Posted on 09/09/2019 4:02:58 AM PDT by Windflier
Help!
I have a three week old HP laptop that was working beautifully until the Microsoft update on 27 August 2019. Since then my browser tabs have been crashing repeatedly throughout every session, and periodically, the computer crashes too.
I'm a simple user with just enough savvy to post here and build simple websites. I don't have the skills to sort this out, and need some help, please.
I've already tried doing a system restore to an earlier date, but the computer keeps crashing before it completes. I've run CCleaner and Malwarebytes too many times to count. I've sent countless crash reports to Mozilla and Microsoft, to no avail.
I even uninstalled Ghostery and AdBlock Plus, thinking that they might be the culprits, but no joy with that, either.
Is anyone else on the board having similar issues? Do any of you have a suggestion as to how I can fix this?
Before you go there, I realize that Linux is one solution, but I'm too old and sick (with cancer) to rise to the challenge of that learning curve right now. I just want the damn thing to work like it did when I first set it up three weeks ago.
Coincidentally, I bought this computer to replace another clinically insane HP laptop!
Hi Windflier, sorry to hear that you’re having troubles with your PC. You’ve been getting good advice from daniel1212 and I’m reluctant to muddy up the works with another voice shouting instructions at you.
Please forgive me in advance if any of these questions seem redundant.
Is your user profile the only one in use on your machine?
(If so I heartily advise you to create a second account with admin rights that you can use for troubleshooting).
I see that you suggest an update installation on 27 August 2019 as the trigger event for your troubles. What update was installed on that date? Was it the only thing installed?
Did you roll back (uninstall) that update? Was that the only thing you uninstalled?
Have you installed any other programs/utilities/updates since then? Have you complied a list of these programs? (Trying to focus in on what may be wrong through the process of elimination).
Have you run any diagnostics to rule out hardware issues? (HP makes a diagnostics program that you can download and install here: https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html)
Have you tried testing your browsers in safe mode? (Here are instructions for Firefox: https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Firefox-in-Safe-Mode - here is for Internet Explorer: https://www.mysysadmintips.com/windows/simple-how-tos/164-run-internet-explorer-in-safe-mode-without-add-ons) This wouldn’t be a permanent solution or even a workaround but could help troubleshooting)
Best of luck Windflier!
Linux Mint Cinnamon
Thanks. So the computer only crashes if a browser (any browser) is running?
More diagnostic work is needed. Are there any yellow marks in Device manager (Run devmgmt.msc)? While it sounds like a hardware issue relative to the OS demands, if you can, it may be worth it to check out what is using the most CPU cycles and memory, and how much is available but invoking the Task Manager (hold down Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys together). Click on the title on the top of the column to toggle btwn the highest vs. lowest usage.
Also, checking out what programs start with your OS may be helpful, by running the safe and esteemed AutoRuns .
I've been using both of those products for well over a decade. I've run both til I'm blue in the face. No bueno.
I just remembered - Malwarebytes has hung up on some kind of error the last couple of times I tried using it. I'll try it again now.
Go to task manager and see if there is something running that is using up all your system resources.
Have you gone here yet?
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/laptops
Firefox had tab crashing trouble a few versions ago , but it’s all right now , over ,LOL
interesting info here, might offer clues.
Ironically, I was told if I stayed with Windows 7, my browsers would eventually stop working which is why I don’t update Windows and rarely update my browser.
If this did not coincide with the Windows update then this would most likely indicate a hardware problem, with the hard drive or memory being the most likely suspects, but which show show up in Event Viewer.
Back to the update, which updates are listed under Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features > Installed Updates (Run appwiz.cpl and on the left top, hit View installed updates).
I’m running Windows 7. I’m thinking that when I get their final set of updates I’ll do an image backup and not go to Windows 10.
My thinking is that I will never need to do the things Windows 10 offers beyond Windows 7, and I’m thinking that if I get a virus I’ll just restore from the image backup which I took earlier.
I’ve had very little trouble with viruses and other forms of attack over the years.
You can undo the last Win 10 update.
Have you tried uninstalling the last update, while in Safe mode. It is possible that something that may not run in Safe mode is what is running in the background, and crashing the system, when you have tried to uninstall the last update.
Is there anyway you can take this back to where you bought it?
If you bought it three weeks ago, then it’s probably under a 30 day or more warranty. If a big box store, they might just give you a new replacement.
I don’t think most places, if honest, will expect you as a novice user, to fix complex software issues on a new computer they sold you.
Sometimes, a hardware issue can manifest as a software issue. These kind of things are very difficult to fix, and replacement is probably the better solution.
“Try setting up a new partition on your hard drive and run Windows 7 until they fix 10.”
Huh? Windows 10 works fine on my two computers. Windows 10 was released 4 years ago. :-)
Downloaded it, now it won't launch.
I think I'm done for today. Nothing's working and my nerves are frayed. No more.
any anti-virus software installed?
uninstall it..
Dax, did you not read my opening post?
I'm sick with cancer, and don't have the stamina or fortitude to learn a new operating system now.
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