Plastic Nev

If you clean installed from a Microsoft disk, you will need to find the motherboard drivers to get the LAN working along with maybe some other peripheral stuff. If you know either the complete model make and number of either the whole computer, or if a self built computer the motherboard model and number if you don't have the drivers disk, you should be able to download the drivers from the manufacturers website. Any problems with that, let us know the make and model numbers as above and we may be able to help find the correct drivers for you. Nev.

Considering both keyboard and mouse work OK while in Ubuntu, which of course proves they are OK, then something has become corrupted in the Windows 10 itself. It may be best to try the restart from scratch and at least get Windows 7 running OK. Nev.

Just to explain policy, the need to create more than five genuine posts before the PM system can be used was introduced to try and prevent spammers registering, and then sending spam via PM to all the members. In genuine cases such as this, that can be over ridden. Hope everyone understands. Nev.

Just to clarify things, the SSD drive is still connected as well as the 1TB HDD? If so, disconnect the new 1TB HDD temporarily and see if it will boot and the keyboard and mouse work OK with that out of circuit. If everything does work OK, then I can only assume that the Linux Ubuntu on the HDD is interfering with things. If wanting to keep that Linux on, you will have to set it up as a dual boot system with what is called a grub loader which can get a bit complicated. Let us know what you find and if wanting to keep Linux on board as well as Windows. Nev.

How did you transfer the operating system from the original drive to the new one and which sort of cloning software did you use? Are you sure the operating system of Windows 10 did transfer correctly?

Good to hear all is OK now, even if it did mean the expense of a repair or at least a new battery. I will mark this as solved. Nev.

Hi George, this could be that the paging file, sometimes called virtual memory, setting might have gone adrift. To save some typing someone has done it for me LOL. Have a look here and maybe print off the instructions. https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/set-virtual-memory-paging-default.html However, when you get to number 7 check and make sure it has a tick in the box for "Automatically manage paging file size", If so the system will manage everything itself, if not do change it to that by putting a tick in the box. If it is already set to the "Automatically manage paging file size" yet you are still having a problem, try the rest of the instructions for manually setting it. Nev.

Considering most modern mice use sealed microswitches, you won't be able to get at the contacts themselves, however you might find gunk between the mouse button and the switch. Otherwise it will most likely be the flat blade spring inside the microswitch has cracked or even broken altogether. I have changed dozens of them where slightly larger versions were fitted to machines. Broken blade or leaf spring inside them is quite common once you wreck the casing to look. Nev.

If you can connect the drive to the laptop externally via a USB port, (You can obtain SATA adapters or a caddy) you can at least rescue the data. There are also a few small programs, one is called "Magical Jellybean, which might be able to find the Windows 7 product key, though not sure if it can work on an externally connected drive. Here is a link to download the free key finder. https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ Nev.

Hi Jim, to change button function on your mouse, open control panel and look for "Mouse", that will give you the properties box and you can swap which button does what in there. (Being left handed I always swap it) Let us know if it works or not, if still a problem after changing the buttons we may be looking at a malware problem. Nev.

Hi, make a note of that old password as well as the new one which you have reset. Microsoft can sometimes be a bit slow at recognising the new password. That means the old password might work yet for a short time, then it won't and you will need the new password. Nev.

Another new one, or at least new to me! I don't have a paypal account, so I was suspicious straight away. This is an E mail to be deleted or forwarded to Paypals own security people.. DO NOT click on any link in it. I have coloured blue the words that are a link. (Not a link now though) [TABLE=align: center] [TR=class: userDetails] Thank you for choosing PayPal ! Your order number is 33985011 As requested, we are sending you notifications with all your account activity. This is your last payment sent to PixWords of £18.00 on December 7 , 2015. Once your payment is processed, your order will be sent as soon as possible. We'll send you a shipment confirmation e-mail to let you know when you can expect delivery. If this wasn't you, someone else might be trying to make an Unauthorised payment Review your order and cancel the payment if necessary. You don't need to reply to this message. For easy access to additional information, visit My Account at ******* Be sure to include your order number, name, and mailing address in the body of your message. Thank you for your order. PayPal ------------------------------------------------------------------------ That link does not go to a Paypal website, also a check of the senders address is also a spoofed one of Paypal and hidden underneath is again a website that is not Paypal. Note the clever way they encourage you to click on the "Unauthorised payment" link. As said, it does not go to Paypal. Nev.

Job done DSTM and thanks for asking. Nev.

