intelligence! The people who support it must be very unaware of themselves and feel quite inferior. It makes me laugh. Maybe AC would be a better name "artificial comedy". AI reminds me of quick sand. The more you struggle with it the deeper you sink. Sorry all but after 35 years in IT that's my view.

For imnportant stuff if it is mainly text I cut and paste. If that does not work I just do a screen capture and run an OCR app.

Well I guess, in all good will, what we said was not obvious to the other. In my experience, W10 requires quite a bit of tuning, unless MS's defaults suit you. Having said that, I find that W10 is the the best job Microsoft has done so far. The annoyances are generally to a minimum.

Hi Cp-Coder, Excuse me. I thought you said clean install which entails reinstalling applications, settings, customising,etc.,as far as I know. Please share your easy process if your are indeed doing a clean install. I'm curious. Have I been unawarely doing all this extra work for the last 30 years?

Clear throat...Read the specs, research, etc before purchasing ANYTHING. Hell, even service manuals are available online. What else can I say.

Clear throat...Read the specs, research, etc before purchasing ANYTHING. Hell, even service manuals are available online. What else can I say.

You are wierd. All that work and then Windows does not really install itself very well.

Awesome! Have you cloned the drive for future?