Problems with an old laptop I pulled off the shelf

mrgeek said:

" I have Windows Version 1803 - Build Number 17134.199"

This is now two Win10 versions behind and even if you stay on 1803, it's more than a dozen updates behind ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...update-history ) and due for end support in Nov. If it were mine and you don't have a lot of data and programs on it (you shouldn't if you haven't used it in a while) then I would just reformat and I clicked through every link on HP Support Assist. It has taken about 2 hours so far."
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I found the link and started downloading. I am into the download for 2 hours now.........and 40 percent of the way through.
It's going to take a while.

What I did previously, is I went to Settings - Update and Security - Windows Update - and when I was through updating, I double checked and did it again and it said I was up to date.

I don't understand why it did not update to the current version while I was there. UNLESS......it just gave me updates to the version I was previously using.

I don't know...

Attachment 235904

and when you click 'Check for Updates and messages', will retrieve ALL updates and auto install them for you. Download HPSA here - HP Support Assistant | HP(R) Official Site


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^
I did this last night and if I recall correctly, I had 12 messages. Some took longer than others to update.
Then, I went thru every link and every option and updated everything I could find.



"This HP has Google and Duck Duck Go. Would my circumstances improve if I used Firefox or Opera ?"

Those are Search engines, NOT browsers. Install Firefox or use built in Edge in 1803 (look in Start men, lower L corner) and test signing in on yahoo or gmail with your address and password. I'm betting it will work just like your iPhone which probably uses Safari.
Finally, you are way behind on updates. I would just start fresh rather than consume time diagnosing but that's me.

I tried my email using Google and Safari and it worked fine this afternoon.

Thanks for the suggestions.

spunk said:

Press the Windows key +X and choose Device Manager. In the Device Manager, do you have any Yellow flags? If so, these devices need drivers. If there are No yellow flags, you do NOT need to install any drivers, unless your devices are not working correctly. If you need drivers,
You can use HP Support, or just go to the HP Support/Download drivers site and type in your full model # from the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Select your version of Windows 10 (ie) 32 Bit or 64 bit. and download any drivers you need.
When you download a driver, it comes in as a Zipped file. It Unzips to a place on the C:\ drive. Usually C:\SWTools or somesuch. Take note of where it goes. If a driver fails, you can browse to that location, open the folder and find Setup.exe to manually start the driver install.
To make sure your OS is in good shape, go to Settings/Update & Security and run All Windows Updates.
Also, press the Windows key+X and choose Powershell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) here type SFC /scannow.
this will replace any missing system files.
Finally, you can manually upgrade your system to the latest Windows 10 version 1903 by going here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

I did not see any flags of any color...

I ran the Dell Assistant Update yesterday afternoon and it stopped at 99%. I thought it might be Installing so I let it run all night long but it was still at 99% this morning. So, I restarted the computer and re-started the download from 0%.

I ran the Scannow option and it said that 'it might take a while'.
I did not put the period at the end, I thought it was a part of the sentence, not the program.
I resent it with the period and I did not get the previous warning. I got a reply explaining scannow and scanfile etc...
It was 'sitting there' when I left this morning. I 'll check to see if it has done any moving when I return tonight.

Thanks for the ideas......

I re-ran Windows update and this time Windows downloaded properly. It probably took 2 hours to download everything and 20 minutes to install all the updates. I still don't understand why I was not able to download them from going to Settings - Update and Security .........and had to go to the Microsoft website. Unless, like I remarked earlier; that the Settings function is used to update the version I am using and not used to update a new version.

Then, I ran the Windows X - SFC/Scannow. a second time and it worked fine. It ran a lot of script with some basic messages and I thought that nothing had happened. Then, about 20 minutes later I looked down in the corner, and there was a message for more updates.

My email is functioning properly now.

This laptop should function fine until I can find another one I like ....and find it on sale ......but I am in no rush to do it now.

Thanks for all the help !

Glad you got sorted out completely rather than trying to slog through diagnosing errors. Now, if you ever want to repair the version that you're on, you can go to Settings and use the 'Reset this PC' option. Are you now current, on 1903 ? Post your new Version-Build info and please mark the topic Solved so others who have a similar problem to yours, can find this thread easier thru Search. Cheers !.

mrgeek said:

Glad you got sorted out completely rather than trying to slog through diagnosing errors. Now, if you ever want to repair the version that you're on, you can go to Settings and use the 'Reset this PC' option. Are you now current, on 1903 ? Post your new Version-Build info and please mark the topic Solved so others who have a similar problem to yours, can find this thread easier thru Search. Cheers !.

It seems to be current.
I have Version 1903 ( OS Build 18362. 145 )

Thanks for everyone's help !