Hi OK thanks for the information. It is likely that it can be upgraded to Windows 7, however I would use that compatibility tool that KenB linked to to be sure of that at least. However that may not be enough for the upgrade to Windows 10, you would need a similar upgrade check first as it is common knowledge that some of the older NVidia components and drivers cannot be upgraded to Windows 10. A compatibility check will tell you that. Now for the important part of securing your data. If the disk you can buy is the full Microsoft Windows 7 disk you will definitely need to store all your pictures, documents, music etc elsewhere and also have any programs disks or other media to hand so they can be reinstalled if the upgrade path doesn't work, or if you have to use the custom or clean install method. I seriously recommend using an external hard drive for storing your data as a backup. It is crucial to be sure you do have the correct Windows 7 disk and not any form of so called recovery or rescue disk, it must be the Microsoft issued full Windows 7 disk that you have bought. Also be sure you are installing the correct 32bit or 64bit version to match what your computer can work with, do you know which it is? Here is a full tutorial (Saves me typing) from Microsoft for how to perform the upgrade. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7#T1=tab01 For the full instructions either the XPS or the PDF link and as recommended get the instructions printed so you can follow them through each stage. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. This Windows Home Basic, you didn't say which type, is it Windows XP Home Basic? Also and quite importantly, can you please tell us the make and model of the computer itself. If it is an XP machine and fairly old, the chances are that it cannot be upgraded, however we will know better if you can answer those questions. Nev.

Without specialist test equipment such that a repair shop might have, the only other check of the battery would be to put it in a similar laptop and see if it charges or not. If that isn't possible, a new or known good battery should be tried. If still a problem with a new battery, it will be some part of the charging and voltage regulating circuit, usually part of the motherboard, though some laptops do have a separate circuit card for that. Sorry that may be bad news as I know new laptop batteries are expensive, the only other option is to have it checked out by a repair shop, if however it turns out to be the charging circuit, that can be even more expensive.. Nev.

Hi Mike, there are two basic things to look into first. Remove the battery and will the laptop still work on just the power supply? If so there is nothing wrong with the power supply. Second, put the battery back and remove the power supply plug, does the laptop run OK on the battery and for how long? If not at all or only for a short period, less than half an hour, the battery is dud. After that, there is the possibility of something burned out in the power management system on the mother board. Nev.

Your question has been answered on a different forum. It would be nice if asking any question on multiple forums to let everyone know you have done so, it saves helpers wasting time by giving similar answers to those you get elsewhere, and also can prevent any confusion. Nev.

Hi Joddle, considering that Microsoft said the free upgrade was for a full twelve months as from July 29th 2015, providing you do get back in early July you should be OK. However if after the 29th, unless Microsoft extend the deadline, you will have to pay for the upgrade. Nev.

Still in the device manager and the drivers section, do you have the "Roll back driver" function available? If so try that, the Windows update just might have installed the wrong driver over the old one for your WiFi. Nev.

It's always a help and good idea to print off instructions such as those so you can read through and fully follow each part. The alternative is have it displayed on another computer. Nev.

Hi Greko, considering this is purely a password issue, we cannot advise or help. Have a look at rule 5 here :- http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/11463-New-to-Free-PC-Help-Forum-Rules#.VkJMAb-9upB It is a two fold issue, we may well trust you, however any advise given to get round password issues could also be read and used by any criminal who neads it to get into stolen equipment. Hope you understand. Nev.

Hum, registry problems due to cleaners. This is why we do not recommend any sort of registry cleaners or any program that messes with the registry. OK, have you tried booting up in safe mode, if you can, try a system restore from safe mode. If it then does boot up OK, the command you may be thinking of would possibly be the sfc /scannow To run the sfc /scannow, you need to type cmd.exe into the search box, then right click on the cmd.exe icon in the search pane and select "Run as administrator" You may get the UAC box opens, just click yes or OK to run. Once the black DOS like box opens copy and paste this into it at the flashing cursor :- sfc /scannow then hit the enter key to run it. If nothing wrong is found after that it should be OK., however if it reports it cannot repair some files, run the sfc /scannow command at least three more times as sometimes it needs a couple of runs to repair them. Nev.

Hi Richard, this problem sounds like hardware problems, which could be the hard drive, the RAM or just a simple poor connection. Lets check that last one first. Turn off the computer and turn off the mains power and then remove the side panel. Then one by one pull off every connection and then replace it. Also pull out the RAM sticks and replace, making sure any catches are released first before pulling out. Let us know if that works or not. Nev.

Hi, probably just a poor connection made good by disconnecting and then reconnecting as you have done. Well done and thanks for letting us know. I will mark this as solved. Nev.